CarlP's 2026 Position Outlooks 📝

[CarlP]

We definitely like the same style of runner. Here is AJ Oullette in the CFL, still running tough. He came to Ohio as a walkon. Frank Solich saw him in practice, and saw to it that he was issued the number that Solich himself wore in college. (When he picked up his jersey, he was surprised, and said “this isn’t a number I asked for”). He was awarded a scholarship before the season started. In the first game he went in as the #5 running back, but got in the game because of fumbles. He started game 2, and every game after it. Albin was the running back coach at the time, and he knew talent when he saw it.

AJ Ouellette: "I'm Not Going Down" | Replay Room

No, Charlotte doesn’t have an AJ or or a LeMay, but I think Perteet can be very good. I’m hoping that Cobb puts on 10 lbs of muscle in the offseason. He was just a Freshman last year, and he can get a lot stronger by the time he’s a Senior.

[CarlP]

Turning to the defense, I’ll start with DT, because that’s where defenses start. The DT’s set the tone of the defense. They need to stuff runs. They need to push the line back. Most importantly, they need to keep the offensive linemen off of the linebackers so that the linebackers can flow laterally and make the stops.

Lost: 4 players, 10 total starts, 55 total tackles

• Zion Shockley (out of eligibility) - 5 Starts, 6 other appearances, 12 total tackles
• Xavier Miles (to Memphis) - 3 starts, 8 other games, 17 total tackles
• Cheick Kaba (still in portal) - 2 starts, 9 other games, 14 total tackles
• Jalar Holley (out of eligibility) - no starts, 12 games, 12 total tackles

Returning: 6 players, 14 total starts, 47 total tackles

• Jamarrion Solomon - 7 starts, 4 other games, 29 tackles
• Caleb Irving - 4 starts, 6 other games, 12 tackles
• Taz Williams - 2 starts, 2 other games , 4 tackles (was injured most of the season)
• Jaylen Doss - 1 game, 2 total tackles
• Ayo Tifase (inj all season)
• Tristen Brown (redshirted) - walkon from Concord, NH

Portal: Three players who look really good

• D’Nas White - From Concord, NC, 6’4” 335, former FSU recruit, committed to transfer to Florida, then somehow ended up at Catawba. Should be a R-So.
• Devin Ancrum - another gift from Belichick, I was impressed with his High school highlights. Will be a R-Fr
• Lewis Price-Law - another R- Fr, from Div 2 Wingate

Freshmen: None

JUCO:

• Elijah Jackson - From Hutchinson, Kansas

Conclusion: Last year’s interior defensive line changed from week to week as injuries took their toll. I believe that the starters were supposed to be Tifase and Williams, and both were hurt all or most of the season. Four players left, but they were just role players; there were no stars. Six players return, and should be a year stronger and better, and four new players arrive, 3 from the portal, and a JUCO. All the arrivals look outstanding. With last year’s projected starters back, and four new players, any of whom could start, plus last year’s leading tackler, a couple of redshirt freshmen, this group looks stacked with talent. I hope the injuries don’t bite this area again this year, but even if someone gets hurt, there is a lot of talent here that can go 3-4 deep.

Even better, most of this talent is very young. If I’m right, there are 4 Redshirt Freshmen (Ancrum, Doss, Brown, Price-Law) and 3 Sophomores or Redshirt Sophomores (Jackson, White, Irving), plus a Junior (Solomon). I’m sure that some players will leave via the portal next year, but this position should be solid for a few years.

[Nineradvocate]

I am optimistic that the DT group will be much improved next season. That will of course be foundational to an overall defensive improvement.

Holley’s lack of production last season was interesting. He played a lot of snaps for us in prior seasons.

[CarlP]

I think Holley was not fully healthy last year. He managed to play in every game, but he didn’t have a lot of tackles. He did also have a half sack against ECU.

[CarlP]

Next up is the defensive ends. That was a position that was seriously limited with injuries last year, with projected starting edge Burgess sidelined all season, and his backup, Johnson also out for part of it.

