The San Francisco 49ers announced on Friday they have re-signed LB Mark Nzeocha to a three-year deal and DB Antone Exum Jr. to a one-year deal. Additionally, the team released DL Cassius Marsh.
Nzeocha (6-3, 240) has appeared in 26 games (three starts) over the last two seasons (2017-18) with the 49ers and registered 17 tackles, one sack, one pass defensed and one forced fumble to go along with 11 tackles on special teams. San Francisco originally signed him off of the Dallas Cowboys practice squad on September 25, 2017.
In 2018, he registered career highs in games played (16), games started (three) and tackles (17) while picking up the first sack, pass defensed and forced fumble of his career. He finished the season ranked tied for first on the team with seven special teams tackles and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
A 29-year-old native of Ansbach, Bavaria in Germany, Nzeocha attended the University of Wyoming. He appeared in 39 games (26 starts) and finished his career with 207 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, 2.0 sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception.
Exum Jr. (6-0, 219), a five-year veteran, originally joined the 49ers after signing with the team on November 7, 2017. Throughout his career (2014-18), he has played in 44 games (10 starts) and registered 58 tackles, 1.0 sack, one interception (returned for a touchdown), two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and seven passes defensed. Last season with San Francisco, Exum Jr. appeared 15 games (seven starts) and registered career highs in tackles (37), passes defensed (seven), interceptions (one, which was returned for a touchdown) and sacks (1.0), while adding one forced fumble.
A 28-year-old native of Glen Allen, VA, Exum Jr. attended Virginia Tech where he appeared 44 games (35 starts), including starts in the final 30 games he in which he played. He finished his career with 186 tackles, 36 passes defensed, six interceptions, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 1.5 sacks and earned All-ACC honors two times (Honorable Mention – 2011 & Second-Team – 2012).
Marsh (6-4, 245) appeared in all 16 games (three starts) and registered 37 tackles, 5.5 sacks and one fumble recovery last season with the 49ers.
