Third annual 49ers/USA Football/MaxPreps Media Day goes the distance

Video: Highlights of 2015 Media Day at Levi's Stadium
See all the activities including an impassioned speech from then 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula. 

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Some shared a lot.

"This football program is a huge part of my life," Encinal (Alameda, Calif.) incoming senior quarterback/receiver/defensive back David Hamilton said. "This is what I want to do someday – play in the NFL. I want to go to college. This is the biggest part of my life and coach (Ricky Rodriguez) is a father figure to me." Most got right to the point and gave the media what it wanted: Roster sizes, returning starters and expectations heading into the 2017 season.

"We're going all the way," said about a half-dozen players.

All seemed to agree that the third annual High School Media Day presented by USA Football and MaxPreps and hosted by the San Francisco 49ers Wednesday at Levi's Stadium was a big success.

Thirty-two teams from around the Bay Area and the Sac-Joaquin Section took part in the five-hour event that combined tackling demonstrations by USA football and equipment fitting, along with a media training video that is viewed by all NFL players.

Local media peppered about four players from each team along with their coaches about their upcoming seasons and bigger-picture questions about, among other things, the state of football, the role of coaches and effectiveness of 7-on-7 leagues during the summer. Perhaps the most lively of the 32 interviews came from California School for the Deaf (Fremont, Calif.) which last season was featured wice on ESPN.

"We don't let our deafness be barriers," 5-foot-11, 245-pound running back and linebacker Calel Aramboles signed passionately (an interpreter relayed the words).

Aramboles rushed for 841 yards and 10 touchdowns last season as a freshman, helping CSD to an 11-2 record. "We can do anything."

Spezio Harmount, a 5-11, 175-pound incoming senior, definitely proved that. He set a single-season school record last season with 27 combined touchdowns rushing and receiver.

"It is my responsibility to teach our younger players how we play and to play with sportsmanship," Harmount said. "They're our future leaders. I want them to be better than me."

Every coach spent a good portion of time during opening remarks, thanking the 49ers, USA Football and MaxPreps for putting on the event.

Santa Clara (Calif.) head coach Hank Roberts was the most vocal in his praise for the 49ers, noting their resources and treatment of his team. The Bruins have played three games at Levi's Stadium.

"Nothing but first class," he said.