Lost: Three players gone, 13 starts, 68 tackles, 3 sacks, and an int

• Braden Mullen (out of elig) - Strt 10 games, played the other 2. Had 19 tackles and a half sack.
• Yamil Talib (to Colorado) - 2 starts, played the other 10. 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an int
• Jorel Liverpool (out of elig) - 1 start, played the other 11. 21 tackles, 1 sack

Returning: 3 key players return, Burgess, Johnson, and Simpson. 11 starts, 55 tackles return.

• DJ Burgess (should be able to redshirt last year) - 1 start, 2 tackles, then injured
• Jaylon Johnson - 7 starts, played 3 others, 20 tackles, 1 sack
• Curtis Simpson - 4 starts, played 7 others, 31 tackles, 2.5 sacks
• Kendall Brown - played 2 games, 2 tackles
• Chris Morton (redshirted)
• Takeo Massey (redshirted)

Portal: Shaku Sangarie - From Drake. I can’t find much info on him, but will be a R-Jr

Freshmen: Some really talented Freshmen are coming in, and some may play

• Colin Bussey - looks amazing, 3 P4 offers, including Georgia, along with 11 G6 offers
• Maximus Jansenvanvuren - could play either TE or DE, 2 P4 offers, 5 G6 offers
• Kaiden Bower - plays smart, 5 G6 offers
• Michael Domanik - could play OLB or DE, had 12 G6 offers, including 4 from the AAC

Conclusion: It was disappointing to lose Talib, who was developing into a star, but thankfully Simpson withdrew from the portal. With Burgess and Johnson back, the Edge side should be OK. I have a hunch that “Big O” Doss will also play Edge, and play well. I’m not sure where Sangarie fits in. Simpson will surely start on the Jack side, but I’m not sure who will back him up. How strong all these positions are partly depends on the true freshmen, and I expect at least 2 of them to play. My guess is we see Bussey and Domanik on the field early.

Overall I see this position as a question mark, neither really good, nor a real problem. If everyone stays healthy, it will be better than last year. If the incoming Freshmen play early, and play well, it could be a surprise. If not, it still should be adequate, and I have some confidence in Burgess, Johnson, and SImpson.

[CarlP]

Now Iinebackers, the position where they brought in the least, because they have confidence in what they already have.

Lost: Some big losses, 13 starts, 137 tackles, 6 sacks

• Shay Taylor (out of elig) - 10 starts, inj for 2, 62 tackles, 2 sacks
• Reid Williford (out of elig) - 3 starts, 9 other games, 74 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble
• Jonathon Okate (out of elig) - played 12 games, 1 tackle
• Justin Hayes (out of elig) - played 4 games, no tackles

Returning: 13 starts. 121 tackles, 2 int

• Kaden Scmitz - 11 starts, played the other game, 65 tackles, 2 int, 1 forced fumble
• Gavin Willis - 2 starts, played the other 10 games, 55 tackles
• Stellen Bowman - played 4 games, 4 tackles. I suspect he was redshirted. Was Taylor’s backup at Ohio
• Parker Startz - played in 6 games, 1 tackle
• Will Estes - redshirted

Portal: None

JUCO:

• Jerry Wall III - looks fast, strong, and smart

Freshmen:

• Latrell Sellers - offers from Wake, USF, and Navy, plus 3 other G6, a hitter and pass defender, may play safety as he is small
• Gray Patterson - offer from S. Carolina and Rice, looks smart

Conclusions: Despite the loss of Taylor and Williford, the lack of portal players indicates that the coaches have confidence in who they have. I think that Schmitz, Willis, Bowman, and Wall will make it a very solid position next year.

[Nineradvocate]

We haven’t had a difference maker at Edge since Alex Highsmith or Markees Watts (OLB). This is another position where I’d love to see someone emerge. I thought it was going to be Talib, but I guess it’s next man up now.

[ninerfan55]

I think Simpson is that guy

[CarlP]

I like Simpson, but he flirted with the portal already, so this may be his last year at Charlotte. The difference maker I’m looking for at Edge is Bussey, but again, how long will he stay?

