Charlotte football has assembled a defensive back room running deep with talent and players, including Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watchlist member Dontae Balfour.
“You think of some of the key pieces right now Donny Balfour, Elijah Culp, [Al-Ma’hi] Ali, CJ Burton, JQ [Conley], then even behind them D[errick] Edwards, [Trevon] Booker, CJ Clinkscales, Mordecai [McDaniel], [Treyveon] McGee, Maguire Neal,” said Defensive Coordinator Ryan Osborn. “A lot of guys that can play for us which is great; the depth is something that we really tried to focus on in the offseason, especially at those five positions saying we’re playing nickel more times than not. I think that’s going to be important for us down the stretch, especially as we get into October and November.”
The depth and talent have not gone unnoticed by their teammates, as offensive and defensive players have named multiple defensive backs as preseason standouts.
Returning standouts
The talented room is headlined by Preseason All-AAC First-Team members Balfour and Al-Ma’hi Ali, while C.J. Burton has been making strides as a leader on the defense.
“CJ Burton is really stepping up as a leader, of course, Balfour; I think those guys are solidifying themselves as one of the leaders on the defense,” said Ali.
Balfour is set for another big season after tying the program record for pass breakups in a single season with 11, which puts him six shy of Ben DeLuca’s program career record of 17.
Ali is also expected to have a large role this season after being ineligible for half of last season. In six games, he still made 22 tackles, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Familiar duo reforming
Ja’Quarious Conley joins the 49ers, pairing up with his former teammate Balfour from their time with UNC-Chapel Hill. They spent two seasons together in 2021 and 2022, getting to work together and developing a strong relationship on the field.
Conley has impressed some of his other teammates by being a vocal leader who wants to push everyone on the field to be better.
“I’d say the main guy that I respect is number six, JQ Conley,” said linebacker Reid Williford. “Older guy, a transfer, and he just wants it, and he just wants the best out of everyone and out of himself. I love the fact that he continues to come out here and push everyone as well as himself, and I respect him very much for that!”
Depth opening the door for success
Charlotte’s depth in the defensive back room is bringing a range of talents to Osborn’s schemes while also ensuring that everyone can stay rested and fresh while maintaining the standard of play on the field.
“We don’t need a specific person out there every time,” said Ali. “We can take them off the field and bring in somebody who will do the job just the same. I can stay fresh, or whoever can stay fresh, so by the time they get back on the field, they are a hundred percent.”
Osborn preaches communication in coverage, and it will be crucial for the Niners' defense to take another step forward in 2024.
“They’re all doing a really good job, and communication breeds understanding from a coverage standpoint,” said Osborn. “So our guys got to do a really good job of pre and post-snap communication, all being on the same page of what we wanna play and how we wanna play it. When the ball is napped, and we do that, and we are all on the same page, there’s a good chance the result will be what we want.”
That communication is vital, and Osborn has the team buying into that, with Balfour believing it to be the key to the defensive backs being the anchors of a solid defense.
“I would say dominance when we are on the same page and the ball rolling, we can be really good,” said Balfour. “We have a lot of athletes; we are fast, can jump, and are strong. I feel like everybody has their little special thing that they bring to the table. So I feel like that will make us a great defense.”
Taking the field
Charlotte 49ers football defensive backs will look to prove themselves as the season begins on Saturday August 31 against JMU.
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