Charlotte’s 2027 recruiting class continues to take shape. The 49ers added two more commitments on Tuesday, landing Apex Friendship linebacker Tyler Goebbel and Woodward Academy (GA) quarterback Ryan Harrigan.
The pair gives Charlotte four commitments since hosting recruits during its first major official visit weekend of the summer. Athlete Nicholas Rankin and wide receiver London Munoz both announced their decisions on Sunday.
Coach Tim Albin and his staff now have the foundation of a class built around prospects from North Carolina and neighboring Georgia.
Football is a family affair for Goebbel
Tyler Goebbel’s father, Todd, has been on the NC State football staff since 2019 as a running backs coach and special teams coordinator. That doesn’t guarantee success, but recruits who grow up around the college game often bring a solid understanding of preparation, film study and the demands of the game.
Tyler Goebbel (6-1, 225) has proven measurables and production as well. He already has college size for a linebacker. As a junior at Apex Friendship, he recorded 74 tackles, 17 tackles-for-loss, 5.5 sacks and an interception across seven games.
He has totaled 150 tackles over the past two seasons, demonstrating a consistent ability to find the football. He twice has earned all-conference honors. Apex Friendship finished 9-2 in 2025, falling to Rolesville in its first playoff contest.
Goebbel does hold an offer from NC State, in addition to offers from Old Dominion, Central Michigan, Campbell, Gardner-Webb and Richmond, per his social media.
Harrigan picks 49ers from crowded offer sheet
The 6-3, 190-pound signal caller has seen his recruiting stock rise with a strong spring on top of a solid 2025 season. He threw for 2,074 yards and 28 TDs over 13 games for Woodward Academy last fall, earning second-team all-region. He also had three rushing TDs.
One of his practice videos from early May reached 60K views.
“Best quarterback I’ve seen on my spring tour is Ryan Harrigan,” Najeh Wilkins, who covers Georgia Tech for Sports Illustrated, wrote in early May. “Has great zip on the ball and is extremely accurate. He can get the ball wherever he wants. The 6-3 QB has all the tools and should be recruited more than he is. Watch out for Harrigan in the fall.”
Harrigan has added several offers since that post and now boasts more than 20, including teams that play in Charlotte’s conference like Memphis, North Texas and Rice.
Charlotte was the first of three planned visits for Harrigan, who also had Liberty and Rice on his list for the next two weekends.
What does it mean?
Charlotte coach Tim Albin has said in past interviews he wants to build the 49ers with players “within a tank of gas” of campus.
The early 2027 commitments certainly fit that mold. The 49ers have now landed four prospects since the opening weekend of official visits, including two from North Carolina and two from Georgia.
The group gives Albin’s staff an early foundation at quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker and athlete while reinforcing Charlotte’s emphasis on recruiting regional talent.
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