You have questions about Charlotte 49ers football, and The Observer has the answers

The opening weekend of the college football season is just over a week away, and soon any changes the Charlotte 49ers have made on the defensive side of the ball will become apparent.

For now, plenty of questions remain, especially because so many new faces dot the 49ers’ roster, and many questions have yet to be answered ahead of Will Healy’s fourth season as head coach.

After addressing all three levels of the defense via the transfer portal and with the sixth-ranked recruiting class in Conference USA, a solidified defense remains Charlotte’s biggest need. Getting it right will undoubtedly be the difference between competing for a conference title and falling below .500 for the third season in a row.

In an attempt to answer as much as possible, here is a mailbag full of answers to some of those burning questions:

Rebuilt defensive line

Tintin asked: How has the defensive line been addressed? What has been done about the poor tackling?

Healy brought in defensive line coach Brian Baker, who adds nearly 40 years of coaching experience, including notable stops at Alabama (2019), the Carolina Panthers (‘09-’10), the Dallas Cowboys (‘11-’12), and most recently the Indianapolis Colts (‘20-’21).

Baker has rejuvenated a defensive line that allowed 208 rushing yards per game a season ago. This group returns starters Jalar Holley, Kofi Wardlow and Markees Watts, and added Central Michigan transfer Amir Siddiq in the offseason. The development of the underclassmen is what will to help the 49ers show true improvement 2022.

Miguel “Migo” Jackson’s improvement has jumped off the page early, and although he suffered a minor injury early in training camp, the staff expects him to be healthy for the team’s first matchup against Florida Atlantic. Charlotte also added former Tennessee commit Isaac Washington to the fold. Washington has the frame of an SEC player, but his game is currently extremely raw, and he has seen consistent reps with the second and third units.

As far as the tackling goes, Charlotte has had the most live reps that I’ve seen through training camp since Healy took the job in 2019. The team has stayed relatively healthy throughout, but the intensity hasn’t lacked to this point.

Offensive line shuffle

Michael asked: How is the offensive line shaping up and who is stepping up so far in the unit?

The offensive line returns three full-time starters and a part-time starter from the 2021 season. The current first group is:

Jaxon Hughes (LT), Panda Askew (LG), Ashton Gist (C), Jon Jacobs (RG), TJ Moore (RT).

The starters on the offensive line are solid, however, the quality of depth behind them gets dicey. Rutgers transfer Matt Rosso has been solid as the backup left tackle, and Jonny King has seen plenty of reps as the first-team center, although Gist will be the guy when the season starts. Gist was the No. 1 center in JUCO before committing to Charlotte in 2020, where he played guard for two seasons with Hunter Kelly serving as the man in the middle.

With Kelly moving on, Gist is back in his natural position with his best friend, Askew, to his left. Moore has been in and out of practice with nagging injuries but is expected to be ready to go for the season opener. At 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, Moore has the most NFL-ready body on the offensive line and must stay healthy throughout the season to play his way to the next level.

Future at quarterback

Sal asked: What is the plan next year at quarterback after Reynolds leaves?

This is the million-dollar question. Currently, Texas A&M transfer James Foster and redshirt freshman Xavier Williams serve as the backup and third-string quarterbacks, respectively. Verbal commit Sean Boyle (Class of 2023) has impressed at Charlotte Catholic High, but will likely fall behind the experience of Foster and Williams.

I would expect the 49ers to attack the transfer portal for one, potentially two quarterbacks to add to the battle as neither Foster nor Williams has shown the promise to perform consistently in Conference USA, let alone the American Athletic Conference. There isn’t a clear answer right now.

Running back rotation

CLT fan asked: Styles of each running back? Expecting a rotation or are one or two standing out?

Absolutely expecting a rotation at running back. Shadrick Byrd, Calvin Camp, ChaVon McEachern and Henry Rutledge have been interchangeable at practice, with Byrd and Camp running with the first team most often. The room is nearly identical to a season ago. There isn’t necessarily a back that will demand 15-plus carries a game, but multiple options depending on who has the hot hand.

