During summer of uncertainty, Charlotte 49ers QB Chris Reynolds focusing on Tennessee

With all the uncertainty of this summer continuing to swirl, Charlotte 49ers quarterback Chris Reynolds is able to keep one primary thing in mind:

“I just want to play ball,” Reynolds told the Observer this week. “We all want to be safe and smart, but at the end of the day, we just want to get out there and do our jobs. I don’t know what’s going to happen over the next month or two, but I’m treating it like I’d normally do: like we’re going to go play Tennessee.”

Reynolds is referring to Charlotte’s season opener on Sept. 5 in Knoxville, Tenn., against the Volunteers. The game — for now, at least — is still scheduled to be played, although coronavirus concerns continue to threaten college football’s return this fall. The 49ers already lost one game off their schedule on Sept. 12 when Norfolk State’s Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference canceled football for the season (Charlotte athletics director Mike Hill said in a text to the Observer on Thursday that he is trying to find a Football Championship Subdivision replacement for the Norfolk State game).

However the schedule eventually works out, Reynolds said nothing has changed the way he’s approaching his junior season.

“It’s the season we hope to have,” Reynolds said. “So we’re working toward that.”

After Charlotte’s spring practice was cut short by the virus in March, 49ers players disbanded until June 15, when they were allowed to return to campus for voluntary workouts.

Reynolds said he spent time at his home in Mocksville, where he had access to a gym. He also worked out with his younger brother Jack, a senior slotback at Davie County High, where Chris once was a star.

The 49ers are allowed to have groups of no more than 10 players at a time in the workouts, which continue to be held outside and under the supervision of trainers and strength and conditioning coaches. On July 1, the players began to have access to the weight room.

Reynolds played a key role in 2019 for the 49ers, who had their first winning season and bowl appearance in program history. He threw a school-record 22 touchdown passes and led Conference USA with a 153.6 pass-efficiency rating. Reynolds was also dangerous running the ball, gaining 791 yards and scoring six touchdowns.

“I’ve been doing this for four years,” said Reynolds, who redshirted his first year as a walk-on at Charlotte. “Never been away from my guys for more than two weeks before all this. So it’s great to be back together with everyone.”

Reynolds said most of the workouts have resembled walk-throughs when coaches are present.

“We can’t have a ball out there when there are coaches,” Reynolds said. “We’ve all got our own water bottles. Everything is done to follow protocol.”

Reynolds said he feels completely safe. Since the voluntary workouts began in June and through Monday, 429 tests of athletes, coaches and staff members have been administered at Charlotte, with five testing positive.

“More than safe, actually,” Reynolds said. “Everybody here has done a great job, the athletic staff, helping us get the maximum amount of work done.”

Reynolds lives in a house off campus with teammates Cam Dollar and Joe Thompson. He said they all understand what needs to be done to halt the virus’ spread.

“It’s all about being smart,” Reynolds said. “On weekends, we shouldn’t be going out. Put on a mask. We want to make sure things don’t get shut down more than they are around the country.”

The 49ers are scheduled to begin training camp in early August. Beyond that, the uncertainty remains.

“I try not to get so absorbed in all that,” Reynolds said. “That makes my brain move around so much, you know? Who are we going to play? Is this going to happen; is that going to happen? It messes with your head.

“I’m just going to prepare for Tennessee and try to be the best quarterback I can be.”