‘We’ve got some dogs’: Charlotte 49ers are excited following opening of football camp

Ja’Qurious Conley learned the importance of patience.

The Charlotte 49ers’ defensive back has impressed the local football world with his athleticism since his family moved to North Carolina for military reasons prior to the start of his junior year of high school. Conley, a native of Washington state and a standout defensive back, was initially being recruited by Power Five schools to play wide receiver.

Living in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Conley played a pair of strong seasons at Northside High and signed to play for the University of North Carolina. He became the first true freshman to start for the Tar Heels.

Conley relished his time in Chapel Hill. Now a redshirt junior who will play his first season for the 49ers this fall, he’s been embracing his new opportunity in Charlotte.

“I feel like on the defensive side, we’ve got some dogs,” Conley said. “Up front? Straight dogs. Every single one of them — in the second group, in the third group.

“Just bringing everybody in, trying to maintain, keep and build a culture here. I love it here. I honestly love it in Charlotte.”

Standout linebacker knew he was ‘gonna be a 49er’

Donovan Spellman is relishing his opportunity with the Charlotte 49ers.

The players have a particularly competitive mindset this year. While they’re not trying to be too physical with one another, they’re all ecstatic to be on the turf together. And it’s making their practices more aggressive.

Spellman, a Greenville, North Carolina, native who will play linebacker for the 49ers, was confident in his decision to transfer to Charlotte from Appalachian State. He recalls meeting with Tim Brewster, the 49ers’ new associate head coach, and telling him right away: “I’m gonna be a 49er.”

He said he didn’t even bother giving other schools a chance. Spellman’s first visit to Charlotte’s campus was technically an unofficial visit.

If nothing else, it quickly became clear to him that Charlotte defensive coordinator Ryan Osborn was the best coach he has ever had. Combined with the program’s strong recruiting, Spellman knew he didn’t want to play anywhere else but in green and gold.

“We’re all fighting for the same goal — and that’s that championship,” Spellman said. “But we also know we’re the underdogs. We already know that we don’t have no respect, as Coach Biff (Poggi) says. And he has not told us anything. We see it. That’s why we come out here every day, and we fight our butts off.”

For Charlotte’s new tailback, a chance to play in front of family

Cartevious Norton realizes how the Charlotte 49ers have a chance to make a name for themselves as a team.

A Waycross, Georgia, native, Norton said he’s been getting used to the humidity down south again. The running back transferred to the second-year AAC program from Iowa State, where he was voted Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Week.

When he visited Charlotte for the first time, he felt a genuine interest. The coaching staff didn’t even spend much time discussing playing time — Norton knows that comes with hard work. They wanted to make sure he felt at home in Charlotte.

And with his family just five hours away in Georgia, this motivated program playing its early seasons in a new conference felt like a great fit.

“It’s very exciting,” Norton said. “Especially with my mom and the family coming — they make you play harder. You feel like you can’t let them down. Can’t let anybody embarrass you in front of the family.”