2025 Charlotte 49er Football 🏈

Nineradvocate · July 23, 2025, 11:54am

That preview cements concerns:

With Chaney gone / ineligible, really wish we hadnt lost all 3 proven RBs to the portal. Rutledge is a potential home run threat whenever he gets the ball in space, but is he an every down back? Doubtful.
There is almost nothing written about the defensive line. For a reason. Suspect we will be reading about it a lot after every loss.
WR room is probably deep enough to produce a good set of starters, but OL looks like it gets really thin, very fast. We can’t afford any injuries here this season.
We lost a heck of a kicker from last season. In tight games we may feel this one.

I’ll be looking at these 4 positions plus the always important QB battle in the App game. Should tell us a lot about the season.

rcronin7028 · July 23, 2025, 12:25pm

I think RB will be a legit committee. Maybe the hot hand plays more each game. I see Gainey making a jump. Stokes is legit if healthy. Rutledge is not a three down back but deserves more touches

switchfoot · July 23, 2025, 1:36pm

I am definitely anxious about the running back position. I like Rutledge a lot but I wouldn’t trust him to be an every down back.

With that said, there’s a lot of unknowns going into this season and hopefully some pleasant surprises.

MHH2006 · July 23, 2025, 5:46pm

Cameren Smith looks like another rb that could be good for us based on his stats from last season. Also had over 300 yards receiving. And the freshman Cobb could help out too. There is some depth there behind Stokes, Gainey and Rutledge.

CarlP · July 23, 2025, 5:48pm

The top two running backs this fall will be:

Gainey & Rutledge
Gainey & Stokes
Gainey & Cobb
Gainey & Smith
Rutledge & Stokes
Rutlege & Cobb
Rutlege & Smith
Stokes & Cobb
Stokes & Smith
Cobb & Smith
Other (include either Guenther or Davids)

0 voters

ninerfan55 · July 23, 2025, 5:57pm

I would be surprised if dline is a weaknesses this season. I like what we brought in, especially at esge rushee

CarlP · July 23, 2025, 9:07pm

The picture at RB seems murky, but personally, I’m confident that whoever ends up at the top will get the job done.

scollie41 · July 24, 2025, 9:29am

I think you need to consider the dynamic of which QB gets the start and how that impacts the running game too. Harrell is supposed to be more of a dual threat QB so if the offense is built around him (i.e. lots of RPO, scrambling and QB designed runs) then you can rotate your RB much easier based on down & distance. If you go with a more traditional QB that is not likely to scramble, it could put more pressure on the RB (and FB) position to produce yards…..especially if Albin really wants to chew clock which I think will be his style.

Ninereast1 · July 24, 2025, 10:51am

Good points. Harrell adds another dimension to the run game, so he may be the week 1 starter.

CarlP · July 24, 2025, 1:40pm

In fairness, Loftis, as the better passer, also adds another dimension, just not the same one. I suspect Wilcke is somewhere in the middle, perhaps the 2d best runner and the 2d best passer. It’s up to Albin and Fitch to decide which skill combination will work the best. To me, the key will be intangibles. Which one is the best leader? Which one is the winner, who performs best under pressure?