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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Charlotte

Previous 15 Notes

Next 15 Notes

08/01/20 - Chris Reynolds, rSr/2023, Charlotte + More +

2020 MANNING AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Chris Reynolds, Jr., Charlotte,...A former walk-on, Reynolds earned all-Conference USA honorable mention from the league's coaches after setting a school record with 22 passing TDs and leading the league with a school-record 153.60 passing efficiency. He passed for over 2500 yards and was the team's second-leading rusher with 791 yards, the most ever by a 49ers quarterback. He had a .622 completion pct. (181-of-291) and averaged 197.2 passing yards and 258.1 yards of total offense. He ranked in the FBS top 15 in passing yards/attempt (8.81, 12th FBS) and passing yards/completion (14.17, 13th FBS). - Charlotte Football

rSr/2023

QB Chris Reynolds, Charlotte
News Source: Charlotte Football
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07/28/20 - Romeo McKnight, rSr/2021, Charlotte + More +

2020 PHIL STEELE/DRAFTSCOUT PRESEASON ALL-FCS FIRST TEAM: DL Romeo McKnight, Illinois St, Sr.,...McKnight spearheaded a dominant Redbird defense that ranked in the Top 10 in eight national defensive categories, including team sacks with 52, which also ranked No. 2 in all of NCAA Division I football. The Crystal Lake, Illinois, product was a 2019 All-MVFC First Team selection at defensive end and ranked fourth in the league in sacks (12.0) and TFLs (16.5). He added 64 tackles, including 36 solo stops, and was also credited with two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and 10 quarterback hurries on the year. McKnight was dominant in the second-round playoff win at Central Arkansas, recording seven tackles and three sacks to help ISU advance to the FCS quarterfinals. - Illinois State Football

rSr/2021

DE Romeo McKnight, Charlotte
News Source: Illinois State Football
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07/28/20 - James Foster, rSr/2024, Charlotte + More +

Four days after Tank Jenkins began the process of transferring from Texas A&M, his cousin is now set to leave the Aggies too. Quarterback James Foster entered the NCAA transfer portal Friday night, AL.com has learned. Like Jenkins, Foster is a Montgomery, Ala. native and was part of Texas A&M's 2018 signing class. After redshirting in 2018, the Lanier High School product was the Aggies' third-string quarterback last year and was set to enter the fall once again third on the depth chart behind returning starter Kellen Mond and redshirt freshman Zach Calzada. - Birmingham News

rSr/2024

QB James Foster, Charlotte
News Source: Birmingham News
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07/26/20 - Chris Reynolds, rSr/2023, Charlotte + More +

2020 PRESEASON MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST: QB Chris Reynolds, Charlotte,...Reynolds earned all-Conference USA honorable mention from the league's coaches after setting a school record with 22 passing TDs and leading the league with a school-record 153.60 passing efficiency in 2019. He passed for over 2500 yards and was the team's second-leading rusher with 791 yards, the most ever by a 49ers quarterback. He had a .622 completion pct. (181-of-291) and averaged 197.2 passing yards and 258.1 yards of total offense. - Charlotte Football

rSr/2023

QB Chris Reynolds, Charlotte
News Source: Charlotte Football
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07/26/20 - Tyriq Harris, rSr/2022, Charlotte + More +

2020 WUERFFEL TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Tyriq Harris, Charlotte, senior, defensive line,...This is the second straight season that Harris has been named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. He was named to the 2019 List, but missed the season with injury. Harris graduated cum laude with a degree in biology last spring and has served as a team captain in 2018 and 2019. Despite missing the season, Harris received the team's Coaches' Award following their first-ever bowl season for the positive impact he continued to have on the team. He earned 2018 all-Conference USA Honorable Mention and was named 2018 third-team all-C-USA by Phil Steele. Additionally, Harris ranks ninth in career tackles (149) and sixth in career sacks (6.0). - Charlotte Football

rSr/2022

OLB Tyriq Harris, Charlotte
News Source: Charlotte Football
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07/25/20 - Victor Tucker, rSr/2023, Charlotte + More +

