Defensive Backs Part 2, Spring Practice Notes, and My Conversation with Andrew Adair
Finishing the roster and notes from Charlotte's first Saturday of spring practice.
Charlotte just wrapped up its first week of spring practices. They practice from 8-10:30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Media has availability for the first few periods and then after practice ends for coach and player availability. Fortunately, I get to see individual unit drills. I had the pleasure of watching the offensive line work callouts and hand placement, the wide receivers work on running routes, and some field goal attempts. As far as offensive line goes, I think Samples/Bowers/Gibson has the potential to be a winning combo on the interior of the offense. With the limited media availability, what I can offer may be small, but I will certainly do my best. Coach Albin did not speak this past Saturday, but I was able to speak with a player after practice. I had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Adair, a redshirt senior and offensive lineman. We were able to chop it up about how he feels about the team this season and getting to play the sport he loves with his brother. Here’s that!
“Week one under the new coach, coach Albin, first week of spring practice, how do you think it went?”
Honestly, I love the energy. I think being here with all these guys, we’re all on the same page. We’re all encouraging each other. We’ve got a great locker room. That was one of the best first weeks I’ve been a part of in my five years.
“How do you think this group of offensive linemen looks?”
I think we’re a really tight-knit group. We’ve got some athletes in there. There’s no division, we’re all working together as a unit. I really love our group. I think we’re gonna be special this year.
“Preseason, coach Albin talked about how he didn’t want Charlotte to beat Charlotte. He wanted to get rid of mistakes. I think offensive linemen, particularly, are a group unfortunately highlighted by mistakes, between holding calls and false starts. What are you guys doing to eliminate that and keep yourself from beating yourself?”
We’re trying to be on the same page, you know? I think offensive line that’s the hardest position because if you have one guy that messes up you all mess up. So, I think the biggest part for us not beating ourselves is just all being together as one, all being on the same page, getting our calls, getting our checks down, all making sure we’ve got the right point, we’re going out to the same point, to check that we’re pushing out, we’re on the same page. Being on the same page is the biggest point for us.
“Last question, something pretty easy, what’s it like getting to play with your brother Connor?”
It’s honestly a dream come true. He’s my roommate, that’s my best friend. We played baseball growing up, and I never really got a chance to play football with him, and having him come here, it’s very special, getting to share the field with your brother. I don’t know if you saw, but he made a nice catch and I ran all the way down to give him a high five. As a big brother, it warms my heart. It’s a great feeling.
Last but not least, we’re almost through with my look at Charlotte’s roster. This is part two of Charlotte’s defensive backs, and I will soon have Charlotte’s specialists as well.
Here are the remaining players currently listed as defensive backs.
Thai Baldwin
RS Senior
New Transfer from Ball State. Thai Baldwin committed to Charlotte on January 13th, 2025
Thai Baldwin comes to the program ahead of spring practices. Before Charlotte, Thai played for four seasons at Ball State. There, he was a solid contributor, appearing in twenty-seven games over four seasons, including nine starts overall. His freshman season his first career action was late in the season against Buffalo, and he drew a redshirt. He played in five games as a redshirt freshman, including four straight appearances versus Central Michigan, UConn, Eastern Michigan, and Kent State. Unfortunately sidelined by injuries in 2022, he started four times in 2023 and five times in 2024, appearing in nine games total at the corner position. Over his career, he totaled 43 solo tackles, 10 assists, 2.5 TFLs, 1 INT, 9 more passes deflected, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. Not only is he one of the older members of the team here at Charlotte, but he’s probably the most experienced, having earned four letters at Life Christian Academy out of Colonial Heights, VA. A former 3* CB prospect by the 247Sports Composite, he was the 184th-best cornerback recruit out of the class of 2021 and the 60th-best player out of the state of Virginia. Thai is not only an uber-experienced football player, he’s a former track star. He’s won a state championship as a member of a 4x200 relay team.
