Charlotte 49ers 2023 Preview and Predictions

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Key Players Returning:

RB/KR Shadrick Byrd, OG Panda Askew, OG Jonny King, DT Jalar Holley, DT Miguel Jackson, DT Dez Morgan, LB Prince Bemah and CB Wayne Jones.

Key Players Departing:

QB Chris Reynolds, RB Calvin Camp, WR Grant DuBose, WR Elijah Spencer, WR/PR Victor Tucker, OC Ashton Gist, OT Jaxon Hughes, DE Markees Watts, DE Amir Siddiq, LB Chase Monroe, LB BJ Turner, CB/PR Geo Howard, DS Solomon Rogers, PK Johnathan Cruz and PK Antonio Zita.

Top 10 Recruits:

3 Star Recruits: 
RB Durell Robinson (Baltimore, Maryland), QB Carson Black (Ft. Mill, South Carolina), LB Keoni Denny (Riverview, Florida), WR Duane Thomas Jr. (Hollywood, Florida), CB Dontae Balfour (North Carolina transfer), EDGE Greg Hudgins (Purdue transfer), DL Julius Weischof (Michigan transfer), WR Ike White (Minnesota transfer), OL Austin Johnson (Colorado transfer) and EDGE Terrance Butler (Maryland Transfer).

2022 Results:

G01  @ FAU  L  13-43 
G02  WILLIAM & MARY  L  24-41
G03  MARYLAND  L  21-56
G04  @ Georgia State  W  42-41
G05  @ South Carolina  L  20-56
G06  UTEP  L  35-41
G07  @ UAB  L  20-34
G08  FIU  L  15-31
G09  @ Rice  W  56-23
G10  WESTERN KENTUCKY  L  7-59
G11  @ Middle Tennessee  L  14-24
G12  LOUISIANA TECH  W  26-21

Team Info:

2022 Overall:  3-9 (11th in CUSA)

Home:  1-5
Away:  2-4
Neutral:  0-0
CUSA:  2-6
Non-CUSA:  1-3

Head Coach:  Biff Poggi

Charlotte:  0-0
FBS Career:  0-0
FBS Bowls:  0-0

Returning Statistical Leaders:

Passing: 
Trexler Ivey (9-16, 101 yards, 56.3%, 6.3 avg., 1 TD, 0 INT)
Rushing: 
Shadrick Byrd (149 car., 620 yards, 4.2 avg., 4 TD)
Receiving: 
Shadrick Byrd (21 rec., 222 yards, 10.6 avg., 1 TD)
TD’s Scored: 
Shadrick Byrd (5)
Sacks: 
Prince Bemah (2)
Tackles: 
Prince Bemah (62)
Tackles For Loss: 
Prince Bemah (5)
Interceptions: 
Wayne Jones (2)
Pass Deflections: 
Wayne Jones/Lacy Williams (2)
Forced Fumbles: 
Prince Bemah/Wayne Jones (1)
Kick Returns: 
Shadrick Byrd (32 ret., 652 yards, 20.4 avg., 0 TD)
Punt Returns:  Steven Parker (1 ret., 13 yards, 13.0 avg., 0 TD)
Kicking: 
None
Punting: 
None

Projected Offensive Starters:

QB:  4  Jalon Jones  (SR/TR)
RB:  13  Shadrick Byrd  (RS JR/TR)
WR:  2  Randy Fields Jr.  (GR/TR)
WR:  3  Jaden Bradley  (RS SO/TR)
WR:  19  Jack Hestera  (RS SO/TR)
TE:  81  Jake Clemons  (RS JR)
LT:  76  Kevin Williams  (RS SR/TR)
LG:  50  Ja’Khi Green  (RS SO/TR)
OC:  56  Andrew Adair  (RS SO/TR)
RG:  52  Jonny King  (RS JR)
RT:  55  Johnathan Bass  (RS SR/TR)
KR:  13  Shadrick Byrd  (RS SR/TR)
PK:  00  Jake Larson  (RS SR/TR)

Projected Defensive Starters:

DE:  96  Julius Welschof  (GR/TR)
DT:  90  Dez Morgan  (RS JR)
DT:  97  Jalar Holley  (RS SR/TR)
DE:  00  Eyabi Okie  (GR/TR)
LB:  41  Nikhai Hill-Green  (RS JR/TR)
LB:  10  Ositadinma Ekwonu  (RS JR/TR)
NB:  29  Maguire Neal  (SO)
CB:  15  DeAndre Hollins  (GR/TR)
CB:  1  Dontae Balfour  (RS SO/TR)
FS:  6  Al-Ma’hi Ali  (RS SO/TR)
SS:  9  Wayne Jones  (RS SR/TR)
PR:  14  Steven Parker  (RS SO)
PT:  44  Grant Gonya  (RS SR/TR)

Team Grades:

Offense

Quarterbacks:  B
Running Backs:  B
Wide Receivers:  C
Offensive Line:  C

Defense

Defensive Line:  C
Linebackers:  B
Secondary:  C

Special Teams:

Kick Returners:  C
Punt Returners:  C
Kickers:  C
Punters:  B

Schedule:

09/02 
SC STATE BULLDOGS  |  First meeting between schools.

09/09  @ Maryland Terrapins  |  Last season’s 21-56 defeat was the first meeting between schools.

09/16  GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS  |  The series is tied 2-2.  The 49ers are 1-1 since renewing the series in 2021 and their last series loss (9-20) was in 2021.

09/23  @ Florida Gators  |  First meeting between schools.

09/30  @ SMU Mustangs  |  First meeting between schools.

10/14  NAVY MIDSHIPMEN  |  First meeting between schools.

10/21  @ East Carolina Pirates  |  First meeting between schools.

10/27  FAU OWLS  |  Charlotte trails the series 2-6.  The 49ers lost (13-43) last season’s meeting between schools, and their last series win (27-24) was in 2018.

11/04  @ Tulsa Golden Hurricane  |  First meeting between schools.

11/11  MEMPHIS TIGERS  |  First meeting between schools.

11/18  RICE OWLS  |  The series is tied 2-2.  The 49ers are 2-0 since renewing the series in 2021 and their last series loss (21-22) was in 2016.

11/25  @ South Florida Bulls  |  First meeting between schools.

Predictions:

Home:  2-4
Away:  0-6
Neutral:  0-0
AAC:  1-7
Non-AAC:  1-3

Overall:  2-10  (13th in AAC)