Happy campers flock to Brock Purdy in 49ers QB’s appearance at Iowa State

A month before 49ers training camp convenes, Brock Purdy returned to his college roots in Ames, Iowa to host a youth football camp — and to give back for that region’s support of his formative years.

“They’ve followed me and they still have my back,” Purdy told reporters Saturday on Iowa State’s practice field “For them to grow up and see me playing on the field, that could be them one day. So, for me, I get choked up when I see it. It’s special.”

Purdy spent four seasons at Iowa State before the 49ers selected him with the 262nd and final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s guided the 49ers to the past two NFC Championship Games and last season’s Super Bowl, where he repeatedly put them ahead in an eventual overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Two months ago, Purdy hosted his first youth camp at Levi’s Stadium, attracting 650 kids, as was the case at Saturday’s session in Iowa.

“It’s such a hometown feel,” Purdy said, according to TheGazzette.com. “It’s a college town, but you see everybody again, and everyone’s just thriving, and everyone just loves each other and they help each other out — and they helped me understand who I am as a person in this life.

“I mean, those are crucial years, from high school to college in terms of understanding what you believe and what you want to do with life. I found that here, so it’s always nice to come back.”

Purdy grew up in the Phoenix suburb of Queen Creek, Arizona, before going to Iowa State and becoming the Cyclones’ all-time passing leader. “I told Brock this morning, ‘Once this was you,’ ” Purdy’s father, Shawn, told Iowa’s Local 5 news. “He does such a good job of giving his best to the kids and they’ll remember this for a lifetime.”

After undergoing elbow-ligament repair last year, Purdy passed for a franchise record of 4,280 yards and became their first Pro Bowl quarterback since Jeff Garcia in 2022. He took part throughout the 49ers’ just-completed offseason program while most offensive starters rested or rehabilitated their bodies.

As for the next step in his NFL development, Purdy pointed to mastering coach Kyle Shanahan’s playbook. “And then physically, just my mobility and hopefully being able to translate that to being quicker and more elusive and things like that,” Purdy said. “I can always continue to get better in that regard.”

The 49ers report to training camp July 23.