From startup to Bahamas Bowl: the Charlotte 49ers’ all-decade team
The Charlotte 49ers football program hasn’t even been around for a full decade.
The 49ers started playing in 2013, beginning as an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision independent before jumping to Conference USA and the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2016.
The program is riding high now under coach Will Healy, who in his first season led the 49ers to their first winning season (7-6) and their first postseason appearance in the Bahamas Bowl.
Here’s a look at the best players in 49ers history — let’s call it their All 7/10ths-of-a-Decade team:
QUARTERBACK
Chris Reynolds, 2018-present
He’s on pace to break Matt Johnson’s career passing mark of 5,405 yards sometime next season.
RUNNING BACK
Benny LeMay, 2016-19
No. 2 on 49ers’ career rushing list (3,232 yards) behind Kalif Phillips, but did it against C-USA opposition all four seasons.
RECEIVERS
Victor Tucker, 2018-present
Precise route runner with great hands who might be best in C-USA already.
Austin Duke, 2013-16
Program’s career leader in most receiving categories, had 13 100-yard games and has the program’s top-four single game performances.
Trent Bostick, 2013-17
Solid No. 2 to Duke for most of his career; took one for the team when he redshirted after his junior season.
TIGHT END/H BACK
Justin Bolus, 2013-15
Original 49er averaged 13.1 yards per catch, sixth on Charlotte’s all-time list entering last season.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Nate Davis, 2014-18
Second 49ers player taken in the NFL draft. Starting as a rookie at right guard for the Tennessee Titans.
Cam Clark, 2015-19
All-conference tackle who’s likely to be drafted.
Eugene German, 2014-17
Was honorable-mention all-C-USA as a senior, a bright spot on a bad team (1-11).
Jamal Covington, 2013-16
Had a standout career with 49ers (was team’s first offensive MVP) after also playing on his high school’s tennis team).
Chris Brown, 2015-18
Former Vance High star was a mainstay on the line for three seasons.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Larry Ogunjobi, 2013-16
Original 49er also the program’s first player taken in the NFL draft. Starts for the Cleveland Browns.
Alex Highsmith, 2016-19
Former walk-on leaves as Charlotte’s career sacks leader (20.0) and is a near-certain NFL draft pick.
Brandon Banks, 2013-16
Defensive tackle had 4.5 career sacks and 45 career tackles-for-loss. Played in the NFL for Washington in 2017.
Tyriq Harris, 2016-present
Top defensive end didn’t play last season due to back injury, will play in 2020.
LINEBACKERS
Jeff Gemmell, 2016-19
Heartbeat of Charlotte’s defense finished as 49ers’ all-time leading tackler (304).
Karrington King, 2014-17
Second on career tackles list (267) despite missing last five games of senior season with knee injury.
Juwan Foggie, 2014-18
Had an incredible senior season with 68 tackles and six interceptions (two for touchdowns).
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Ben DeLuca, 2016-present
Will return after missing most of last season with shoulder injury. Third on career tackles list (265) who led nation with five forced fumbles in 2017.
Terrance Winchester, 2013-16
The 49ers’ career interceptions (10) and takeaways (12) leader.
Greg Cunningham, 2013-15
Seven career takeaways trails only Winchester, Foggie and DeLua on all-time list.
Branden Dozier, 2014-15
Had 11 pass break-ups in 2014, a school record.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jonathan Cruz, 2018-present
On pace (25) to break Blake Brewer’s career field goals made record of 45. Cruz’s 56-yarder to beat Florida Atlantic in 2018 is a program record.
Arthur Hart, 2014-17
His 43.5-yard punting average in 2017 is best in program history. Dropped 74 punts inside the 20 during his career.
Chris Montgomery, 2014-17
Handled the most kickoff returns in program history (105) for a 20.4-yard average.
Corey Nesmith, 2013-15
Averaged a program-high 7.3 yards per punt return. His 33-yard return against Johnson C. Smith in 2014 is second longest in program history.
IN THE TEAM PICTURE
▪ It’s tough to leave Kalif Phillips off the team, but it would have been tougher to omit LeMay, whose entire career came when the 49ers were on the FBS level.
▪ Linebackers Daquan Lucas (2013-16) and Nick Cook (2015-16) were victims of an uncommonly strong group at that position.
▪ The 49ers have had some strong offensive lines — which is why players like Jaelin Fisher (2017-present), Danny Book (2013-15) and Thomas LaBianca (2013-16) aren’t on the team.