Breon Noel
RS Senior
2023 Transfer from Saint Francis University. Breon Noel committed to Charlotte on December 8th, 2022.
Breon Noel enters his third year with the program. Breon has been a solid contributor since he arrived, playing in 10 games in 2023 and 11 in 2024. In his first season he made 2 solo tackles and 3 assists, and in his second year, he increased his numbers to 5 solo tackles and 4 assists. Not only has Noel seen action as a defensive back, but he’s also made appearances on special teams. Before Charlotte, Breon Noel spent three seasons at Saint Francis University, being there from 2020 to 2022. He didn’t see any action in 2020 due to… a worldwide pandemic. In 2021, he appeared in 10 games, making his debut against Eastern Michigan, accumulating 17 tackles including 10 solo, 2 TFLs, 4 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble on the season. In 2022, he didn’t play in any games and activated his redshirt. Before St Francis University, Breon played for St. Frances Academy. (the similarity is INFURIATING)
Randy Franklin
RS Senior
2023 Transfer from Navy. I can’t find a specific date for when Randy transferred in.
Randy finds himself in his third year with the Charlotte 49ers. He played in twelve games in both ‘23 and ‘24. In 2023, he made 4 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle, and in 2024 he upped that to 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, and a TFL. He also saw action on special teams. Before Charlotte, Randy spent two seasons at Navy, 2021 and 2022. After not seeing action on the field in his first year, he played in six games for the Midshipmen in 2022. Before attending the United States Naval Academy, Randy attended the Naval Academy Prep School and played two sports, football as well as track and field. Before NAP, he attended E. E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, NC, where he accumulated 36 tackles, blocking three field goals, and forcing one fumble. He also contributed 450 yards combined on offense and special teams. His younger brother, Seth, is also with the team.
Check out Randy’s Hudl profile here: https://www.hudl.com/profile/8403032/Randy-Franklin
CJ Clinkscales
RS Junior
2024 Transfer from Boston College. Clinkscales committed to Charlotte on December 27th, 2023.
CJ Clinkscales enters his second year with the Charlotte 49ers. Last season, he appeared in eight games, making 7 solo tackles with 9 assists. Before Charlotte, CJ was recruited by and committed to Boston College, where he played in two games his freshman season, not recording any stats and redshirting, then played in eight games the following year in 2023, recording 10 solo tackles, 4 assists, 1 INT, and 1 more pass deflected. Clinkscales played high school football at Buford High School out of Buford, GA as a member of the class of 2022. At Buford, he played both offense and defense, and according to his MaxPreps page, he accumulated 312 yards on 50 carries and scored 6 TDs as a running back, and accounted for 3 tackles and 1 sack as a defensive back. As a recruit, Clinkscales is listed as an athlete, not declaring a position, and was rated a 3* prospect by the 247Sports Composite. He was the 92nd-best athlete recruit available and the 126th-best player out of the State of Georgia in the class of 2022. He was recruited by Boston College, Colorado, and West Virginia out of the P4. Clinkscales was also a track and field athlete, competing in sprinting and long jump events. Another interesting note, he’s a relative of NBA players Larry Nance and Larry Nance Jr., former NC State and NFL player Rick Bell, former Clemson player (may he rest in peace) CJ Fuller, and former minor league baseball players Lester and Sherard Clinkscales.
Seth Franklin
RS Sophomore
Charlotte Recruiting Class of 2023
Seth Franklin enters his third season with the Charlotte 49ers. He activated his redshirt in 2023, providing depth for the 49ers since then. Seth played football at E. E. Smith High School out of Fayetteville, NC. He was on varsity for three years, playing offense, defense, and special teams. On offense, Seth rushed for 785 yards, caught 33 receptions for 331 yards receiving, and accounted for 9 TDs. On defense, his senior year, he had 4 solo tackles, 1 sack, and 1 INT for 40 yards returned. On special teams, he returned 22 kickoffs for 590 yards and 5 punt returns for 82 yards. Seth’s a former 1st-team All-County and All-Conference selection and was named team MVP as a junior. His older brother, Randy, is also with the team.
