How Charlotte 49ers’ defense is learning ‘a new language’ during spring workouts

As the Charlotte 49ers enter the final stretch of spring practice, pads are popping, position battles are taking shape, tempers are heating up, and first-year head coach Tim Albin is discovering the identity of his team.

Amid a sea of new players, including three transfers competing for the starting quarterback job, Charlotte is returning a handful of starters from last season’s defense.

Despite the defensive veterans, defensive coordinator/linebackers Nate Faanes likened the defensive installs to a new language, using the final days of spring practice as individual development to evaluate strengths and weaknesses — setting up what will be a competitive training camp.

“It’s been fun to see the development of a number of guys. It’s a new language for a lot of them. Taking the next step, learning and playing fast — the communication that’s happened from Day One has been awesome,” Faanes told The Observer. “(The spring session) is about fundamentals and skill development, more than putting in fancy schemes. How do we get better at what we want to major in and find out what we’re good at?”

Among those learning a new scheme are returnees Donovan Spellman and Reid Williford, with the latter leading last season’s defense with 77 total tackles.

49ers linebacker Reid Williford

Williford, who has gone from Conference USA’s all-freshman team in 2022 under Will Healy to a senior leader under Albin, is looking to retain a responsibility he held a season ago — serving as the quarterback of the defense.

Ahead of the 2024 season, the NCAA approved helmet communications for FBS games, meaning that coach-to-player communication was designated to one player on the field, noted by a green dot on the mid-line of the helmet. With 49ers offensive coordinator Todd Fitch talking directly to the quarterback, Faanes is narrowing down his list of candidates on the defensive side, and Williford is in the mix.

“Not sure yet, we’re testing it out in the spring to see,” Faanes said of the coach-to-player headset communication. “Reid (Williford) has done it in the past, so he has experience. There are a couple guys that have done it before and a multitude of guys who are doing it in the spring as a trial run to see how it goes.”

While learning an entirely new crop of players, Faanes immediately noticed Williford’s intangibles and leadership abilities.

“I love his attitude and his work ethic. He does things that you don’t have to coach ... that you might have to coach a young guy on,” Faanes said. “He’s athletic, tough and smart. He has all the intangibles. He’s taking on an even bigger role as a leader, which has been awesome. Watching him blossom has been fun.”

Coming off his most productive season, totaling 77 tackles, two pass deflections, and two sacks, Williford is working back from a minor injury and hoping to thrive under Faanes’ guidance.

“I’d love to do it with my experience last year,” Williford said of wearing the headset on defense. “It got me to understand a little more; it’s never going to make it worse having a defensive coordinator in your ear while you’re on the field. As a linebacker, it’s just communication. I take it with pride and gratefulness that I was chosen last year, and I’d love to do it this year as well. It’s a lot on your hands, but it’s a fun job to have.”

49ers linebacker Donovan Spellman

While preaching the fundamentals through the spring session, Faanes has brought an edge to the defensive room.

“It’s about the hunt,” Spellman told The Observer.

Needing no extra motivation for the season opener against his previous school, Appalachian State, Spellman is using Faanes’ message as fuel.

“I’m very excited. I can’t tell you that I have it circled. My family is coming out, I’m excited for the fans to come out. As for me, this is like a lion in the jungle finding prey,” Spellman said. “That’s my mindset going into week one against Appalachian State, and I hope they know that as well.”

After two seasons, 20 games, and 3.5 sacks with the Mountaineers, Spellman joined the 49ers under Biff Poggi in 2024, tying for second on the team in sacks despite playing a reserve role on the edge throughout the season.

After Poggi’s firing, Spellman entered his name into the portal — joining the mass exodus from last season’s roster. But after talking with Albin, Spellman became one of the first to decide to remain at Charlotte.

“It didn’t feel right to leave this spot. I felt like I had a lot of things I owed the fans and owed people that didn’t give me a shot,” Spellman said. “Albin called me, and they welcomed me with open arms. ... I felt like I already had a lot of chemistry with the new defensive line and the new rushers. It’s not about the money or anything like that, just about my passion and love for football, the coaches and the program.”

While staying in Charlotte meant a new opportunity at extended play time under Albin, it also meant getting an opportunity to work with one of Spellman’s mentors, former All-American (2019) and current Pittsburgh Steelers edge Alex Highsmith.

Highsmith returned to Charlotte early in spring practice, visiting with the team and working with Spellman on a move they both utilize.

“He taught me a lot of key moves and a lot of things that can develop my skills in the pass rush standpoint. My main move, which is his main move, and he likes to counter and spin — exactly how I like to counter and spin,” Spellman told The Observer. “He gave me tips, and we talked about his journey through Charlotte. I love his relentless effort. He’s one of my idols.”

This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 5:30 AM.