2020 PRESEASON BILETNIKOFF AWARD WATCH LIST: Victor Tucker, Charlotte,...Tucker, the 49ers standout junior wide receiver, ranked third in C-USA with a 89.9 receiving average in C-USA games, last year and led the league with five 100-yard receiving games vs. league opponents. He led the 49ers with a school FBS record of 909 receiving yards and seven TD catches. He averaged 69.9 yds/gm and 17.5 yds/catch and led the 49ers with 26 catches of 15 or more yards . All seven TD catches were 15 or more yards, including a 58-yard TD at Old Dominion that was the longest of the season for the 49ers. - Charlotte Football

rSr/2023

WR Victor Tucker, Charlotte
News Source: Charlotte Football
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07/25/20 - Jaelin Fisher, rSr/2021, Charlotte + More +

2020 OUTLAND TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST: C Jaelin Fisher, Charlotte,...Fisher anchored an offensive line that led Conference USA and ranked 30th in the nation in rushing with a school FBS record 203.0 yards per game, last year. In addition, the O-Line allowed just 1.62 sacks per game, tied for 32nd-fewest in the nation. Thanks to the strong rushing attack, led by first team all-C-USA running back Benny LeMay, Charlotte ranked 25th in the FBS with a time of possession of 31:59.

Fisher, who started 12 games, last year, was on the Watch List for the 2019 Rimington Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's top center. When Charlotte played at top-ranked Clemson, Fisher was given the honor of wearing the program's #49 jersey. He was the 49ers starting center in Charlotte first-ever bowl game: the 2019 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl. - Charlotte Football

rSr/2021

C Jaelin Fisher, Charlotte
News Source: Charlotte Football
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07/14/20 - Jon Alexander, rSr/2022, Charlotte + More +

As Kansas State's football team got back to work Monday, the athletics department announced that two student-athletes are now isolated with active coronavirus cases. One of those active cases is publicly known: Jonathan Alexander, a senior defensive back. Alexander revealed his status on social media Monday. "Yes, I tested positive for COVID-19," Alexander wrote on Twitter. "I don't have any symptoms though, and if you know me you know I keep my room clean and my body clean, so I believe I'll be straight. Thanks for all prayers and the love!"

He also remained upbeat in an earlier tweet Monday. "I'm spreading good vibes till I'm clear of COVID just in case (I don't) make it through," Alexander wrote, adding a pair of emojis, one involving fingers crossed and another featuring a laughing face. Since K-State's athletics department began testing last month, 29 student-athletes have tested positive for COVID-19 following PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing of 190 student-athletes. - Manhattan Mercury

rSr/2022

OLB Jon Alexander, Charlotte
News Source: Manhattan Mercury
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06/27/20 - Jon Alexander, rSr/2022, Charlotte + More +

Some of Kansas State's Black student-athletes want the university to take action. And if their demands aren't met, they are prepared to sit out all athletics-related events. It comes in the wake of a controversial tweet sent out by K-State student Jaden McNeil on Thursday, which has since gone viral, with the university making headlines across the country. "Congratulations to George Floyd on being drug free for an entire month!" McNeil wrote in the tweet. The other message, shared by rising senior defensive back Jonathan Alexander, had the same two demands listed verbatim. The differences came in the wording of the opening and closing paragraphs.

"As student-athletes of color, and students of color at Kansas State University, we understand that as athletes we have a platform that can be used for good," the message began. "We have decided to speak up about the issue that has occurred. We believe that all students of color, athlete or not, should feel comfortable and safe while walking on campus and attending or playing in sporting events. With that being said, on behalf of the student-athletes and student-athletes of color here at Kansas State, here is what we need to ensure our safety on and off campus." - Manhattan Mercury

rSr/2022

OLB Jon Alexander, Charlotte
News Source: Manhattan Mercury
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06/24/20 - Ben DeLuca, rSr/2021, Charlotte + More +

The Charlotte 49ers, UNC Charlotte's Division I intercollegiate athletics program, unveiled a new brand identity in the first update to the Charlotte 49ers athletic mark since 2000. "The new identity captures the energy that will drive our programs to championship-level success," said 49ers Director of Athletics Mike Hill. "It's an exciting time for Charlotte athletics. We enjoyed our first football bowl game last season, set a record for home wins in men's basketball, won league titles in men's and women's track and field, advanced to the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament second round, and saw multiple teams continue their dramatic competitive ascent."

