Spring Football Notes

NOTES:

** 2017 will be the 49ers third year at the FBS level as a member of Conference USA and fifth overall.

** Charlotte went 3-5 in Conference USA, last year, registering its first-ever C-USA victories. The 49ers were 5th in the East Division and tied for 8th overall with that 3-5 mark.

** The Charlotte 49ers start-up football program took the fast track to the FBS. The program debuted in 2013 and played for two years (2013, 2014) as an FCS Independent before making the jump to the FBS and Conference USA in 2015. The 49ers were invited to be a member of Conference USA in the summer of 2012 – before holding their first practice.

** Head coach Brad Lambert and his 10-man full-time staff have over 160 years of collegiate coaching experience. Lambert (28), and coordinators Jeff Mullen (26) and Matt Wallerstedt (25) each have 25 or more years of collegiate coaching experience as do new additions Greg Adkins (26) and Keith Henry (27).

** Lambert has some NFL Experience on his staff, starting with DL coach Aaron Curry, who played in the NFL for five years, OL coach Greg Adkins, who recently coached with the NFL Buffalo Bills for two years and Player Development coordinator Kevin Donnalley, who enjoyed an 11-year NFL career, most notably with the Carolina Panthers.

** The 49ers return 12 starters, including Conference USA all-Freshmen selections LB Tyriq Harris and DB Ben DeLuca, a PFF freshman all-America, along with HM all-C-USA choices OL Nate Davis and KR Chris Montgomery. In addition, the 49ers return starting QB Hasaan Klugh, who had a 116.47 passing efficiency and led the 49ers with 8 rushing TDs. He threw for 10 TDs with just 3 picks in starting seven games (3-4). Klugh oversaw each of the 49ers first-ever C-USA wins. Charlotte also returns second-leading tackler LB Karrington King (73 tackles), who is on pace to become the 49ers all-time tackles leader and DB Ed Rolle, who shared the team lead with three interceptions.

** Klugh has a strong set of targets to throw to including returning starters TL Ford, Trent Bostick, who started his first three seasons before red-shirting in 2016 and Workpeh Kofa, as well as senior Uriah LeMay and slot receivers Mark Quattlebaum and Chris Montgomery.

** Charlotte lost 2016 HM all-Conference USA RB Kalif Phillips buts returns So. RBs Benny LeMay and Robert Washington, who both made nice impacts as freshman, last year. ** Charlotte returns 14 of its 18 rushing TDs (Klugh, 8; Washington, 5; Montgomery 1) and nine of its 17 receiving TDs (Kofa, 5; Ford II, 4).

** The 49ers coaching staff includes two personnel changes from 2016 which altered some of the position responsibilities: Lambert hired Greg Adkins to take over the Offensive Line and Run Game Coordinator positions in place of Dean Hood, who departed for Kentucky. Johnson Richardson moves from the O-Line back to tight ends. Lambert brought in Keith Henry as running backs coach, replacing Joe Tereshinski, who was the receivers coaches. Former RB coach Damien Gary will take over the receivers. OLB Coach Ulrick Edmonds replaces Tereshinki as Recruiting Coordinator.

** Charlotte will be without its first recruiting class for the first time in program history. That 19-member class completed its eligibility in 2016 --with notable losses: DL Larry Ogunjobi; WR Austin Duke; LB Daquan Lucas & DL Brandon Banks. In addition, the 49ers also lost seniors like RB Kalif Phillips and LB Nick Cook, forcing the 49ers to replace a 27-member senior class.

** DL Larry Ogunjobi who started all 46 games in school history and graduated as the 49ers career leader in tackles, TFL, sacks and QB hurries, was the first 49ers player invited to the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine.