83 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #83 Austin Cunningham

                                                                                                         

It's now 83 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today we highlight the Catamount player currently assigned to #83 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#83 Austin Cunningham

Position Wide Receiver
Height 6-0
Weight 185
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown West Columbia, S.C.
High School White Knoll HS

2025 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 12 games as an offensive reserve and on special teams … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Gardner-Webb (Aug. 30) … Did not record any official statistics.

2024 (Freshman): Did not see game action, remaining eligible for a redshirt ... Caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from freshman QB Jordan Martin-Durham in the fourth quarter of WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on ... Four-year varsity letter winner … Named All-Region and All-State as a senior … Selected to the North-South All-Star game … Caught 89 passes for 1,104 receiving yards over his final two varsity seasons with 17 touchdown catches … Amassed 1,495 all-purpose yards for head coach Nick Pelham … Played baseball and ran track as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Crystal and DJ Cunningham … Has an older sister, Trista.

84 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #84 Jemarious Reaves

                                                                                                         

It's now 84 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today we highlight the Catamount player currently assigned to #84 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#84 Jemarious Reaves

Position  Wide Receiver

Height 6-1
Weight 185
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Hopkins, S.C.
High School Richland Northeast HS

2025 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in one game, seeing action in the home win over Furman (Oct. 11) … Did not record any official statistics.

2024 (Freshman): Saw action in one game, making his collegiate debut against VMI (Nov. 16) … Did not record any official statistics … Caught a unit-high tying four passes in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a preferred walk on … Started his prep career at Lower Richland High before finishing at Richland Northeast High … Was a two-way player at wide receiver and defensive back … Invited to the Blue-Grey Bowl Game … Over 20 games his final two seasons, caught 25 passes for 491 yards and four touchdowns, according to MaxPreps ... Selected as the most valuable athlete as a junior ... High school head coach was Marlin Taylor ... Also ran track where he was a hurdler and was a two-time state champion.

Personal: Full name is Jemarious Ryell Reaves ... Is the son of La'Tasha and Jemar Reaves ... Has five siblings - Saylanna, Triniti, Malcom, Justin, and Omar ... Both parents are in the United States military.

85 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #85 Paul Hartman

                                                                                                         

It's now 85 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today we highlight the Catamount player currently assigned to #85 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#85 Paul Hartman

Position:  Tight End

Height 6-5
Weight 230
Class Sophomore
Hometown Springfield, Ill.
High School Springfield HS
College  Coastal Carolina

Prior to Western Carolina: Mid-year transfer from Coastal Carolina … 

At Coastal Carolina:  Spent two seasons at Coastal Carolina … Did not see game action as a freshman in 2024 … Played in just one game in 2025 against Old Dominion, rushing one time; 

At Springfield HS: Tabbed as the #60-ranked athlete in the state of Illinois in the class of 2024 … Played quarterback and wide receiver during his prep career … Threw for 457 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior … Was listed as a 3-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a 2-star athlete by Rivals.

86 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #86 Davis Waddell

                                                                                                         

It's now 86 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today we highlight the Catamount player currently assigned to #86 on the WCU Spring Roster:

#86  Davis Waddell

 

Position  Tight End

Height 6-5
Weight 220
Class Freshman
Hometown Cartersville, Ga.
High School Cartersville HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Signed during the early period in December and enrolled at WCU mid-year

87 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #87 Jake Young

                                                                                                         

It's now 87 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today we highlight the Catamount player currently assigned to #87 on the WCU Spring Roster:

#87 Jake Young

Position Tight End
Height 6-3
Weight 240
Class Redshirt Senior
Hometown Waxhaw, N.C.
High School Marvin Ridge HS

2025 (Redshirt Junior): Played in 12 games at Charlotte, making his debut against App State (Aug. 29) ... Caught four passes for 30 total yards, posting two catches twice with a pair of receptions for 12 yards against Army West Point (Oct. 11) and two at directional rival East Carolina (Nov. 8) for 18 yards ... Credited with a tackle against Army; Returned to Western Carolina through the transfer portal during the spring semester.

2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Started all 12 games at tight end … Caught 28 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns, recording receptions in all 12 games with multiple catches seven times … Posted three catches in three-consecutive games to open the season at NC State (Aug. 29), vs. Campbell (Sept. 7), and at Elon (Sept. 14) … Scored in the season-opener against the Wolfpack on an eight-yard reception, WCU’s first TD of the 2024 season … Had four receptions for 38 yards in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) … Tallied his second receiving touchdown as part of two catches at ETSU (Nov. 9) … Caught a career-high six passes for a career-best 74 receiving yards against VMI (Nov. 16) … Credited with one solo tackle … Named first-team All-Southern Conference at tight end by the league’s head coaches … Named to the Fall 2024 Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Selected to the 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team ... Entered the transfer portal following the season; transferred to Charlotte.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in four games as an offensive reserve and on special teams … Caught a pair of passes for four total yards … Made his WCU debut in the road win at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16) … Caught his first pass as a Catamount at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Added a reception in the home win over ETSU (Nov. 11) … Recorded five receptions and a touchdown in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: A three-year player at Marvin Ridge HS for coach Aubrey Carter ... Caught 40 passes for 419 yards and two TDs over his final two seasons ... Also had a passing and rushing touchdown ... Added 49 tackles and three sacks on defense ... Named a team captain ... Selected to the Shrine Bowl, the Blue-Grey All-American Game, and the Queen City Senior Bowl ... Tabbed all-conference as a both a junior and senior ... Earned all-county honors as a senior ... Also played baseball and basketball.