The centerpiece of the new look is a distinctive mark called the "All-In C." An evolution from the current Charlotte athletics logo, it places the classic 49ers' gold-mining pick inside a collegiate-inspired "C" with beveled corners, an aggressive stance and a 9-degree forward tilt that illustrates the brand's positive energy and forward momentum. "It looks incredible," said Head Football Coach Will Healy. "It will look great on the side of a helmet. It will look great in the middle of a basketball court and on jerseys. When you have a cool logo to go along with Nike on the other side, it's going to help us in recruiting. It's going to help our player experience here, where they feel really good about where they are playing." - Charlotte Observer

rSr/2021

SS Ben DeLuca, Charlotte
News Source: Charlotte Observer
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06/07/20 - Chris Reynolds, rSr/2023, Charlotte + More +

Chris Reynolds, the starting quarterback for the Charlotte 49ers, accounted for 3,355 passing and rushing yards and 28 touchdowns in 2019, but he hasn't forgotten what it was like to be un-recruited even after an ungodly high school career at Davie. He hasn't forgotten going to Charlotte practices as a walk-on, the No. 5 quarterback, and not getting a single rep. He hasn't forgotten the devastating ankle injury in 2018 that forced him to start from scratch and prove himself all over again. He hasn't forgotten how many transfers were brought in to replace him.

Now a junior, Reynolds is the unquestioned offensive catalyst of the 49ers, who are coming off their first winning season (7-6) and their first bowl experience. But when you're 5-foot-10 and you're playing the position Reynolds plays and playing against the caliber of athletes he's playing against, you never take a single step of the journey for granted. "The chip on the shoulder never leaves," Reynolds said. "The chip can't leave. There are times when I reflect on the athletic road I've traveled, the challenges I've faced, all the adversity that put me on the path that I'm on now. I have gone from walk-on to starter, and I'm very grateful to be in the position that I'm in today, but my mindset is that I still have to earn a job every single day. I still have to compete every day like it's my last day." - Charlotte Observer

rSr/2023

QB Chris Reynolds, Charlotte
News Source: Charlotte Observer
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05/07/20 - Alex Highsmith, rSr/2020, Charlotte + More +

You could hear it in Will Healy's voice. It was something the Charlotte 49ers head football coach couldn't hide and didn't want to hide. It's because when talking about Alex Highsmith, Healy just can't help but let it be known how proud he is of the newest Steelers linebacker. "I am ridiculously proud," said Healy. "He's a guy I have grown really close to over the last year. I was fortunate enough to inherit him and coach him. It couldn't happen to a better person. "The amazing part about Alex is not just the way he is on the field, but his leadership and how he handled his business and mentorship is so vital for our program well after he is there. He is a tremendous person. He has it figured out. He is very mature about how he handles himself. He is such a good teammate and person. His work ethic is second to none.

"To see him enjoy this type of success is really good for the guys who are in our program to see what a professional player looks like. It's really gratifying for me as a coach to see a guy who buys into it as much as he does, and I am so happy he was rewarded this way." Highsmith has come a long way since he first went to Charlotte, showing up as a walk-on and not even participating in freshman camp because he wasn't on the roster. To go from that to a third-round draft pick at a smaller school is a huge jump. "There is some God-given ability he has so the first thing for him was someone to give him a chance," said Healy. "He bought into the process of what it's going to take from where he was to where he has to go. He caught the hunger and fire of what it takes to be special and do it week in and week out. It's a process, but when you do things right like he does, and do it consistently, you are bound to have results. That, with the God-given ability, is why he turned out to be so special." - Charlotte Observer

rSr/2020

DE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte
News Source: Charlotte Observer
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04/25/20 - Alex Highsmith, rSr/2020, Charlotte + More +

