Pair of well-traveled Charlotte linebackers will be key to 49ers’ defense

After playing integral roles in the Ohio Bobcats’ MAC championship-winning defense in 2024, the linebacker duo of Shay Taylor and Kadin Schmitz followed head coach Tim Albin and defensive coordinator Nata Faanes to Charlotte, where they will be asked to help resurrect a defense that allowed over 35 points a game last year.

Although learning a new city and university, Taylor and Schmitz have a leg-up on some of the returnees on the defensive side of the ball with multiple years of experience with Faanes and co-defensive coordinator Kurt Mattix.

“Both are incredibly smart, and they’ve been in the system and know it. They’re tough, gritty, and have the outwork you type of mentality that we are looking for,” Faanes said. “They’ve done a great job of getting better every year. I couldn’t be more proud of them. Seeing them grow as leaders has been awesome. I’m excited for this fall.”

Ohio to Charlotte

The Bobcats surrendered just 18 points per game in Albin’s final season at Ohio, totaling 11 wins and posting the ninth-best defense in the country.

But how will that translate to Charlotte?

“I have more trust now than ever leading behind coach Faanes. He’s running the show. It’s the same defense, and same scheme,” Taylor said on the Highway 49 Podcast. “(The 2024 Ohio defenfenders) weren’t egotistic people as far as playing for themselves. It wasn’t the most talented team, which made it unique. It was the most gelled group of men, and it’s nice to see that here as well. People who want to play for each other.”

While all 11 defenders are on a string, linebacker play is critical in a 4-2-5 defensive scheme. Charlotte saw defensive success in 2023 with linebackers Nikhai Hill-Green (now at Alabama) and Demetrius Knight (Cincinnati Bengals; 49th overall pick in 2025 NFL Draft) roaming sideline to sideline.

And returning linebacker Reid Williford thinks this linebacker corps is comparable.

“This is probably one of the best rooms I’ve been a part of here, along with the 2023 room (featuring Knight and Hill-Green). These guys from Ohio have really brought something different,” Williford said. “Physicality-wise, that’s Faanes’ defense from Ohio, and they’re bringing every bit of that here to our defense.”

Taylor and Schmitz

With four of the five Ohio transfers joining the linebacker room, Taylor and Schmitz have seen first-team reps and are controlling the defense, according to returning safety Ja’Qurious Conley.

“I can only talk for the defense right now, but I feel like the entire defense is meshing,” Conley told The Observer. “We’ve got two good linebackers that came in, and they’re truly controlling the defense. I love that a lot.”

And while Taylor was among the top tacklers on the Bobcats’ defense with 73 tackles, four pass deflections, three sacks, two forced fumbles and a pick-six, Schmitz’s role is expected to take a massive jump in year three — his first full season alongside Taylor at linebacker.

Committed initially to Navy out of high school, Schmitz hit the portal and elected to return to his home state of Ohio, playing under Albin in 2023. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker started his career on the edge, playing in 11 games and recording a sack as a true freshman. But his decision to change positions, moving to linebacker with Faanes’ guidance, jolted him into the rotation as a sophomore, appearing in 14 games, making one start, and totaling 33 tackles, four tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

“For me, I moved to linebacker (from edge) early last year. Coach Faanes was huge in getting me ready to play that position,” Schmitz said. “I feel like I’ve taken leaps and bounds in my knowledge and preparation for the position.”

Following three seasons at Ohio under Albin, Taylor garnered offers from Penn State, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and other Power Four programs after choosing to enter the transfer portal. He ultimately turned down more NIL money to reunite with Albin and Faanes, and will serve as the “Mike” linebacker in Faanes’ defense. He will wear the helmet headset and communicate with the staff to share the play-call with his unit.

And for Charlotte fans itching to see the new faces take the field against Appalachian State at Bank of America Stadium in less than 30 days, Taylor talked about what he brings to the defense.

“That true Mike (linebacker) presence,” Taylor said. “As far as commanding the field, being the field general is what I take pride in. More now than ever, because guys are new to the playbook.”