Mekhi Blackmon reveals he formally visited San Francisco 49ers

Former USC star Mekhi Blackmon has met with the San Francisco 49ers, he said during this week’s NFL scouting combine. General manager John Lynch was in the meeting, as well, Niners Nation’s Jordan Elliott reported.

Blackmon went to high school at Menlo-Atherton in San Mateo, Calif. — less than 30 miles away from Levi Stadium. He grew up a 49ers fan, and it’s appropriate he met with them during the pre-draft process.

Blackmon is coming off an impressive 2022 season for USC after transferring from Colorado. He totaled 66 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and three interceptions to help lead the Trojans defense and earn a Senior Bowl invitation. He’ll now wait to see if he hears his name called in the NFL Draft, which is set for April 27-29 in Kansas City.

Todd McShay: Caleb Williams would be the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft

Caleb Williams would be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft if he was eligible, according to ESPN’s Todd McShay.

The USC quarterback, along with North Carolina’s Drake Maye, trump this year’s draft class but neither will be in the pros until 2024. McShay, along with former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah and an anonymous NFC executive, said Williams and Maye are far above the current crop.

But both guys have big college aspirations in 2023, such as team titles and Heisman trophies.

“Caleb, he’d be the first pick in this draft,” McShay said. “And a trade up would be warranted if Chicago didn’t want him.”

Jeremiah was of the mind that Williams and Maye were far and away better than the top prospects in 2023.

“I would say it’s not even debatable,” Jeremiah added. “I mean, I’ve seen enough of both those kids. … Both those guys are very special players.”