Honestly, trying to pin down the Charlotte football depth chart lately is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. It's moving fast. If you've been following the Niners, you know the vibe around Jerry Richardson Stadium has shifted completely under Tim Albin. We aren't just looking at a few roster tweaks here; we’re talking about a full-blown identity transplant.
The quarterback room is basically a laboratory right now. Last season's injuries threw a wrench in everything, and now, with the 2026 season on the horizon, the battle for QB1 is as messy as it is exciting. You’ve got Conner Harrell—the North Carolina transfer who’s shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency—vying against Grayson Loftis and Zach Wilcke. Harrell’s athleticism is undeniable, but Loftis has that "gamer" quality that coaching staffs fall in love with during spring ball.
The Offensive Overhaul Under Todd Fitch
When Tim Albin brought in Todd Fitch as the Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator, the message was clear: the Niners are going to air it out. Fitch, coming off a stint as an analyst at LSU and Ohio State, knows what elite speed looks like. He isn't interested in a "three yards and a cloud of dust" mentality.
Basically, the wide receiver room is the deepest part of the Charlotte football depth chart right now. Sean Brown is the veteran anchor, a guy who fought his way from UNC Pembroke to becoming a scholarship leader in the Queen City. Then you’ve got the speedsters. Javen Nicholas and E. Jai Mason are the names you'll hear on third downs. Nicholas, in particular, has developed this weirdly effective telepathy with the quarterbacks, snagging 11 balls for over 100 yards in high-pressure games last year.
- Sean Brown (WR): The 6'4" target you just can't ignore in the red zone.
- Jayden McGowan: A senior who brings that Vanderbilt/Boston College experience to the slot.
- Justin Olson: Looking for a massive "bounce-back" year after an injury-shortened campaign.
The backfield is just as crowded. Rod Gainey Jr. stuck with the program when he could’ve easily bounced to a bigger school via the portal. He’s the shifty, lightning-quick compliment to CJ Stokes, who is still working his way back to 100% after that nasty injury against Indiana. Don't sleep on the freshman, Jariel Cobb. He’s got that "don't-blink" speed that turns a routine dive into a 60-yard highlight.
Building a 4-2-5 Defense that Actually Bites
Defensively, the Niners are leaning into a 4-2-5 look, which is pretty much the standard in the modern AAC. It’s all about versatility. Nate Faanes and Kurt Mattix have been tasked with making sure the defensive line doesn't just hold gaps but actually generates pressure.
Jaylon Johnson and Braden Mullen are the bookends on the edges. Johnson, a transfer from the JUCO ranks (Northwest Mississippi), plays with a chip on his shoulder the size of a Ford F-150. He’s the guy who sets the edge, while Mullen provides the veteran savvy on the opposite side. Inside, you've got Zion Shockley and Xavier Miles. Miles is particularly interesting because he was a high-profile recruit who chose the 49ers over some serious P5 interest.
The secondary is where things get truly chaotic. Caleb Curtain is the heart of this unit. He’s a ball hawk who seems to be in three places at once. He’s flanked by guys like Dwight Bootle II and Cary Grant.
Wait, let's talk about the "Nickel" spot for a second. Treyveon McGee basically lives in that space. He’s technically a defensive back, but he hits like a linebacker. It's that hybrid role that allows Charlotte to stay in their base defense even when teams go to four-wide sets.
The Transfer Portal Paradox
You can't talk about the Charlotte football depth chart without mentioning the portal. It’s the lifeblood of the program, but it's also a source of constant anxiety for fans. Just this January, we saw a massive influx of talent, including guys like Don Chaney Jr. (Miami) and Max Brown.
But there’s a flip side. For every big name that comes in, someone like Caleb Curtain or Sean Brown has to decide to stay. That "retention" battle is arguably more important than the "recruiting" battle. Albin has been vocal about building "camaraderie and a bond they can lean on," which sounds like coach-speak, but when you see a guy like Jonny King—who has survived multiple coaching changes—leading the offensive line, you start to believe it.
Current 2026 Key Starters (Projected)
Offense
The offensive line is being rebuilt around Jesse Ramil and Mo Clipper Jr. Clipper, a Tennessee transfer, brings some SEC-level strength to the interior. The center spot is likely going to Dallas Shirley, though Jonny King provides that veteran insurance policy that every coach dreams of.
Defense
Expect the linebacker core to be anchored by Shay Taylor and Kadin Schmitz. Schmitz is a name to watch; he’s a transfer from Ashland who has adapted to the FBS speed surprisingly well. He’s got that "nose for the ball" that you simply can't teach.
What's Next for the 49ers?
If you're looking for actionable insights on where this team is going, keep an eye on the "Spring Game" and the final transfer window in April. The Charlotte football depth chart you see in February is almost never the one that takes the field in September.
- Watch the QB Battle: If Harrell doesn't separate himself early, the staff might look back to the portal for a "one-year rental" veteran to steady the ship.
- Monitor the Trenches: The offensive line depth is still thin. One or two injuries to the starters could derail the whole "Spread Option" experiment.
- Key Home Matchups: With the Jerry Richardson Stadium expansion talks and over-capacity crowds last year, the atmosphere is there. Now, the wins need to follow.
The reality is that Charlotte is in a "prove-it" year. The talent is there on paper, and the coaching staff has the pedigree. But in the AAC, paper doesn't win games. You need a depth chart that can survive the attrition of a 12-game season.
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To stay ahead of the curve, you should follow the official Charlotte 49ers athletic site for the most recent roster updates, as summer enrollees often shake up the second and third strings. Tracking the snap counts for freshmen like Jariel Cobb and Rod Gainey Jr. during the early non-conference schedule will tell you exactly who the coaches trust when the game is on the line.