49ers sign undrafted receiver after he posted his own highlight video on Twitter

A note for all you NFL hopefuls out there: Always have a highlight reel. If former East Carolina University receiver Isaiah Winstead is any indication, it might be the thing that gets you signed.

During his final year at ECU, Winstead hauled in 88 catches for 1,085 yards and 6 touchdowns. While that performance was impressive, Winstead was not selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. To make matters worse, Winstead failed to get a camp invite or a undrafted rookie deal following the draft.

He didn't agree with that decision and decided to post his own highlight reel to Twitter hoping someone from an NFL team would see it and rectify that mistake.

The gambit worked. Days after posting the video, which has been viewed over 4.7 million times, Winstead signed a deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

Sometimes, betting on yourself pays off.

Though the highlight reel got him signed, Winstead will need to prove a lot more if he hopes to make the 49ers' final roster. Undrafted free agents are guaranteed nothing in the NFL, and Winstead will have to outwork a number of more established and higher-drafted players to keep his NFL dream alive.

Then again, Winstead has already defied the odds by getting signed in the first place. And if those highlights really do transfer to the practice field, Winstead will prove 31 NFL teams missed on him.

The 49ers might have too, if not for Winstead's willingness to advertise his skills.