Charlotte’s June recruiting hot streak continued on Tuesday as Kaiden Bower, a standout defensive end from Carmel High School in Indiana, announced his commitment to the 49ers’ 2026 class.
Bower, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound edge rusher, becomes the third pledge in as many days for head coach Tim Albin. He committed on the heels of what he called an “amazing” official visit to Charlotte, which first offered in April.
One of the top rising senior defenders in Indiana, Bower was named to the 6A Junior All-State Team in 2024 and was selected to Indiana Preps’ Top 22 Underclassmen statewide list. He posted 55 tackles, 4.5 sacks and seven QB hurries as a junior. It is likely Bower was on Albin’s recruiting radar when Albin was head coach at Ohio (2024 MAC champions).
Known for his power and burst off the edge, Bower was praised by Prep RedZone Indiana as a “high-upside” prospect with the tools to make a major leap in 2025.
Charlotte won out over offers from Air Force, Toledo, Troy, Miami (OH), Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan, continuing its push to stockpile defensive talent in Albin’s first full recruiting cycle.
📊 Kaiden Bower | Charlotte Commit
🧩 Position: Defensive End
📍 Hometown: Carmel, IN
🎓 High School: Carmel Greyhounds
🧢 Coach: Kevin Wright
📏 Size: 6-3, 250
📚 GPA: 3.6
🎯 Offers/Interest: Charlotte over Air Force, Toledo, Troy, Miami (OH), BGSU, EMU
🎥 Hudl Highlights: Kaiden Bower
💪 Career Rewind: 6A Junior All-State selection. 55 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 7 QB hurries in 2024. Called “high upside” by Prep RedZone.
Charlotte 49ers Football | 2026 Commit List
| NAME | POS | HOMETOWN | SCHOOL | COMMITTED | DATE | STORY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donte Nicholson | WR/ATH | Charlotte, NC | West Charlotte HS | Charlotte | 6/27/2025 | READ |
| Mason McGill | OL/DE | Gainesville, GA | North Hall HS | Charlotte | 6/23/2025 | READ |
| Brody Dawyot | QB/ATH | Salem, VA | Glenvar HS | Charlotte | 6/22/2025 | READ |
| Gray Patterson | LB | Fort Mill, SC | Fort Mill HS | Charlotte | 6/22/2025 | READ |
| Caleb Tucker | WR | Bryant, AR | Bryant HS | Charlotte | 6/22/2025 | READ |
| Cody Taylor | OL | Greenwood, AR | Greenwood HS | Charlotte | 6/7/2025 | READ |
| Jaylen White | QB | Clearwater, FL | Clearwater HS | Charlotte | 6/6/2025 | READ |
| Kaiden Bower | DE | Carmel, IN | Carmel HS | Charlotte | 6/3/2025 | READ |
| Mikey Domanik | LB | Marietta, GA | Kell HS | Charlotte | 6/2/2025 | READ |
| Chase Usher | CB | Tyrone, GA | Sandy Creek HS | Charlotte | 6/1/2025 | READ |
| Kaden Catoe | WR | Greensboro, NC | Grimsley HS | Charlotte | 5/27/2025 | READ |
| Maddox West | DB | Smyrna, GA | Campbell HS | Charlotte | 4/24/2025 | — |
| Josh Hines | DB | Charlotte, NC | Myers Park HS | Charlotte | 4/23/2025 | READ |
| Kadarus Hainsworth | WR | Spartanburg, SC | Mountain View Prep | Charlotte | 4/20/2025 | READ |
| Jarell Turner | DB | Columbia, SC | Richland Northeast HS | Charlotte | 4/12/2025 | — |
| Alchino Blakely | DB | Snellville, GA | South Gwinnett HS | Charlotte | 4/8/2025 | — |
| Jacob Allen | OL | Jackson, OH | Jackson HS | Charlotte | 4/2/2025 | READ |
| Maximus Jansenvanvuren | EDGE | Waterford, MI | Waterford Mott HS | Charlotte | 3/31/2025 | READ |
🏈 See who else is headed to play college football for North Carolina schools in 2026 — View our full NC College Football Commit Tracker
