Lawrence Okoye is set for the next step in his NFL career . Since swapping the discus for the defensive line , mentor Jim Tomsula said the 6ft 6in man mountain has adapted to the sport well , but is set to face a steep learning curve in his third year with the San Francisco 49ers . 'The development has been significant . But he ’ s playing a position that ’ s not like anything else that he ’ s done . So everything is completely brand new and that ’ s a hard transition . ' 'This year , he 's going to be in there against guys that are going to make the other team . Let 's see where we 're at , ' head coach Tomsula said at the NFL owners meeting . Lawrence Okoye faces a battle to make the 53-man roster and Jim Tomsula is keen to know where he stands . Jim Tomsula spoke about Lawrence Okoye 's future and was gushing about Jarryd Hayne 's NFL hopes . After signing as an undrafted free agent in 2013 , Okoye 's first year in the Bay Area was injury-hit . Last season he played against third and fourth-stringers in pre-season before being signed to the practice squad . Despite Tomsula 's expertise as a defensive line coach , 23-year-old former Olympian Okoye faces a battle to make the 49ers final 53-man roster due to enormous depth at the position . Even without the likes of Justin Smith and Ray McDonald , Tomsula reckons it 's the best positional group he 's had in his eight years with the franchise . Tomsula also spoke of fellow NFL-convert Jarryd Hayne , who joined the 49ers from Australia 's NRL as a free agent earlier this month . The 49ers plan to use Hayne as a running back but Tomsula would not rule out using him as a returner , and spoke of his excitement at working with the 27-year-old . 'He ’ s a guy used to being downfield catching a ball with people running at him , ' Tomsula said . 'He ’ s used to making tackles in open spaces . You ’ ve got a guy used to carrying the ball , catching the ball and avoiding . Obviously , with the explosive qualities that he has , you can ’ t help but be excited . '
Okoye enters his third year with the 49ers and is expected to be competing against better offensive lineman . Head coach bush has only defended his position against third and fourth - string offensive lineman late in pre - season training . ' Let 's see where we 're at , ' Tomsula said of the former discus thrower . He also spoke in glowing terms about Jarryd Hayne and praised the Australian 's ' explosive qualities '