Alex Smith raves about 'real deal' Brock Purdy: 'He's going to be playing a long time at a high level'

Alex Smith is a massive fan of Brock Purdy. The former longtime 49ers quarterback joined Willard and Dibs Thursday and sang the praises of the young quarterback. He, Purdy, Steve Young and Jeff Garcia will all chat on a May 16 panel at the Dwight Clark Legacy Series.

How high is Smith on Purdy? Very.

"It's the real deal," Smith said. "Brock is the real deal. I mean, I think for everybody out there trying to say he's a product of the situation. Listen, is Kyle a great offensive coordinator? Of course. Are their great weapons there? Yes. But half the league you could say that about...

"Accuracy throwing under pressure with a defender in proximity of him, passing outside the pocket, throwing the ball downfield. I mean Brock was number one in the NFL in about every category there was. This guy does it all and then you just turn the tape and the eye test, he passes it as well."

He highlighted the fact that Purdy possesses what Smith sees as a quality that can't be taught: fearlessness in the pocket. He said that guys "either have it or they don't," and that Purdy consistently hangs tough against 300-plus-pound linemen.

Smith was asked if he sees greatness in Purdy.

"Oh yeah," Smith said. "... I think the thing that jumped out to me that is incredibly elite, again, I think this guy has more courage than anybody in the NFL. And I know that maybe doesn't sound like a lot, but standing in the pocket with all these these guys trying to kill you, like, there's so many guys that don't have that.

"And man, to be un-rattled and unfazed and keep your attention downfield. I mean this guy can beat you from the pocket, one, and then obviously I think he showed everybody what a good athlete he is when he does get a chance to use his legs so yes, I mean this guy's gonna be doing it a long time. I expect no different, only continue to keep ascending this next year."

Listen to the full interview above.