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Around this time three years ago, Colin Kaepernick was getting ready to start at quarterback for the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

Kaepernick would throw for 302 yards in a loss to the Ravens in that game and then helped the 49ers to the NFC championship game the next season. Kaepernick signed a contract extension before the 2014 season, but the results haven’t been as good for him or the team over the last two seasons.

That’s led to questions about the quarterback’s future with the 49ers and his suitability as a long-term starter, but the man who installed Kaepernick as a starter midway through his second season with the Niners is still a believer.

“He’ll flourish,” Jim Harbaugh said, via CSNBayArea.com. “He’s a great talent and one of the ultimate competitors, so he’ll flourish.”

While Kaepernick’s play slipped before Harbaugh and the 49ers parted ways, he still looked much better with Harbaugh than he did without him last year. A reunion isn’t possible with Harbaugh back in the college ranks at Michigan, which means someone else will need to have the same belief in Kaepernick’s future for his career to get back on track.