Tim Drevno is no longer with the 49ers, but he’s constantly watching film of one of San Francisco’s current players in his position as the offensive line coach at USC.

That player: Rookie center Marcus Martin, a third-round pick from USC, where he played two seasons at guard before finishing at center in 2013.

Drevno, the 49ers’ co-offensive line coach from 2011-13 who arrived at USC in January, met Martin before the 20-year-old embarked on the pre-draft process and came away impressed with his maturity. He’s also been impressed by what he’s seen on film: This season, in preparation for an upcoming opponent USC played in 2013, Drevno has studied film of that previous game.

As a result, he’s seen plenty of tape of Martin, who will take his first NFL snaps when he starts Sunday against the Rams at Levi’s Stadium.

Here are the highlights of a phone interview with Drevno:

Were you able to meet Marcus when you got to USC?

TD: He came and introduced himself when I got hired here. He was going through the process of getting ready for the draft — I think he was heading out to the combine – and he kind of asked me about the process. In talking to him you could tell that he was different type guy in terms of he was very driven. He had that edge to be really good at what he does. He’s a real pro and he’s going to turn into a great pro. You could just tell there was something different about him.

On the field, what are the qualities he possess that could make him special?

TD: Well, No. 1, around this facility, everyone thinks the world of him. He was a tough guy. Tremendous work ethic. Very intelligent. Very good football awareness. You can see that watching film on him now. For example, we’re going to play Washington State this week and I’m watching him play against them last year. You can tell he’s got really good lower-body girth, he’s got great initial quickness, can snap the ball and get low pad leverage. He does a nice job of bringing his feet and finishing blocks. You can tell that he fits the NFL and the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive game plan. They’ve got a really good football player. He’s going to develop very well for them. You can just tell.

What makes him a good fit with the 49ers?

TD: You see that they’ve drafted really well with the 49ers. Trent Baalke has done an outstanding job, coach (Jim) Harbaugh, (offensive line coach) Mike Solari. They go and get and these big, quick, athletic offensive linemen that have the measurables: the arm length, and the hand size and all those things. Marcus fits that mold. You can see when you turn on the film. You see the initial quickness, you can see that he brings his feet, he’s physical at the point of attack, he can anchor on pass protection. What the 49ers do offensively, as far as the different run schemes and the different protection schemes that they have, he’s able to handle all those different moving parts. You see that on film when you’re watching here. He’s making all the calls and I imagine he’ll be doing the same thing for them up there.

He’s only 20 years old. Can you tell that in watching him, on or off the field?

TD: No. It’s just like when I sat down and talked to him — it’s just the tremendous confidence that he has in his ability. He has tremendous level of maturity. At any level, you’re going to get better every year if he care about your craft. And you can see he has that characteristic. He has that perseverance in him that he wants to be the best at what he does.

Here’s another thing: Now, in the NFL and college, too, there’s are a lot of people running 3-4 defenses. And with that nose tackle that center is so important in being able to anchor the middle of the offensive line. Not to take away from the left tackle in the National Football League – like a guy like Joe Staley – but those centers are so important because they’re out there directing traffic.