Byrd is the most explosive player in the room and is on the watch list for the Hornung award, for the most versatile player. He’s extremely effective in the screen game, catching out of the backfield and putting his head down for extra yards.

Camp is the veteran. He’s got the explosiveness to burn a defense and the patience in the backfield to allow his blockers time to work. McEachern is the change-of-pace back. He’s smooth with the ball and is absolutely a third-down back. Rutledge is the youngest in the room, but he’s shown plenty of power between the tackles through training camp. Johnny Martin is a freshman who will be solid in the next couple of seasons but must wait his turn.

Tight end targets

Andrew asked: Do you see Charlotte targeting the tight ends more this season?

Absolutely, Charlotte has multiple vertical threat options for the first time. Taylor Thompson has recovered from his ACL injury and is back in the starting lineup. The 49ers have shown plenty of 12 personnel, featuring two tight ends with Austin Peay transfer Eugene Minter Jr. serving as the second tight end. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Minter is a converted wide receiver and has a knack for finding the soft spot in the defense and getting vertical. Minter has been very vocal at practice and could potentially fill the leadership role that Ryan Carriere provided in his six years at Charlotte.

Colin Weber, Bryce Kennon and Jake Clemons have been in the rotation, with the latter becoming a force in the run-blocking aspect. Jake McTaggart is buried in the room, but expect the 6-foot-7, 245-pound freshman to find his way onto the field later in the season. McTaggart was ranked as the 21st best player in North Carolina coming out of high school.

Skill position strength

Mathis asked: On paper, does Charlotte have the most dynamic skill position group in the entire conference?

I expect the receivers to be the best group in the conference. The running backs still have some proving to do, posting just one 100-yard game a season ago.

At wideout, the 49ers have two Biletnikoff award candidates, Grant DuBose (2022), and Victor Tucker (2020), as well as the 2021 C-USA Freshman of the Year, Elijah Spencer. Sophomore Jairus “NoNo” Mack and Wake Forest transfer Nolan Groulx will see time, and Charlotte added Georgia and Old Dominion transfer Trey Blount late in the offseason. Blount has impressed the coaching staff early, making plays with the second and third teams during last Saturday’s scrimmage.

DuBose has been unstoppable through spring practice and training camp and has the potential to be the highest 49er drafted to the NFL if he continues his upward trajectory. Tucker is a savvy veteran with game-breaking abilities. Spencer is the wild card. Defenses will have to pick their poison.

Quick hits

Emily asked: If Coach Healy was an energy drink, which one would he be and why?

Healy’s wife, Emily, went with Spark, Red Bull or Monster. I’m going to ride with Red Bull because it gives him wings, wings that help him fly out of the box and draw sideline infraction penalties.

Joseph asked: Are there any true freshmen who will make an impact, especially Aveon Grose?

Watch out for linebacker Reid Williford. With the 49ers replacing all three starting linebackers from a season ago, there are a lot of reps up for the taking, and Williford is progressing extremely fast. He intercepted two passes during an 11-on-11 session last week and has made his fair share of big hits during training camp.

Grose has seen reps with the third team and has a lot of ground to make up before he will find time in the secondary.

Ed asked: How is the kicker competition progressing to replace Jonathan Cruz?

Tennessee State transfer Antonio Zita, 5-star Kohl’s kicker Braeden McAlister, and redshirt freshman Aiden Laros are currently in a three-headed battle for the kicker position. Both Healy and special teams coach Tyler Hancock have spoken highly of Zita’s consistency, McAlister’s leg strength and Laros’ flexibility to play multiple positions.

Zita’s consistency as a fifth-year senior has won the battle through the first two weeks of camp, but the staff is pushing for McAlister to improve his accuracy and become the guy. There will be a starter named ahead of the season opener.