Charlotte 49ers football: New-look offense taking shape in spring practices

Through two weeks of Charlotte’s spring football session, the 49ers are beginning to find an identity on offense. And after last season’s struggles, it’s not what you may think.

After rushing for just 81.8 yards per game last season, the worst in the American Conference, Tim Albin and offensive coordinator Todd Fitch have completely revamped the offensive line and added three new running backs to the fold.

Amid a sea of new faces on offense is returning tailback Henry Rutledge, who saw just two carries last season before being sidelined with injury. Preparing for his final year of college football, Rutledge is pleased with the new additions up front and ready to get back on the field.

“That’s one of the main differences. We’ve got bigger bodies, and our team is a little closer. We’re having fun in the locker room, and there’s a lot of energy out here,” Rutledge told the media. “It’s going to be dangerous, and we’ve got five backs that can tote the ball. Our identity is going to be trying to run the ball and make plays.”

Charlotte 49ers’ revamped offense

Recruiting the trenches was a focal point for Albin and Fitch, with the latter returning for his second year as offensive coordinator following a program-worst 14.3 points per game last season.

Rutledge and promising freshman Jariel Cobb are the only returnees at running back, with Khamani Alexander (Appalachian State), D’Mariun Perteet (Coastal Carolina) and Chance Williams (Cincinnati) joining the group. The 49ers are looking to replace the team’s leading rusher, Rod Gainey Jr. (260 yards), who landed at LSU with Lane Kiffin.

Fitch was complimentary of the additions, with the 49ers’ offense taking strides that weren’t present at this time last year.

“The biggest difference is that the guys we brought in through the high school and transfer portal classes, this group has a better football IQ,” Fitch said. “This group is more deliberate and has done a really nice job absorbing the information. We did a nice job up front and in the running-back room, too.”

Henry Rutledge’s return

In today’s age of college football, there aren’t many players who stick with the same program for the entirety of their career. When doomscrolling social media, it is more likely that you see a transfer portal graphic with a handful of programs on it than you are to see a player announcing their return to a school.

But that wasn’t the case for Rutledge, who is the longest tenured 49er on the roster and has played for three of the program’s four coaches. Some would call him “Unc.”

Rutledge spent two years under Will Healy, enjoying the victory over Duke in Charlotte’s only Power Four win, and scored his first touchdown in Charlotte’s final dub before parting ways with Healy, back in 2022. And while vastly underused under Biff Poggi, seeing just 26 carries spanning two seasons (despite posting the highest average rush on the team), Rutledge elected to stay in green and gold and play for Tim Albin.

But what was in line to be a breakout year last season turned into the injured reserve for Rutledge. He suffered a lower-body injury before the season, missing the season-opener against Appalachian State. And he saw just two carries against the Tar Heels before being sidelined for the final 10 games.

“I didn’t realize how much I loved football until it was taken away from me,” Rutledge said. “Seeing our team, I’m just ready to get back and help our team win. We know we’re not going to go 1-11 (again).”

Cole Gonzales is a ‘gunslinger’

Since 2021, when he committed to Healy, Rutledge has seen the highs and lows out of quarterbacks for the 49ers. But with newcomer quarterback Cole Gonzales joining the team this season after three years with Western Carolina and one season in the ACC with Pittsburgh, Rutledge loves what he sees.

“We got some quarterbacks. Cole (Gonzales) is a real gunslinger,” Rutledge said with a smile.

And Fitch’s comments echoed that, citing Gonzales’ experience and instincts.

“The second half of spring will be evaluating where we’re at. It’s a good (quarterback) room. Cole (Gonzales) has played a lot of football, so I expect him to understand the game, even though it’s a new system,” said Fitch. “You look at Cole’s tape at Western; you can see the ball come out of his hand instinctively. He’s shown that, and now he’s learning a new language every day.”

Charlotte will begin the scrimmage portion of spring practice next week, and we’ll see pads popping, position battles taking shape, and the foundation of an important second season under Albin.

But what is the message to the team, looking to right the ship after a tumultuous 1-11 season? It’s simple, according to Fitch.

“Shut up and work.”

This story was originally published April 6, 2026 at 6:00 AM.