Charlotte 49ers mailbag: Standouts in summer workouts and what’s up at the QB position

Fall camp is just days away, and the train that is the college football season is nearing JW Clay Station.

With the Charlotte 49ers fueling up for coach Biff Poggi’s second season, the changes that have been made on the offensive side of the ball will soon become apparent. For now, plenty of questions remain for the 49ers, especially with so many additions to Poggi’s 2024 roster.

Charlotte has addressed every level of Mike Miller’s offense, adding a “Ferrari” at quarterback, Big Ten and Big 12 experience in the backfield, and a Power Four-studded offensive line.

After watching a much improved defense for the majority of Poggi’s first season, jumping from 131st to 59th in the FBS in total defense under coordinator Ryan Osborn, Charlotte’s biggest task this offseason has been completely re-tooling the offensive side of the ball. Mustering just 17.5 points per game a season ago, getting it right will be the difference between competing for the program’s second bowl appearance and potentially a conference title, or falling below .500 for the fifth consecutive season.

Naturally, Niners fans have questions about this edition of the team. That’s why The Observer is adding a recurring 49ers mailbag to answer the Charlotte faithful’s questions.

49ers’ leadership

CLT Fan (@CLT_Fan): Who are the leaders on each side of the ball?

While each position group has its own “leader,” per se, two players have emerged as clear-cut captains when the season arrives — and they are quarterback Max Brown and defensive end Mike Kelly.

Brown has taken command of the entire locker room, according to returning tight end Colin Weber.

“He’s not only commanding the offense, but he’s commanding the team. He’s grown into that leadership role for us, and that’s big,” Weber told The Observer. “When you have a quarterback who can also be that guy, that’s important.”

Kelly, a redshirt senior and 2023 team captain, has made a consistent impact in the 49ers’ locker room since arriving on campus in 2019. He’s known as the “ultimate teammate” by his peers.

Summer workout stars

Andrew Tendler (@AndrewTend90063): What young guys have been standing out in practice so far?

True freshman quarterback DeShawn Purdie has continued to shine through summer workouts. Although still battling for reps in practice, Florida transfer QB Max Brown was complimentary of Purdie, stating that “when it comes to explosive, arm talent-wise, it’s as explosive as it gets.”

On defense, Boston College transfer CJ Clinkscales has been a huge addition as a nickel quarter. Clinkscales played in 10 games with the Eagles in 2023, recording an interception against Syracuse.

“He’s a really good player. (CJ) is really coming on for us,” Osborn told The Observer.

Outlook for freshman QB Purdie

Nathan (@49er_Nathan) Will DeShawn Purdie see any playing time?

While Purdie impressed in April’s spring game, the 18-year-old true freshman has some work to do before he’s a consistent presence in Charlotte’s offense on Saturdays.

Poggi, as well as Purdie’s teammates, have been complimentary of his skill set — especially at such a young age.

“Purdie, for him to be young, he has a lot of potential,” said Dontae Balfour, Charlotte’s best cornerback. “He’s not scared to throw the deep ball and he’s not scared to throw into traffic. He’s going to be really good.”

With Max Brown being named the starter, and Trexler Ivey returning in a backup role after struggling much of 2023, Purdie has a chance to work his way up the depth chart through fall camp. How fast he picks up Miller’s offense and the speed of the game will be key, but the Baltimore native’s ability to throw the deep ball and break the pocket with his legs bodes well for playing time early in his collegiate career.

Improvement in kicking game?

Keaston Sinicki (via email): The kicker position was rough last year. Can we expect a big upgrade? With the offensive firepower added to the fold this offseason, who should fans be most excited about?

Regarding the kicking game: Kyle Cunanan was Charlotte’s primary kicker a season ago as a true freshman, connecting on all 16 extra points and nine of his 15 field goal attempts. Despite missing three gimmes from less than 40 yards out, Cunanan was 5-8 from 40-plus, with a long of 49 yards to put Charlotte ahead in one of their three victories in 2023.

Despite the inconsistency (60%), Poggi was pleased with Cunanan’s performance and plans to keep him around, stating he’ll “make way more than he misses for us.”

As for players to watch: Max Brown is the easy answer because there was no excitement at quarterback a season ago (seven passing touchdowns, 16 interceptions).

As far as an under-the-radar player, watch for wideout Sean Brown as a potential big-time playmaker, or eraser, as Poggi calls them. Brown is Charlotte’s second-tallest receiver, listed at 6-foot-4, and has shown the ability to be a jump-ball threat for an offense that’s been longing for that type of excitement since Grant DuBose was selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Brown has every tool to be an NFL-caliber receiver but must find comfort in Miller’s offense.

Team chemistry

Russell Miller (via email): Biff mentioned that the team didn’t mesh well last year. I noticed he didn’t bring in many (St. Frances Academy) guys this year. Do you think this team gets along better?

There were certainly “cliques” and divides in last season’s locker room with the addition of nearly 50 players, mixing in with holdovers from the Will Healy era. We saw sideline explosions, suspensions, expletive-filled interviews, and frustrations boiling over with consistency in Poggi’s first season.

After the spring game, the coach stated that this team has a “totally different feeling from last year, a totally different vibe.” Total buy-in comes when there’s a consistent feeling that the team can compete, and that was absent a season ago with little to no production from the quarterback position. With Brown entering the fold in 2024, players have mentioned wanting to play with him as a reason to come to Charlotte. There’s real optimism this season in the locker room.

How’s the defense?

Tintin (@Tintin049): Does Charlotte have enough on the defensive line? Are the linebackers AAC level?

The linebacker position is probably the biggest question mark on the 49ers’ roster.

Replacing leading tacklers Demetrius Knight (South Carolina) and Nikhai Hill-Green (Colorado) will be no small feat, but the 49ers are returning Prince Bemah-Wallace and Reid Williford who both saw time last season. Charlotte added Aidan Kaler (Stony Brook), Xavier Simmons (Missouri) and Donovan Spellman (Appalachian State) into the fold, with Kaler leading the way for the newcomers in the spring.

As far as the defensive line goes, this might be the deepest group that Charlotte has seen. Dre Martin (South Carolina) and Dre Butler (Michigan State), among others, will be newcomers to watch on the front lines.