With their third round pick the Steelers selected Alex Highsmith, an outside linebacker who is a pass rush specialist. Highsmith played at Charlotte where he had 15 sacks his senior season, finishing his career with a school-record 20 sacks. He also had 22 tackles for a loss in 2019. Highsmith was an Associated Press All-American, the first one from Charlotte. Highsmith said he spoke with Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert and Coach Mike Tomlin a few weeks ago and they expressed an interest in him and told him the role they would like him to play as a young player, which would be outside linebacker after playing defensive end at Charlotte the last two years.

"They talked to me about being a special teams guy this year and being the guy backing up (Bud) Dupree and T.J. (Watt)," said Highsmith. "I am just so excited to learn from those two guys, two of the best pass rushers in this league. I am ready to soak up everything like a sponge, learn so much and do everything I can to help the team get back to the Super Bowl. "I am ready for the challenge. I am excited for the transition. I am going to do whatever I can, be the hardest worker on the team. I can't wait to get to work." The Steelers scouted Highsmith in the fall and Colbert said the first time he saw him in person was at practice at the East-West Shrine Game where he stood out. - Charlotte Observer

rSr/2020

DE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte
News Source: Charlotte Observer
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04/18/20 - Alex Highsmith, rSr/2020, Charlotte + More +

Alex Highsmith's career at Charlotte started with him as a walk-on. He leaves the program as the all time leader in sacks. To be that good, you have to put in a lot of hard work and Highsmith's story is proof he put in that work. "In high school I played middle backer (linebacker) and I was like 6 foot 1 and 205 pounds so I was super skinny," said Highsmith. No big time college football program wants a middle linebacker at that size so if Highsmith was going to play division 1 football, he was going to have to sell himself. Even to the Charlotte 49ers who had only been playing football for a year.

Alex played high school ball at Ashley High School in Wilmington. A game against rival Hoggard High School in 2014 changed his life. "Their coach's name was Scott Braswell," said Highsmith. "His son Scotty Braswell Jr. was a GA (grad assistant) at Charlotte at the time. What I did was I asked coach Braswell 'is there any way you can pass my film on to your son and the Charlotte staff.' He did and they watched it and they liked me." And that opened the door for Alex to walk-on at Charlotte. Not to get a scholarship but just to walk-on. Alex earned that scholarship after his redshirt freshman season and the rest is history. By the end of his career, Highsmith had racked up 20 sacks which is a program record, he was first team All-Conference USA (2 straight seasons) and he was named a 3rd team All-American as a senior. - Charlotte Observer

rSr/2020

DE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte
News Source: Charlotte Observer
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03/27/20 - Tre Harbison III, rSr/2021, Charlotte + More +

Tre Harbison saw a chance to end his college football career close to home. So he grabbed it. When Harbison was a standout running back at Northern Illinois over the past three seasons, it wasn't easy for dad James and mom Kim to make the 12-hour drive from Shelby to DeKalb, Ill., to watch him play. They might have done it two or three times each season. But now that Tre is playing for the Charlotte 49ers, the Harbison family is less than an hour away. "Being close to my home and family is a top priority for me," Harbison said. "At my old school, that was really tough." Harbison has come full circle, and the final stop of his career features a significant challenge: he's being counted on to help replace Benny LeMay, second on the 49ers' career rushing list and an all-Conference USA selection last season.

"We know he's an extremely powerful runner, who's really versatile," 49ers coach Will Healy said before coronavirus concerns canceled Charlotte's spring practice. "He catches the ball well out of the backfield and gets downfield in a hurry. He's difficult to tackle." Harbison certainly has the credentials. Harbison had a brilliant high school career. Cleveland County's career rushing leader (5,770 yards) when he left Crest High, Harbison led the Chargers to two state championships, scoring seven touchdowns in the 2015 title game against Southern Durham. He was MVP of both championship games. - Charlotte Observer

rSr/2021