As Charlotte 49ers football training camp opens, optimism surrounds new-look team
Head coach Biff Poggi senses an increased mental toughness on this year’s Charlotte 49ers team.
That’s the piece — emotional toughness, specifically — that Poggi has been stressing this year. On the heels of the program’s second straight 3-9 campaign, Charlotte opened its annual football summer training camp on Friday morning with a refreshed mindset.
The 49ers have stayed optimistic despite being picked to finish 13th of the 14 teams in the American Athletic Conference. Poggi has brought in key transfers — led by former Florida starting quarterback Max Brown — and new assistant coaches to complement a solid group of returners.
“They read all the things that are said,” Poggi said. “We have not talked about it, but they see it. They see, what are we, 13 out of 14, and then it comes out that we’re eight-point underdogs at home against James Madison. The kids are on social media. They see it.”
And they’re fired up.
The Charlotte 49ers — with “a chip on their shoulder,” as Poggi put it — hit the turf in full pads before 8 a.m. on a sweltering morning at Jerry Richardson Stadium.
A revamped running back room
The Charlotte 49ers will have a choice among four strong tailbacks in their backfield.
Cartevious Norton, a former Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Week who is wearing jersey No. 5 for Charlotte, made four starts last year as a dual-threat back for Iowa State. He’s built low to the ground, has great balance and moves well.
He joins Hahsaun Wilson, who rushed for the second-most yards in Charlotte program history (198 yards) and second-most rushing touchdowns in a game (three TDs) in the 49ers’ overtime loss to the AAC-best Memphis. The redshirt junior from Florence, S.C., enters his fourth season with the program.
Terron Kellmans back after making one start for Charlotte in his first full collegiate season last fall.
Coming over from the defending national champions, former Michigan running back CJ Stokes provides an explosive option on breakaway runs. Stokes is from Columbia, S.C., and graduated from the Hammond School.
“Our team chemistry definitely has improved,” returning player Dontae Balfour said. “We care about each other. We got new guys coming in, eager to learn. Everybody wants to be a part of our success.”
New quarterback Max Brown was slinging it
Max Brown threw a good ball in his first practice in a Charlotte uniform.
His leadership, particularly at his young age, has impressed the 49ers. The 21-year-old redshirt sophomore has a strong arm and can use his legs to create space in the pocket.
“He’s got all the tools,” Poggi said. “Our job is to get him ready for the first week.”
Brown continues noticing a desire to win from everyone within the 49ers’ program.
Both returning players and incoming transfers have embraced the same mindset, and it’s creating a strong culture. Brown knows most players on Charlotte’s team last year believe they were a better squad than their record had indicated.
And many of those players are still wearing 49ers uniforms — for the same reasons that Brown decided he wanted to don one himself.
“Just being able to come in and make our mark,” Brown said, “which isn’t really a challenge. It’s an opportunity. Having an opportunity to do something that no one’s been able to do: Create our own culture, establish our own pride and respect of Charlotte.
“I thinking bringing ‘winning’ to this city is something that’s going to happen in the future. I’m excited for it, and I’m excited for this city.”
