Earlier this week, we pointed out the pipeline that runs from Williams-Brice Stadium all the way to San Francisco following the 49ers acquiring three South Carolina Gamecocks during last weekend’s NFL draft and the free agency that followed.

We’re not the only ones who noticed, and Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com got some answers from 49ers general manager Trent Baalke on the matter.

The 49ers have now drafted a former Gamecock for three straight straight years and four out of five, taking five former South Carolina players in that span and signing another in free agency after going undrafted.

For a quick refresher, here are the former Gamecocks that the Niners acquired through the draft:

  • CB Chris Culliver, third round, 2011
  • RB Marcus Lattimore, fourth round, 2013
  • WR Bruce Ellington, fourth round, 2014
  • RB Mike Davis, fourth round, 2015
  • TE Busta Anderson, seventh round, 2015
  • QB Dylan Thompson, undrafted free agent, 2015

As it turns out, the pipeline has to do with Baalke’s appreciation for Steve Spurrier’s coaching.

Here’s what Baalke said in Gutierrez’s article:

“Well, you know they’re going to be well-coached. They’re going to come into the league, especially on the offensive side of the ball, and that’s nothing against the defense, but on the offensive side of the ball you know they’re going to come into the league well-versed. They’re going to be able to pick up the information.

“They’re going to usually, almost always, be able to on play three downs, if it’s a (running) back. And they’re prepared.”

As it turns out, Baalke’s career once intersected with Spurrier’s; the two were in Washington together during Spurrier’s turn coaching the Redskins, when Baalke was a scout for the team, per Gutierrez.

Spurrier’s pass-happy ways benefit his running backs when they get to the NFL, Baalke told ESPN. The Niners have drafted two Gamecocks running backs since 2013: Marcus Lattimore in 2013 (retired before playing for San Francisco) and Mike Davis this year.

“Obviously, (Spurrier) throws the ball all over the place,” Baalke said to ESPN. “So, if you’re a running back in that system, you’ve got to be able to catch the ball and you’ve got to be able to pass (block).”

Having a prior relationship with the coach of a college program doesn’t hurt, either. Baalke said he gets a little “inside information” from Spurrier that helps move South Carolina players up or down on the 49ers draft board.