The quarterback room will see a battle between the often-injured Conner Harrell and Pittsburgh transfer Cole Gonzales. Gonzales was originally at Western Carolina, where he threw for over 6,500 yards in three seasons. Conner Harrell provides a dual threat option to the offense.
The running back room has plenty of options. Both Jariel Cobb and Henry Rutledge return. As a team, the 49ers only ran for 981 yards last season. The additions of D’Mariun Perteet (Coastal Carolina), Khamani Alexander (App State), and Chance Williams (Cincinnati) provide more options.
The wide receiver room returns some experience in Adam Hopkins IV, Jaylen Hampton, Derrick Eley, and tight end Gus McGee. The additions of Jaden Barnes (App State), Tank Boston (NC State), Cam Pedro (Southeast Missouri State), Zyheem Clark (Bryant), and tight ends Lane Wadle (Georgia State) and Logan Mauldin (McNeese) are massive.
The offensive line room returns Kristos Fernandez, Dom Silvia, Isaiah Bullerdick, and Omarion Davis. The additions of J’Ven Williams (Penn State), Luke Sandy (Wyoming), Mathias Nielsen (D2 Virginia Union), and Nic Cruji (Maine) are massive for this unit.
The defensive line room returns experience in Jamarrion Solomon, Jaylan Johnson, DJ Burgess, Curtis Simpson, and Ayo Tifase. The additions of Shaku Sangarie (Drake), Lewis Prince-Law (D2 Wingate), Devin Ancrum (North Carolina), D’Nas White (D2 Catawba), and Caleb Irving (Purdue) are massive.
The linebacker room is led by Kadin Schmitz and Gavin Willis. Willis needs to stay healthy, while Schmitz is a jack of all trades. Stellan Bowman and Parker Startz also return. Staying healthy is a key for this unit and the defense as a whole.
The secondary returns experience in CJ Clinkscales Jr., DeQuinder Williams II, Collin Gill, Dy’Lon Womack, and Cornell Allen. The additions of Jameel Craft Jr. (Kansas), Shamar McIntosh (Maryland), Zayden Laing-Taylor (JUCO), Nireek Sharpe (JUCO), and Trdarius Smith (JUCO) are big.
The kicking role will belong to redshirt freshman Aiden Bui. He is the only kicker on the roster. The punting duties will belong to Bronson Long. Henry Rutledge is a solid kick returner when healthy.
Tim Albin needs a turnaround in Year 2 and he has a history of doing so at previous jobs. Charlotte was snakebitten by injuries last season so it would seem that luck would be on their side this season. Things can only go up from last season.
