Charlotte 49ers football sign 27 players for 2026 class

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

The Charlotte 49ers opened the early signing period with 27 commitments in the 2026 class, including four players from the Charlotte region.

The Charlotte 49ers’ football first batch of 2026 signees leans toward a regional approach.

Of 27 players signed, more than half are from the Carolinas and Georgia, including four from the Charlotte area: defensive back Josh Hines from Myers Park, receiver Donte Nicholson (West Charlotte), defensive lineman D’Nas White (Catawba) and linebacker Gray Patterson (Fort Mill). In addition to the local signees, the 49ers added athlete Kaden Catoe from Greensboro Grimsley. 

Charlotte, which went 1-11 in 2025, added eight players from Georgia, the largest contingent from any state, followed by North Carolina with four.

“The goal for this class was to go out and fill some needs, and that's what we did,” 49ers coach Tim Albin said in a statement. “This is a great group of young men who will help us lay the foundation of what we are building here at Charlotte. We were very intentional in the areas we targeted with this class. We have four players from the Greater Charlotte area, four from the state of North Carolina, and a total of 15 from within a tank of gas. This class is ready to come to campus and get to work, evidenced by 24 total players enrolling early in January.”

The 49ers went for defenders with 16 signees, including eight defensive backs – matching the combined total of linemen and linebackers (four each). Six of Charlotte’s nine offensive players are linemen, while the 49ers signed a pair of receivers and a quarterback, Jaylen White of Clearwater (Fla.) High. Two athletes were signed. 

A third of the signees are transfers and will enroll in January, joining 15 high school commits who are graduating early.

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