With a new QB and receivers galore, Charlotte is stretching the field with passing game

Max Brown’s eyes danced across McColl-Richardson Field, scanning right to left before floating a ‘drop in a bucket’ pass over Jairus Mack’s right shoulder.

Brown, facing pressure from the left edge, stepped up in the pocket and delivered the picture-perfect pass to Mack during Monday’s practice, just before the rain hit. The receiver’s hesitation out of his break carved a perfect slot fade, beating nickel corner CJ Burton down the seam. Approaching the visitor’s sideline, Mack reeled in the dime with just his left hand as safety Ja’Quirous Conley crashed into the group attempting to break up the pass.

After making the highlight-reel catch, Mack wasn’t afraid to talk his talk — much like former 49er and current Green Bay Packers wideout Grant DuBose.

Far from a season ago, when Charlotte’s aerial attack was short on the deep ball, Brown’s ability to push the ball downfield adds a much-needed element to offensive coordinator Mike Miller’s scheme.

Brown, a transfer from Florida, is moving through his progressions and finding his footing in Charlotte’s offense. He has a knack for scrambling and extending plays — a nod to his “explosive” play style — but he and the 49ers need a clear-cut No. 1 receiver.

With Mack returning as the team leader with 453 receiving yards a season ago, along with transfers O’Mega Blake (South Carolina), Justin Olson (Middle Tennessee) and Isaiah Myers (Independence C.C.) and as returning wideouts Sean Brown and Duane Thomas Jr., Charlotte has options.

Mack has long known he can, and should, be Charlotte’s go-to guy.

“I won’t shy away from the moment. If they want me to be that I’m going to be that,” Mack told The Observer last season. “I’m prepared for that, and I’m ready for it. If they ask me to be number one, I’m going to be that. I’m ready for it.”

Although ineligible in 2022, Mack spent two years alongside former teammate DuBose under Will Healy, taking guidance from the most recent 49er to hear his name called in the NFL Draft.

“They really sat me down and taught me stuff, especially Grant — with how fluid he was with his routes,” Mack said. “What he taught me, plus my speed, it really made me a better player.”

DuBose, who is entering his second season with Green Bay, returned to campus over the summer, making a point to catch up with Mack, or “No-No,” as he calls him.

“I got a chance to talk to No-No (in June). He had a pretty solid year last year, so hopefully he can build off that and keep progressing,” DuBose said of Mack. “He’s a pretty good kid, and the sky is the limit if he keeps putting in the work.”

Mack caught 25 passes a season ago, coming at 18.12 yards per clip, ranking second in the AAC and 24th in the nation. After being Charlotte’s top big-play wideout in Biff Poggi’s first year — recording catches of 32, 34, 47, 48 and 51 yards — Mack is primed to take the next step as a redshirt junior.

Rebuilding the offensive line

Despite a new signal-caller and an improved wideout room, Charlotte’s offense will go as far as their offensive line can take them.

With just one returning starter on the front line, center Jonny King, Charlotte’s plug-and-play mentality has reslotted the group with five Power Four transfers, as well as other contributors coming from smaller programs.

Through five practices, the first-team group is LT Jonny Hassard (UMass), LG Jordan Moko (Texas A&M), C Jonny King, RG Mo Clipper Jr. (Tennessee) and RT Mitchell Mayes (Clemson). That group, on average, is 6-foot-3, 313 pounds.

LT Jordan Herman (Florida) and RT Tyler Gibson (Georgia Tech) have been in and out of the first-team rotation, with Mayes switching between right guard and tackle.

After coaching the 49ers’ tight ends a season ago, new offensive line coach John Morookian has received high praise from Miller, who labeled him a “genius.” Morookian served the same role at Kansas, Akron and Tiffin, and served as an offensive analyst at Michigan before joining the 49ers.

Depth on the defensive line

Staying in the trenches, Charlotte’s pass rush is a key to repeating — and exceeding — the success under Ryan Osborn from a season ago. With Stone Handy stepping into the lead edge-rushing role, Charlotte’s front four is rounding into shape early in camp. Although the individuals and alignment change on Osborn’s call, the current rotation includes Edge Handy, DT Dre Martin (South Carolina), DT Dez Morgan, DT Charlie Jackson (Gardner-Webb), Edge Mike Kelly-Lawson, Edge Chantz Williams (Miami), Edge Ositdinma Ekwonu, Edge Demon Clowney, DT Colin Coates, Edge Donovan Spellman (Appalachian State), and DT Dre Butler (Michigan State). Returning DT Jalar Holley is working his way back after missing much of last season.

With praise from Osborn, the expectation is Handy takes a big leap on the edge, building on his 29 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in the 2023 season.

Special teams, special players

After losing punter Grant Gonya to graduation, Charlotte must replace their special teams MVP from a season ago. In steps Michigan State transfer Michael O’Shaughnessy, who punted 14 times in seven games, with a long of 50 yards, in his lone season with the Spartans. Battling with true freshman Andrew Bennett, O’Shaughnessy is expected to be Charlotte’s primary punter in his final collegiate season.

After a shaky, two-headed kicking game a season ago, sophomore Kyle Cunanan returns as Charlotte’s lead place kicker, with O’Shaughnessy as holder and Holly Springs native Adam Booker as the long snapper.

After setting the school’s record for the longest punt return in school history (46 yards) and leading the AAC in yards per punt return (11.9), returning tailback Henry Rutledge was given a preseason First-Team All-AAC nod as a return specialist. Rutledge has flashed through training camp as a tailback and has a chance to impact the 49ers on more than just special teams this season.