How Charlotte 49ers coach Will Healy carried recruiting momentum into the spring
During last December’s early signing period, Charlotte football coach Will Healy said the 49ers’ recruiting class of 2020 was the best in program history — and there was more to come that would only make it better.
It appears Healy was right.
In recent weeks, the 49ers have landed more commitments for the 2020 season from players who can potentially fill significant holes from a team that went 7-6 in 2019 and played in the Bahamas Bowl.
Included are two players who should help the 49ers’ offensive line, which loses three starters and is the area where they were probably most in need. Ty’Kieast Crawford, a 6-foot-5, 335-pounder from Texas, signed in April and is the first four-star recruit in Charlotte’s now eight-year history. Hunter Kelly, a graduate transfer from Penn State, committed to Charlotte on Monday.
Charlotte has also landed three-star Anthony Jackson, a defensive back from Rock Hill High who committed to the 49ers originally before backing out and committing again in April.
Healy says last season’s success — a school record for wins and a first bowl appearance — and having two players taken in last month’s NFL draft have only bolstered the Charlotte brand on the recruiting trail.
“We’re talking about taking (Crawford) from Texas, and he’s never been to Charlotte before,” said Healy, who is entering his second season at Charlotte. “Ty’Kieast is as big a get in recruiting as we’ll have.”
Before this week’s addition of Kelly, who played sparingly during his three seasons at Penn State, the 49ers had the second-ranked class in Conference USA and 69th nationally, according to 247Sports. That’s up from 14th in the league and 132nd nationally in 2019.
The 49ers signed 19 players in December and four more in February, including highly regarded running back Elijah Turner of Buford, Georgia, and defensive lineman Rayshaad Roddy, who led the nation in tackles for loss last season (23.5) at Fond Du Lac (Minnesota) Tribal and Community College.
Healy said one of those players who signed in December, defensive back Lyndarious Strange, has decided not to play football any more.
“He made a decision to go in a different direction,” Healy said of Strange, who played last season at Iowa Western Community College and was expected to compete for a starting job.
Charlotte has 12 starters returning, and many of the newcomers figure to step in either as starters or key backups. They include grad transfer Siah Sa’o (Vanderbilt) and running back Tre Harbison (a grad transfer from Northern Illinois who signed in December). The 49ers also have the luxury of getting back two experienced players in safety Ben DeLuca and defensive end Tyriq Harris, who both missed most or all of last season with injuries.
Defensive back Antone Williams, a grad transfer from Duke, has also committed to Charlotte. Another grad transfer will also likely be added, probably on the offensive line.
The offensive line was where help was most needed, with Charlotte losing tackle Cam Clark (drafted by the New York Jets) and guards Jalen Allen and Dominic Taylor. Center Jaelin Fisher and right tackle D’Mitri Emmanuel are the returning starters.
Entering spring practice (of which the 49ers completed nine of 15 days before stopping due to the coronavirus), Healy thought junior college transfer Ashton Gist would challenge for a starting spot, either at center or guard. Sophomores Malik Harkness, Dejan Rasuo and senior Jonathan Timmons (whom Healy said had an excellent spring) also figured to be in the mix.
But the arrivals of Crawford and Kelly, as well as three-star freshman Arabee Muslim (Mallard Creek), change the equation. Healy now has new possibilities on the line and has said he’s willing to switch things up and, with a new offensive line coach in Lee Grimes, that should be expected. Fisher, for example, could move to guard, with Gist or Kelly playing center.
“The nice thing is having some different options,” Healy said. “Now maybe your backup guard is also your backup center. It will be interesting to have more depth than we thought we’d have.”
49ers notes
▪ Athletics director Mike Hill said the 49ers are “closing in” on raising $93,000 needed to fund scholarships for Charlotte athletes that are missing their spring seasons due to the coronavirus. The NCAA recently passed a resolution allowing for an extra year of eligibility for spring sports athletes.
▪ Hill also said the start of women’s lacrosse as a varsity sport has been delayed by at least one year from its 2022-23 target date. The 49ers are adding the sport to stay in Title IX compliance after the school started football in 2013. The 49ers have already added a women’s golf program, which has been playing since 2017.
This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 12:27 PM.