Charlotte 49ers football: Five storylines to watch as training camp opens this week

It’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the Charlotte 49ers’ football program as training camp nears, but not due to the lack of retooling a 3-9 roster and staff ahead of Biff Poggi’s second season as head coach.

Far from last year, when Poggi’s claims took Charlotte by storm with three questions, three wins, and three months of continued frustration for a fan base that hasn’t been in contention for a bowl appearance in as many years, Poggi has been rather quiet, including an absence at the American Athletic Conference’s media day in Arlington, Texas, last week due to personal reasons.

This offseason, Poggi has put together an impressive staff bolstered by the additions of associate head coach and tight ends coach Tim Brewster, Hall of Famer and defensive analyst Dre Bly, and wide receivers coach Jason Barnes, who was promoted after serving as an offensive analyst in 2023.

With a new quarterback, new faces at skill positions and a revamped secondary, Charlotte’s 2024 roster is trending towards suiting Poggi’s vision and scheme — unlike a season ago.

Here are five training camp storylines to watch for the 49ers:

New quarterback, new bodyguards

With Poggi investing in Florida transfer Max Brown as Charlotte’s quarterback for the future, the former offensive lineman himself knew that keeping the 6-foot-3, 225-pound signal-caller upright was priority number one. And Brown has been equally as impressed with Charlotte’s front line.

“You rarely see people getting extra work after practice, but getting extra work as a whole offensive line is extremely rare,” Brown said on the Highway 49 podcast. “That talks about the camaraderie that they have with each other. They surprise me each week.”

Center Jonny King returns as Charlotte’s lone starter from last season, where the 49ers’ offense mustered just 3.8 yards per carry (10th in AAC) and surrendered 31 sacks (11th in AAC). To fit Charlotte’s ideal style of play, the 49ers added five transfers on the offensive line with Power Four experience, headlined by guards Mitchell Mayes (Clemson) and Jordon Moko (Texas A&M).

While position battles will take shape as the pads are added during training camp, those in the mix for starting spots include King, Mayes, Moko, Jordan Herman (Florida), Tyler Gibson (Georgia Tech), Mo Clipper Jr. (Tennessee) and Jonny Hassard (UMass).

Miller’s moment

It’s no secret that Charlotte’s offense held them back a season ago. With offensive coordinator Mike Miller returning for his second season with the program, there’s increased pressure on the 49ers’ passing attack taking a big leap with their investment at quarterback.

In Miller’s first season, Charlotte was the poster child for questionable decision-making with a quarterback carousel, timeout management, untimely substitution packages, and down-and-distance execution. For reference, Charlotte threw for more than 200 passing yards on two occasions and converted just 24% of their third down attempts a season ago — both ranking among the worst in the nation.

Despite early-season comments of potential demotions, limited playbooks, and schematic simplification, Poggi elected to retain Miller. Now, with a full offseason with the program, returning weapons, and a new quarterback, 2024 is Miller’s moment. Can Charlotte score at least 25 points per game? If so, the 49ers will be in good shape, as no other bowl-eligible team in the AAC averaged less.

Plus receivers?

After struggling to create separation, and rarely being rewarded with an accurate pass when open a season ago, Charlotte’s receiving corps has a chance to be a plus with a mix of returnees and newcomers with plenty to prove.

Redshirt junior Jairus Mack led Charlotte with 25 catches for 453 yards, including two games of 100-plus receiving yards. Mack ranked second in the AAC and 24th in the FBS with 18.12 yards per catch, emerging as Charlotte’s speedster and deep threat. With the addition of Justin Olsen (6-3, Middle Tennessee), Isaiah Myers (6-5, Independence C.C.) and O’Mega Blake (6-2, South Carolina) through the portal, Charlotte prioritized height and can utilize returnees Mack (5-10) and Duane Thomas (5-8) in the slot against linebackers and safeties.

The X-factors are returning wideout Sean Brown and incoming transfer Blake, who made an offseason stop at ECU before joining the 49ers in April. Despite just three catches for 31 yards a season ago, Brown has been dominant at practice and has emerged as Charlotte’s most physical receiver. At 6-4, 210 pounds, Brown has the skillset to take a huge jump and become Charlotte’s go-to guy.

Linebacker by committee

With top tackling duo of Demetrius Knight and Nikhai Hill-Green moving to Power Four programs, what was Charlotte’s best defensive position group now becomes their biggest question — who is next up at linebacker?

Returnees Prince Bemah-Wallace and Reid Williford, who combined for 61 tackles last season, emerged as potential starters and leaders during spring practice. Charlotte added Avery Morris (UTSA), Xavier Simmons (Missouri), Aiden Kaler (Stony Brook) and Donovan Spellman (Appalachian State) through the portal and will rely on another crop of newcomers to bolster the second level of Ryan Osborn’s defense.

High hopes for Handy

If you’re wondering who Charlotte’s X-factor on defense is, the answer is just a Stone’s throw away. Returning for his third year with the program, the second in which he is eligible, Stone Handy knows there are high expectations in his redshirt senior season.

With Eyabi Okie-Anoma moving on, the pressure is on Handy to become Charlotte’s top pass rusher and headline opponent’s scouting reports, with Demon Clowney returning on the opposite edge. At 6-foot-5, 247 pounds, running a 4.5 laser 40-yard-dash, Handy has the frame and tools to play his way to the next level. With two years of eligibility remaining, Handy must keep his head on straight and build on his productive 2023 season.