Receivers, tight ends and running backs all turned in eye-catching receptions throughout the 49ers three-day minicamp.
Daniel Kilgore, however, provided the most memorable reception of the veteran camp.
The third-year offensive lineman out-leaped a pair of defenders to haul in a touchdown catch on a failed field goal attempt. When a low snap was too hard for Andy Lee to handle, the 49ers punter picked up the ball, rolled to his right and lofted a 20-yard pass to his primary target for failed snaps.
"It wasn't designed," Kilgore explained in a recent appearance on 49ers.com's Niner Talk podcast. "It's something we have in the book, precautionary. Bad snap, I roll out. Andy had the faith of throwing up the ball."
At 6-foot-3, 308 pounds, Kilgore hasn't been able to catch any passes in his 49ers career. But the field goal touchdown catch allowed him to make a standout play in the second day of the minicamp.
It was even more enjoyable because Kilgore caught the desperation pass over a pair of defenders, Ian Williams and Parys Haralson.
"We all went up for it, I got one hand on it and finally as I was falling into the end zone, I looked over my left shoulder and there it was in my hands so I grabbed on and didn't drop it," Kilgore detailed. "It set the tone for the second day of minicamp and the offensive line, they really appreciated it."
Kilgore accentuated the play by bringing out a well-known touchdown celebration.
"I acted like I pulled out the Sharpie," Kilgore shared. "I signed the ball and then I threw it over the Parys."
The touchdown catch wasn't the only noticeable play from Kilgore at minicamp. The former fifth-round draft pick mixed in at center with the first-team offense. Kilgore felt the snaps were a valuable experience.
"I take full advantage of my opportunity and came out every day with the best attitude I could have," Kilgore said. "It was a great time. The past three days as an offensive unit, we got so much in and we worked great with each other."
Kilgore is looking to push for a starting role in 2013 and will continue training hard over the next month to ready himself for training camp.
"I want to come in and compete," Kilgore said. "I want to be the starter. With me having that mindset, I know it's going to push Jonathan Goodwin to work even harder.
"At the end of the day, it helps us all."
Kilgore will spend time with family this weekend to celebrate Father's Day back home in Kingsport, Tenn., and then he'll get right back to preparing for the 2013 season.
"As offensive linemen, it's critical to work on your technique day in and day out," said Kilgore, who will also continue mastering the 49ers offensive playbook. "I'll continue to study."
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