# Charlotte 49ers

American · Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Head coach: Tim Albin · year 2 · 1-11 at CHAR · 35-30 career over 6 seasons
Offense: Spread Option · Defense: 4-2-5

## 2026 outlook

- 2025 record: 1-11 (0-8 in conference)
- National title odds: +125000 (#118 on the futures board)
- Season win total: 2.5 (over priced +132)
- Returning starter games: 29%
- Schedule difficulty: 53rd-hardest of 138 FBS teams

## Returning production by unit

| Unit | Returning games | Games back | Depth back |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Skill offense | 11% | 7/61 | 6/17 |
| Offensive line | 18% | 10/57 | 4/15 |
| Defensive front | 58% | 45/78 | 8/20 |
| Secondary | 21% | 12/57 | 5/15 |

## Roster movement

- Key returning: Grayson Loftis (QB), Curtis Simpson (DL), Conner Harrell (QB), Kristos Fernandez (OL), Dom Silvia (OL)
- Key departures (with destination): Ja'Qurious Conley (DB), Gavin Shipman (DB), Reid Williford (LB), Shay Taylor (LB), Javen Nicholas (WR) – DUKE
- Key arrivals (with previous school): Jaden Barnes (WR) – APP, Cole Gonzales (QB) – PITT, Lane Wadle (TE) – GAST, Khamani Alexander (RB) – APP, Chance Williams (RB) – CIN

## Depth chart

### Offense

- WR-X: Jaden Barnes, Adam Hopkins IV, Tank Boston
- WR-Z: Jaylen Hampton, Zyheem Collick, KD Hunter-Gibson
- WR-SL: Derrick Eley, Cam Pedro
- LT: J'Ven Williams
- LG: Luke Sandy, Dom Silvia
- C: Nic Cruji, Isaiah Bullerdick
- RG: Rod Green
- RT: Kristos Fernandez, Mathias Nielsen
- TE: Gus McGee, Logan Mauldin, Lane Wadle, Brady Rhoads, Grant Laskey
- QB: Cole Gonzales, Conner Harrell, Grayson Loftis, Jaylen White, Luke McNulty
- RB: Jariel Cobb, Henry Rutledge, Khamani Alexander, Chance Williams, D'Mariun Perteet

### Defense

- LDE: DJ Burgess, Curtis Simpson
- NT: Macyo Williams, Devin Ancrum, D'Nas White
- DT: Jamarrion Solomon, Caleb Irving
- RDE: Jaylon Johnson, Shaku Sangarie
- WLB: Kadin Schmitz, Stellan Bowman
- MLB: Gavin Willis, Parker Startz, Jerry Wall III
- LCB: Jameel Croft Jr., Nireek Sharpe
- SS: Shamar McIntosh, Cornell Allen
- FS: Dy'Lon Womack, Josh Hines
- RCB: CJ Clinkscales Jr., Tradarius Smith
- NB: Collin Gill

### Special Teams

- PT: Bronson Long, Ian Kelly
- PK: Aiden Bui
- KO: Aiden Bui
- LS: Henry Searcy
- H: Bronson Long, Ian Kelly
- PR: Jaden Barnes, Henry Rutledge, Derrick Eley
- KR: Derrick Eley, Henry Rutledge, Khamani Alexander

## 2026 schedule

| Week | Opponent | Site | TV | Spread |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | The Citadel Bulldogs (FCS) | Home | ESPN+ | CHAR -17.5 |
| 2 | Ole Miss | Away | ESPN2 | – |
| 3 | Appalachian State | Away | ESPN+ | – |
| 4 | Louisiana | Home | – | – |
| 5 | Memphis | Home | – | – |
| 6 | North Texas | Away | – | – |
| 7 | Temple | Away | – | – |
| 9 | Tulane | Home | ESPN2 | – |
| 10 | UAB | Away | – | – |
| 11 | East Carolina | Home | – | – |
| 12 | Tulsa | Away | – | – |
| 13 | Navy | Home | – | – |

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Source: SharpData OS – https://www.sharpdataos.com/cfb/teams/charlotte
Depth chart updated 2026-08-11. Odds shown are point-in-time snapshots.