Charlotte Athletics has produced several successful players who have gone pro. Whether it is from football to soccer, these athletes have continued to make a name for themselves and represented the 49ers along the way. Here is a breakdown of some current professional 49ers and how they are doing.

Football

Alex Highsmith

A standout edge rusher during his time at Charlotte, Alex Highsmith has become one of the NFL’s most reliable defenders. Highsmith played with the 49ers from 2016 to 2019, then was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He quickly earned a starting position and has since developed into a key piece of the Steelers’ defense. In 2024, Highsmith recorded 28 solo tackles, six sacks and one forced fumble. The Steelers made it into the AFC Wild Card Playoffs, but fell to their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, 28-14. Against Baltimore, Highsmith recorded only two tackles and a sack.

Highsmith will be entering his sixth season in the NFL in 2025 and has earned league-wide recognition as one of the top pass rushers in the AFC.

Larry Ogunjobi

Selected in the third round by the Cleveland Browns in the 2017 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi made his mark by becoming the first Charlotte 49er to be drafted. He has played across three AFC North teams, including the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. Ogunjobi lined up next to fellow 49er Highsmith for two seasons in 2022 and 2023, but signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills on March 14, 2025.

Last season, Ogunjobi recorded 16 solo tackles with 1.5 sacks. Due to suspension, he will miss the first six regular-season games of the 2025 season. Ogunjobi is expected to make his return in Week 8 back in the Queen City against the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 26. 

Demetrius Knight Jr.

Although he was only with Charlotte for one season, linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. still shines with 49er pride in the NFL. Knight was at Charlotte in 2023 after transferring from Georgia Institute of Technology and made a name for himself. He was named 2023 First Team All-American Athletic Conference as the team’s leading tackler with 96 tackles and led No. 2 in the conference. Knight had three tackles for loss and scored a touchdown before entering the NCAA transfer portal once more.

After playing for the University of South Carolina in 2024, Knight was selected with the No. 49 pick overall of the 2025 Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. As a rookie, he will probably play a bigger role in depth for the position while he continues to develop.

Soccer

Macey Bader

Forward Macey Bader concluded four seasons at Charlotte after the 2024 season, ending her collegiate career No. 7 in program history with 181 shots taken. She has always been known for her reliability and relentless energy, as she started and played in all 19 matches last year. 

Across her collegiate career, she appeared in 70 matches, recorded 17 goals and 13 assists and finished No. 7 all-time in program history with 181 shots.

The past four seasons, Bader has played with the North Carolina Courage in the UWSL. To continue her soccer journey, Bader signed with Carolina Ascent FC on July 14. Carolina Ascent is a new professional women’s soccer team, part of the Gainbridge Super League that launched its inaugural season in 2024.

Brandt Bronico 

Midfielder Brandt Bronico,  a graduate of the 2016 men’s soccer team, was drafted in 2017 with the No. 47 overall pick by the Chicago Fire in the MLS SuperDraft. The former Conference-USA Offensive MVP made his professional debut on March 11, 2017, and signed with Charlotte FC in 2020 and has remained with the club ever since.

In 2025, Bronico has played in 23 matches so far, with one goal and three assists. Charlotte FC currently sits at 12-2-11 and are ranked No. 7 in the Eastern Conference.

Ian Pilcher

A standout on the men’s soccer team in 2024, defender Ian Pilcher turned pro following graduation and is currently playing in the MLS for San Diego FC. 

Over four seasons with Charlotte, Pilcher made 66 appearances, scored five goals and tallied one assist. He earned recognition as the American Athletic Conference’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and earned first-team honors.

On Dec. 20, 2024, Pilcher was selected in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft by San Diego FC with the No. 24 overall pick. His debut was made on Feb. 23, 2025, against LA Galaxy, where he appeared as an 88th-minute substitute in the 2-0 victory for San Diego.

As of July 31, Pilcher has played in 12 matches—starting in seven and subbing in five—with one goal and one assist.

Baseball

Ryan Degges

Right-handed pitcher Ryan Degges was drafted in the 17th round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2024, Degges finished third on the team with 24 appearances on the mound and was just one of four pitchers with 50+ strikeouts, with 51 in 42.2 innings for Charlotte.

Through the farm system, Degges is currently active with the Single-A affiliate of the Phillies—the Clearwater Threshers. In 2025 thus far, he has played 17 games, throwing 63 innings for 54 strikeouts. Degges holds an ERA of 3.57 and a record of 3-2.

Tony Rossi

Right-handed pitcher Tony Rossi signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees in 2024 after leading Charlotte’s bullpen with six saves in 2024. Rossi received the Hugh McEniry Award, which is given to the top male student-athlete at Charlotte and was second for the 49ers to have 25 appearances and four wins. 

Same as Degges, Rossi is a part of the Yankees’ farm system, which has placed him with the High-A affiliate, the Hudson Valley Renegades. In the MiLB, he has a 0-1 record over 29 games and across 32.1 innings. Rossi has 42 strikeouts and will continue to try to work his way up through the system.

Blake Gillespie

The most recent star of Charlotte baseball, right-handed pitcher Blake Gillespie, was selected by the New York Yankees in the ninth round of the 2025 MLB Draft on July 14, joining Rossi.

Gillespie is known for pitching the second no-hitter in program history, but was also named both Pitcher of the Year and Newcomer Pitcher of the Year in the AAC. Across all games in 2025, Gillespie finished with a 2.42 ERA and tallied 131 strikeouts in just over 100 innings.

As he begins his professional journey, Gillespie will likely start in the Yankees’ minor league system. New York’s farm system includes six affiliated teams across the United States and the Dominican Republic.

Looking ahead

Whether they are making tackles, scoring goals or striking out hitters, these former 49ers are proving that Charlotte is a pipeline for professional talent. Their success is a testament to the University’s growing reputation—and an inspiration to the next generation of 49er athletes.