Ekwonu, Rutledge look to leave mark on Charlotte football

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

Charlotte running back Henry Rutledge, a Charlotte Charlotte Christian graduate, is also a capable kick returner who is looking to bolster the 49ers' special teams..

Charlotteans Ositadinma Ekwonu and Henry Rutledge want to leave their stamp on 49ers football.

They played high school ball down the street from one another – Rutledge at Charlotte Christian and Ekwonu at Providence Day. Ekwonu is a redshirt senior linebacker and Rutledge a senior running back and kick return specialist. 

Rutledge has been with the 49ers four years. Ekwonu went to Notre Dame out of high school, but it was important for him to get back to Charlotte.

“It’s really been a blessing to come back and be able to play in front of my family,” said Ekwonu, who graduated Notre Dame but has two years of eligibility left. “My grandma got to come to a game this past season. Before that she wasn’t able to come to Notre Dame games. So, just having the ability to have my family there to support me is such a huge blessing for me.”

Having crossed paths in high school, Rutledge takes pride in beating Providence Day all but one time he played them.

“We won all of them,” Rutledge said with a smirk. “Well, actually I technically lost one game against Providence Day in my senior year, but I got my revenge since we played them twice that year, once in the regular season and then in the playoffs.”

Said Ekwonu: “I did actually play against (Rutledge). And I did (have some hard hits) on him a few times. We always joke in the locker room about whose team was better, and it was obviously Christian. They beat us like every time.”

Ekwonu, whose older brother Ikem, is the Carolina Panthers’ starting left tackle, said there is a lot his brother has taught him.

“One of the biggest things he has taught me is that the hard work will transfer over,” Ekwonu said. “Also, putting in the time and energy is the most important thing. He is one of the hardest workers. So, just learning how he operates as a professional is something I use now at the college level and something I hope to use at the next level as well.”

Ekwonu and Rutledge feel they need to leave an impact that will last a long time. Coach Biff Poggi compared the program to real estate was when he got to Charlotte.

NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS

Ositadinma Ekwonu, a defensive end who played high school football at Providence Day, transferred to Charlotte from Notre Dame with two years of eligibility left.

“We’re in a great conference and there’s only 131 or 132 Division I programs in the country,” Poggi said. “So, we are living in a very good neighborhood with a lot of beautiful houses. This one, when I got here, wasn’t such a beautiful house, so we spent the first year learning on the job. This was more us tearing down the existing structure, spending some time planning on how we were going to build the foundation and then methodically building a structure that can withstand the winds and rains and all the things that come so your family can live in a safe place.”

Poggi said while he doesn’t know how many wins this team will accumulate over the course of the season, the proper foundation is being laid.

“I can tell you when I leave Charlotte, which I hope isn’t for many years… there will be a great foundation with a house that can withstand the elements. And, again, that takes time. I think the group we have in here now is the foundation. So, what will that look like as far as wins and losses; that is a lot less important to me than doing the work.”

Both Ekwonu and Rutledge are doing their part to build the foundation.

“I think (Poggi) is getting it right,” Rutledge said. “He always says in the meeting rooms that he chose each one of us. Last year he chose everyone too, but there were some cracks in the foundation. But we had a meeting the other day about the cornerstones of the foundation and what that needed to look like. So, I want to be remembered as a great player but more importantly a great teammate. It would be nice to be the best return guy, not just on the team but in the program’s history.

Said Ekwonu: “For us to be successful this season and start laying the foundation, it starts with chemistry. Just continuing to build those relationships and strengthen our team. Strengthen our offense, defense and special teams’ units. Ultimately, we are just coming together for a common goal to win games and be that solid foundation coach talked about.”

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