Charlotte 49ers coach Will Healy heads to Indy to watch players at NFL Combine

Charlotte 49ers coach Will Healy and director of football performance Chris Laskowski traveled to Indianapolis on Friday to watch three of their former players at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“They’ve taken our culture with them to Indianapolis and are representing our program and university really well,” Healy said of running back Benny LeMay, offensive tackle Cam Clark and defensive end Alex Highsmith. “I’m getting feedback from scouts, (general managers) and position coaches about how they’ve handled themselves in the interview process. Now they have to put a good effort on the field with their drill work.”

Among “Group of 5” conferences, only Boise State, with four at the Combine, has more players in Indianapolis than Charlotte. Of the seven Football Bowl Subdivision programs in North Carolina, only Wake Forest, which also has three, has as many players at the combine as Charlotte.

“They’re making a name for themselves,” said Healy, who’s starting his second season at Charlotte. “I’d love to take credit for it, but it had nothing to do with me. (Former 49ers coach) Brad (Lambert) did a heck of a job recruiting three guys who are in the NFL Combine. I was lucky enough to coach them.”

The 49ers have had two players drafted in the program’s seven-year history — defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi by the Cleveland Browns and offensive guard Nate Davis by the Tennessee Titans.

49ers notes

▪ The 49ers completed their seventh practice of the spring on Friday and now take a week off for spring break before returning March 10.

“These seven practices have been extremely crisp, and they’ve executed really well,” Healy said. “The competition has really ramped up. Our talent from top to bottom is a lot better than it was a year ago. That seems to have gotten everybody going a little more.”

▪ Healy said senior center Jaelin Fisher has become the “standard” for the offensive line, which loses three starters from last season.

“He’s really solidified himself,” Healy said. “Right now, if we had to do it, he’s probably the center depending on what happens the next six months.”

Healy said that juco transfer Ashton Gist might also play center, allowing the versatile Fisher to switch to guard. D’Mitri Emmanuel, who started last season at right tackle, has the best chance to replace Cam Clark on the left side.

“But Jaelin is the standard,” Healy said. “If we had five guys like him, we’d have no issues.”

▪ Healy said senior defensive back Ja’cion Fugate is having hip surgery next week and will be back for August practice.

▪ The 49ers’ pro day is scheduled for March 20, the day before their Green-White spring game.