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Charlotte football aiming for second bowl berth in program history in 2020

By Michael Hanich

BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY - OCTOBER 19: Benny LeMay #32 of the Charlotte 49ers runs with the ball against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first quarter of the game on October 19, 2019 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY - OCTOBER 19: Benny LeMay #32 of the Charlotte 49ers runs with the ball against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first quarter of the game on October 19, 2019 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Juwan Foggie and Henry Segura, Charlotte football (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Defensive line, secondary key to Charlotte’s success

Charlotte will have to go through the loss of some of their top players on the defensive side of the ball from last season.

With a small amount of time left, the 49ers must be able to reload instead of stress about the loss of impact that their top seniors did the previous season. They return seven starters from last year’s defense that was ranked 103rd (11th in the conference) in points allowed per game (32.4) and 59th in total yards allowed per game (380.9).

There is good news with this defense as they will be in the second-year building process of defensive coordinators Brandon Cooper and Marcus West. Both coaches are looking for impact at multiple position groups instead of having an NFL-caliber talented player like Alex Highsmith carry the entire defense. There is much work to do in one group, there is potential for the entire defense to be one of the top defenses in the conferences.

On the defensive line, there is a tremendous loss at the end with Highsmith now in the NFL. The 49ers return three main starting defensive linemen from last year’s defense that accounted for 36 total sacks. Markees Watts started all 13 games as a sophomore for the 49ers as he accumulated 62 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. That number could increase in 2020 as he will be the main pass rusher for the defense. Tyriq Harris returns as the other starting defensive end after missing 2019 with an injury.

Timmy Horne has played in 37 career games while starting in 24 of them. He will take Highsmith’s place as the starting one-technique defensive tackle. Expect there to be a position battle for the three-technique defensive tackle in Bryan Wallace and former Vanderbilt Commodore Siah Sa’o. Wallace has the experience with the 49ers with 15 games and five starts.

Henry Segura returns as the starting middle linebacker as he had 66 total tackles and seven tackles for loss last season.

The 49ers will look for solid potential starters at the two outside linebacker positions. Jaylon Sharpe played 11 games as a true freshman last season as he will be a clear top candidate as a starter. Former Penn State Nittany Lion Brelin Faison-Walden played in 13 games with two starts this past season. This is the position group that will require more development as the 49ers’ defense was ranked 97th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (191.9).

In the secondary, the 49ers return three starters from last year’s unit that was ranked 14th in the nation (second in the conference) in passing yards allowed per game (189). This was because the 49ers had more trouble stopping the opposing rushing attack. They are a solid unit, however, as they will be more experienced as potential key playmakers.

The long-time starter in strong safety Ben DeLuca returns after missing 11 games this past season with a season-ending injury. He was named to Athlon Sports’ preseason first-team All-C-USA and he’s a dynamic defender in stopping the run and covering against the passing game.

Nafees Lyon will be the main star coverage once again this season as he was named to Athlon Sports’ preseason All-C-USA second team. The 49ers can expect an immediate impact from Duke transfer Antone Williams.

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