[CarlP]

And now, for the last of the defense, the DBs. Like the offensive line, the DBs are nearly half of the defense, 5 of 11 players. Also, like the offensive line, it’s a nearly complete rebuild, with 80% of the productivity gone. I have no idea what to expect. There so many new players that, hopefully, they can find 4 new starters and some solid backups.

Lost: 11 players, 46 starts, 317 tackles, 4 int, 14 pass defended, 3 forced fumbles

• Ja’Qurious Conley (out of elig) - 11 starts, 64 tackles, 3 int, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass defended
• Treyveon McGee (out of elig) - 10 starts, 24 tackles, 1 pass defended
• Cary Grant (to App St) - 8 starts, 4 other games, 45 tackles
• Dwight Bootle (to Arizona) - 6 starts, 6 other games, 38 tackles, 1 pass defended
• Thai Baldwin (out of elig) - 5 starts, 7 other games, 20 tackles, 4 passes defended
• Caleb Curtain (out of elig) - 3 starts, 9 other games, 36 tackles
• Gavin Shipman (out of elig) - 1 start, 9 other games, 10 tackles, 1 int, 2 pass defended
• Randy Franklin (out of elig) - 2 starts, 10 other games, 59 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass defended
• Derrick Edwards (out of elig) - 11 games, 18 tackles, 2 pass defended
• Noel Breon (out of elig) - 12 games, 3 tackles
• Aydan Cannon (still in portal) - did not play

Returning: 9 players, 12 starts, 97 tackles, 0 Int, 1 pass defended, 2 forced fumbles

• CJ Clinkscales - 12 starts, 49 tackles, 1 forced fumble
• Colin Gill - 12 games, 35 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble
• Dy’Lon Womack (was true freshman) - 10 games, 10 tackles
• Cornell Allen - 12 games, 3 tackles
• Seth Franklin - 11 games, no stats
• DeQuinder Williams - 4 games, no stats
• Devin St. Clair - redshirted
• Tyson Craig - redshirted
• Kameron Manley - did not play

Portal: 2 players

• Jameel Croft, Jr - from Kansas, played in 5 games, mostly special teams, 1 tackle
• Shamar McIntosh - from Maryland, 1 tackle

JUCO: 4 players

• Tradarius Smith - had 8 G6 offers, including Temple and UTSA
• Nireek Sharpe - had 4 G6 offers
• Zayden Laing-Taylor - had 9 G 6 offers, including ECU
• JP Patterson - had 8 G5 offers, including App St

Freshmen: 6 players

• Antonio Blakely - 7 P4 offers, including Michigan, Georgia, and Penn State
• Josh Hines - Offers from WVU, ECU, and 4 other G6
• Chase Usher - Offer from Purdue, plus 2 G6 offers
• Jarell Turner - 2 G6 offers
• Maddox West - 2 FCS offers
• Spencer Makuch - preferred walkon?

Conclusions: I conclude…that I have no idea what to expect. Clinkscales is the only returning starter. Gill was a solid backup, and might be a starter. Womack impressed me last year with his tackling, and, as well as he played last year, might be a starter. Then you have 2 P4 players who did not play, and 4 player from JUCO, but JUCO players do not always succeed at this level. Finally, you have a group of what appear to be very talented Freshmen, and DB is a position where Freshmen often play. I will not be surprised at all to see Blakely and Usher play early, and Hines might as well. In addition to the above, either Freshman Sellers and JUCO Wall might end up at Safety.

There are a lot of parts here, and from them, I hope they can find a solid backfield, but really, I have no idea what it will look like.

[Nineradvocate]

Secondary looks like another complete rebuild. Didn’t realize it was that bad. They are doing what we always do - signing a bunch of guys and hoping we can find 6 or so who can actually play.

[CarlP]

And, now for special teams and a wrap up.

Lost:

• Liam Boyd (to Michigan State) - was the PK
• Colby Garfield (out of eligibility) - was the LS
• Andrew Bennett (to James Madison) - backup punter, did not play

Returning:

• Bronson Long - awesome punter, glad he’s back
• Ian Kelly - backup punter and placekicker?
• Aiden Bui - backup place kicker?

Portal:

• Heary Searcy (from Pitt) - Long Snapper, highly rated by Kohls

Conclusion: They did not seem to be trying to add any place kickers or punters, except that, late in the portal game, they apparently made an offer to Charlie Birtwistle of NC State, known for his booming leg. My guess is that either Aiden Bui or Ian Kelly have proven to be fine place kickers, but that, both of them are small in stature, and they may not be able to consistently kick it out of the endzone. Bui is 5’9” and 160 lbs, while Kelly is 6’0” and 160 lbs. Since Birtwistle apparently didn’t sign, I guess we’ll see other teams returning some kicks, but that will not be the end of the world.

Wrap Up:

We all different opinions, as we should. I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything, so take my opinions with a grain of salt. I hope that by organizing the departures and arrivals by position group, I’ve been helpful in people figuring out what has changed, and the likelihood of Charlotte being worse, the same, slightly better, or much better than last year.

For some positions, I think it’s obvious that play will be better than last year, such as QB, TE, and DT, but it’s hard to know if the improvement will be large or small. Other areas, such as OL and DB, there is so much turnover, that the most we can say is that it will be very different, and might be better, or might be worse. Still other areas, such as LB and WR, a lot of talent was lost, but a lot of talent was either already there as backups, or was brought in, so things should be fine, but will they be a little better, or a little worse? I don’t know.

Will the overall team be better or worse? Ah, the hard question. On the whole, I think it will be better, but that totally depends, in my opinion, on a single position group: the offensive line. On offense, the other positions are solid enough that, if the offensive line can make holes, the offense will be able to sustain drives, put points on the board, and let the defense get some rest. If they can, the games will be more even, and Charlotte will win some. If the offensive line is no better, this season will be more of the same, regardless of the other changes to the team.

Note: I have no doubt that, in all the stuff I (and not AI) wrote, there are some errors in there. If you see one, please feel free to let me know, and I will correct it. Also, the “returning players” sections are my best guess. Some of the players listed may elect not to return. There may also be players who I thought were out of eligibility, yet who have another year.

[CarlP]

Having reached the end of this long thread, lol, and considering all the departures and arrivals, do you think that the 2026 team will be:

• Much, much better than last year (mid-AAC or better)
• Much better than last year (somewhat below middle of AAC)
• A fair amount better than last year (not last in AAC)
• Slightly better than last year (competitive in games)
• Same as last year
• Worse than last year

[ninermac]

Awesome analysis @CarlP! Right now, you’re by far the best thing Albin has brought to Charlotte. Here’s to that changing this upcoming season and both he and you stick around.

[49erForever]

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[Amnesiac1]

They must of brought in Gonzales to be the starter, right?, no way they didnt attempt to significantly upgrade the QB position.

Cant win in the AAC without a really good QB, they must know this after going thru the league for one season?

[CarlP]

Thank you. I just thought that when you look at a dizzying array of names of people coming and going, it’s hard to put a finger on what might be better, and what might be worse, so it would help if it all got sorted by position. I had the data anyway, so it was just a matter of sorting it, and figuring out how to present it so that it didn’t turn into a wall of text. I also didn’t want to come off as telling people “oh, its going to be much better”, or something; I wanted to lay it out so that people could think it through and make their own, independent decisions as to what they expect.

[Noreaster]

Gonzales has a longer track record to look at so he has to be the favorite heading into spring practices, I would imagine. When is Harrell supposed to be back healthy? In time for a competition?

Can’t win with Loftis, I don’t think. And the freshmen will get a year or two to develop? I don’t know anything about them.

[CarlP]

Harrell was injured on Sept. 18th against Rice. I think it is normally about 1 year recovery time, probably sometimes a little more, and sometimes a little less. He almost certainly will not be available for Spring practice, which will put him behind the others, but he should be available by early in the season. I don’t know if Jaylen White enrolled early, but if he didn’t, then Spring Practice will just be Gonzales, Loftis, and McNulty, giving those three the edge going into Fall camp.

[mobrien15]

Or even a Calvin Camp