Check out Seth’s Hudl profile here: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15045127/Seth-Franklin
DeQuinder Williams II
RS Freshman
Charlotte Recruiting Class of 2024
DeQuinder Williams II is in his second season with the program, activating his redshirt last season. DeQuinder is a local kid, playing high school football at West Charlotte High School. During his freshman season, 2020, the COVID year, he only played in 3 games, making 13 solo tackles and 1 pass deflected. In his senior season, he played in 12 games, making 17 solo tackles, 18 assists, 2 TFLs, 1 INT, and 8 more passes deflected. In his junior season, he made a move over to West Mecklenburg, playing in 11 games, racking up 198 yards as a receiver with 2 TDs, while on defense he made 43 solo tackles, 19 assisted, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 6 passes deflected, and 1 pass deflected. Coming out of high school, DeQuinder Williams had a P4 offer from Boston College, with offers from App State, Army, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Michigan, James Madison, Liberty, Miami, (OH) Marshall, NC Central, Ohio, Old Dominion, and Temple. and
Check out DeQuinder’s Hudl profile here: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15699937/DeQuinder-Lee-Williams-II
Cornell Allen
RS Freshman
Charlotte Recruiting Class of 2024
Cornell Allen enters his second year with the program. After not seeing any action last year, he activated his redshirt. In November of last season, Cornell entered the transfer portal, but this past February, Cornell decided against it. He’s back, practicing with the team. Adams is a former 3* safety prospect according to the 247Sports Composite, the 187th-best safety recruit in the class of 2024, and the 45th-best recruit out of the state of Virginia. He’s a former Under Armour All-American Camp MVP. A former track star, he set the school record in the 200m for the track and field state championships in Virginia.
Check out Cornell’s Hudl profile here: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15438833/Cornell-Allen
Kameron Manley
RS Freshman
Charlotte Recruiting Class of 2024
Kameron Manley enters his second year in the program. He activated his redshirt last year after not seeing any game action. Before Charlotte, Kameron played football at Rolesville High School. There, over his three years on varsity, he made 82 solo tackles, 44 assists, a TFL, 2 INTs for 66 yards returned, 16 passes deflected, and 2 fumble recoveries. Not only did Kameron play football, but he also ran track.
Check out Kameron’s Hudl profile here: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15588177/Kameron-Manley
Aydan Cannon
Freshman
Charlotte Recruiting Class of 2025
Another freshman, Aydan Cannon begins his collegiate career with the Charlotte 49ers. Aydan comes to the program from Hickory Grove High School, playing both wide receiver and defensive back. At wide receiver, Aydan caught 46 passes over two seasons, recording 943 yards, and scoring 9 TDs. Tack on 306 yards as a kick returner, and he accounted for over 1,300 yards. In addition to playing football, Aydan Cannon also ran track for Hickory Grove.
Check out Aydan’s Hudl profile here: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15372348/Aydan-Cannon
Dy’Lon Womack
Freshman
Charlotte Recruiting Class of 2025
Dy’Lon Womack joins the Charlotte 49ers ahead of spring practice. Dy’Lon played football at North Cobb Christian School, a preparatory Christian school out of Kennesaw, GA. There, Womack appeared on defense and special teams. While on special teams in his final season, he accumulated 94 yards on kick returns and 30 yards on punt returns. While on defense, he played in 22 games over three seasons, he appeared in 22 games, making 78 tackles, 36 assists, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 QB hurries, 10 INTs for 98 yards returned, 11 passes deflected, and 2 fumble recoveries. Before North Cobb, Dy’Lon played football for McEachern High School out of Powder Springs, GA. Womack had numerous offers out of high school, including Ball State, Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Temple, Troy, UConn, UMass, multiple Ivy League schools, and Army.
Check out Dy’Lon’s Hudl profile here: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16673443/Dylon-Womack