Charlotte 49ers quarterback spot still wide open

You knew Charlotte 49ers football coach Brad Lambert was serious about an open competition for the quarterback spot when he said Lee McNeill was the starter entering spring practice.

McNeill, who has started three games in his career, was ahead of Matt Johnson and redshirt freshman Brooks Barden on the depth chart that exists now only in the heads of Lambert and offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen.

That was surprising, seeing as how Johnson had been the team’s unquestioned starter since the program’s 2013 inception, until he hurt his knee in the eighth game of last season against James Madison.

But McNeill played well in relief of Johnson, well enough for Lambert to feel like Johnson would have to win the job back.

There’s reason to think that Johnson might be in position to win his job back when the 49ers begin fall practice. He was the only one of the three to stay healthy during spring practice (McNeill missed time with a hamstring injury; Barden missed about a week with illness).

All three played essentially the same amount of time in the spring game (Barden and Johnson six series, McNeill five).

Here’s what Lambert says about the quarterbacks as summer begins for the 49ers, who open their first season in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of Conference USA with a nonconference game Sept. 4 at Georgia State:

Johnson: “He’s a guy who has played so much for us and that’s an advantage. He throws a really good deep ball and is a physical runner. You know he’s going to get some yards for you. He’s a tough guy.”

McNeill: “Lee has a calmness about him, and I was impressed with what he did last year when he played for us and this spring. He’s got a temperament that’s good for the position. He sees the field so well and does a nice job of throwing. He runs faster than anybody thinks. He got hampered by that hamstring pull in the spring.”

Barden: “Brooks is kind of a combo guy. He’s a big and long guy (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) who sees the field really well. He can run. He’s not afraid of contact, although he’s not as physical as Matt. But he’s got a calm demeanor, as well.”

Bottom line: “It’s going to be a tough decision for us. All three are winners, so I really like the spot we’re in with them. It’s going to be an interesting process once we get to August, especially through the first two weeks.”

Davidson coaching changes

Davidson football coach Paul Nichols has made some changes to his staff. Jarrail Jackson, a former Oklahoma receiver who was director of player relations at Washington State, was hired as the Wildcats’ quarterback coach. Will Windham, a graduate assistant at Penn State last season, is Davidson’s new defensive line coach.

Nichols also promoted Derham Cato to offensive coordinator. Diauntae Morrow adds special teams and tight ends to his duties as running backs coach, and defensive backs coach David Parrott is now recruiting coordinator.

This story was originally published May 5, 2015 at 6:17 PM with the headline "Charlotte 49ers quarterback spot still wide open."