Question about 49ers' Kaleb Ramsey: Can he stay healthy?

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At the NFL combine in February, 49ers defensive tackle Kaleb Ramsey had 36 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, which ranked second among all the prospects in Indianapolis.

Unfortunately for Ramsey, he ranked first in another category: time spent with the combine's medical staff.

After he missed games at Boston College with a concussion and ankle, hip, foot, calf and hamstring injuries, Ramsey spent six hours undergoing various exams.

"My medical file was probably about that thick," Ramsey said, placing his index finger and thumb a few inches apart. "It was a long day to say the least ... I looked around about 10 at night, and I was the last one in there."

Thanks to his War-and-Peace-sized medical dossier, Ramsey was also among the last players drafted in May. The 49ers selected him in the seventh round, No. 243 overall, with hopes he can stay healthy after injuries marred a once-promising college career.

Before Ramsey was granted a sixth year of college eligibility after injuries forced him to miss 21 of 24 games in 2011 and 12. He also was limited to seven games as a true freshman in 2008. Ramsey played alongside nose tackle B.J. Raji and defensive end Ron Brace, who were both top-40 picks in the 2009 draft.

At the time, it appeared Ramsey (6-foot-3, 285 pounds), an all-state basketball player at Laurel Highland (Pa.) High, would also become another high-end draft pick, thanks to his blend of strength and athleticism.

"His true freshman year, he was playing with some very good players, and he was right there competing alongside them," said Old Dominion assistant head coach Jeff Comissiong, who was Ramsey's position coach at Boston College from 2008 through '12.

"That, right there, tells you something about his talent. Up until the injuries really started to take effect, there were a lot of people looking at him and saying, 'Wow, this kid is going to be really damn good.' And he is a good player when he's on the field. A very good player."

Kaleb Ramsey was a seventh-round draft pick after twice getting a medical redshirt at Boston College. Kaleb Ramsey was a seventh-round draft pick after twice getting a medical redshirt at Boston College. Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Question about 49ers' Kaleb Ramsey: Can he stay healthy? 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

In 2009, Ramsey missed five games with a sprained ankle. In the spring of 2011, he underwent shoulder surgery to finally repair a torn labrum he sustained in high school. That fall, he missed the final 11 games with plantar fasciitis. In 2012, he missed the final 10 games with a torn calf muscle. Last season, he missed three games with a hamstring injury and couldn't participate in drills at the combine because of a pulled calf muscle.

He spent so much time at Boston College - he began his senior season three times - that 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said the team's scouts developed Ramsey fatigue.

"They were finally glad that this was the last time they had to watch him at the college level and put a grade on him," Baalke said. "Because in all honesty, I think we have graded him for three straight years."

Said Ramsey of his extended college career: "I was at home (this winter) and I felt like 'OK, I'm going to going back to school soon for spring ball.' Then I thought, 'Wait, I'm not in school anymore.' It was kind of weird."

Ramsey's background has made for an interesting NFL rookie bio. He'll turn 25 on June 20, making him almost four months older than right tackle Anthony Davis, a four-year NFL veteran. Ramsey earned a sociology degree two years ago and is pursuing a master's degree in criminal justice. After his football career, he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father, Jeff, a retired police detective.

Ramsey is a long shot to make the 53-man roster on a team filled with capable defensive linemen.

"I feel like I'm the dark horse," Ramsey said. "Being a seventh-round pick, I don't think it expressed the potential I have. My goal is to prove a lot of people wrong and just take advantage of this opportunity."