Beep-beep: 49ers rookie OLB Eli Harold has been quick study

Three years ago, then-Virginia freshman Eli Harold saw a picture of an NFL player he was eager to emulate each time he powered on his iPad.

An image of Aldon Smith served as the background on Harold’s device, but his desire to mirror the pass-rushing skills of the 49ers’ All-Pro outside linebacker was at the forefront of his thoughts.

“He was a guy — I felt like I had similarities to him,” Harold said. “He’s a long, athletic guy and I really felt like I could be there one day where his success level is. A guy I could really model myself after.”

Harold relayed that to reporters in May after the 49ers selected him in the third round of the NFL draft.