Personal: Is the son of Shannon and Jason Young ... His father, Jason, played football at Western Carolina as an offensive guard from 1990-94 ... His sister, Maggie, played collegiate volleyball where she was a three-time all-conference middle blocker and 2023 SAC Player of the Year at Wingate, now coaching at Tulsa ... Grandfather, John, was a pitcher at North Carolina baseball and uncle, John, played basketball at Sewanee ... A member of the Student Superintendent Council

88 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #88 Cole Craddock

                                                                                                         

It's now 88 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today we highlight the Catamount player currently assigned to #88 on the WCU Spring Roster:

#88 Cole Craddock

Position  Tight End

Height 6-0
Weight 180
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Hickory, N.C.
High School Hickory HS

2025 (Freshman): Played in three games, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the road win at The Citadel (Oct. 18) … Did not record any official statistics.

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year two-way starter (LB and TE) and a three-time All-Four Rivers Conference selection ... Named the Four Rivers Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior … Selected to the second-team Small Town All-American team by Max Preps and Tarboro High's Male Athlete of the Year … Credited with 153 tackles, including 11 for loss, with four fumble recoveries and two interceptions as a linebacker and defensive end … Caught eight passes for 180 yards and three touchdown receptions on offense at tight end, helping lead Tarboro to a North Carolina state 1-A title and a 14-1 record in his final season as a prep ... Was part of three state championship games, winning the title as a senior ... Also played basketball, baseball, and golf as a prep, earning conference player of the year accolades on the diamond and was a three-time state qualifier in golf.

Personal: Is the son of Jennifer and Jeff Craddock ... Has a brother, Clay, and two sisters, Kayla and Kara.

Tracking the Cats - WCU Catamount Sports Year in Review

 

89 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #89 Ellis Chappell

                                                                                                         

It's now 89 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today we highlight the Catamount player currently assigned to #89 on the WCU Spring Roster:

#89 Ellis Chappell

Position Wide Receiver

Height 6-0
Weight 180
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Hickory, N.C.
High School Hickory HS

Prior to Western Carolina: 2025 (Freshman): Did not see any game action, remaining eligible for a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a walk-on … Two-time all-conference selection … As a senior, caught 60 passes for 1,238 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding 110 rushing yards and two scores on the ground … Ranked 10th in the state in receiving yards … Helped his team to a 14-1 record as a senior … Named team offensive MVP … Also played baseball as a prep.

90 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #90 Da'Shawn Davis

                                                                                                         

It's now 90 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today we highlight the Catamount player currently assigned to #90 on the WCU Spring Roster:

Da'Shawn Davis

Position Defensive Line 

Height 6-2 

Weight 225 

Class Graduate Student 

Hometown Charlotte, N.C. 

High School Hough HS

College:  Georgia Southern

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Georgia Southern during the spring semester as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining ... 

At Georgia Southern: Played in 37 games over four seasons, credited with 57 total tackles, including 25 solo stops and 13.5 for loss, including six sacks ... Credited with three pass breakups and two fumbles forced ... Played in four bowl games at GSU - Birmingham Bowl (2025), New Orleans Bowl (2024), Myrtle Beach Bowl (2023), and Camellia Bowl (2022) ... Suffered an ankle injury and missed several weeks before returning in 2025 … Played in 13 games in 2024 with 25 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and a sack, and a pass breakup on the season … Saw action in 12 games in 2023 with 25 tackles, including 7.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks, with two hurries ... In 2022, played in seven games with 80 snaps, posting six tackles, including 2.5 sacks … Made his collegiate debut in the win over No. 25 James Madison, playing eight snaps on defense; 

High School: Played for Coach Matt Jenkins at Hough High … A North Carolina Super Team/All-State Second-Team selection by The Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer … Rated three stars by ESPN and as the No. 83 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 33 player in North Carolina … The Queen City Board 4A Defensive Player of the Year … Had 68 tackles (36 solo), including seven sacks, his senior year … Had 129 tackles (59 solo), including 19 sacks, over his high school career. 

Personal: Is the son of Latricia Byers and Norman Davis … Has two siblings, Di’Andre and Vincent … Brother, Di’Andre, plays football at ETSU.

91 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #91 Jakoby Diamond

                                                                                                         

It's now 91 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today we highlight the Catamount player currently assigned to #91 on the Spring Roster:

Jakoby Diamond

Position Defensive LIne 

Height 6-290 

Class Sophomore 

Hometown Cedartown, Ga. 

High School Cedartown HS

College  Tuskegee 

Prior to Western Carolina: Mid-year transfer from NCAA Division II Tuskegee … Saw action in six games as a freshman, recording 15 total tackles with three solo stops and 1.5 for loss, including a sack … Tallied a season-high five tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack in a home contest against Fort Valley State … Added four stops against Allen… picked up a lose fumble against Morehouse … Prepped at Cedartown High School.

92 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #92 Brandon Joseph II

                                                                                                         

It's now 92 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today we highlight the Catamount player currently assigned to #92 on the Spring Roster:

Brandon Joseph II

Position  Defensive Tackle 

Height  6-3 

Weight  285 

Class  Sophomore 

Hometown  Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 

High School  St. Thomas Aquinas HS

2025 (Freshman): Did not see game action, remaining eligible for a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Credited with 45 total tackles with 16 solo stops over his final two seasons, according to MaxPreps.com … Had six tackles for loss and six sacks, adding 15 hurries … Won a Florida 3M title in 2022 … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.

93 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - Jeremy Johnson

                                                                                                         

It's now 93 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

No Catamount player is currently assigned to #93 on the Spring Roster, so today we will highlight a  player that could wear #93   

Jeremy Johnson 

Position Defensive Tackle

Height 5-10
Weight 300
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Lilburn, Ga.
High School Parkview HS
College  Concord University






2025 (Redshirt Freshman): A mid-year transfer to Western Carolina, enrolling in school in January ... Took part in WCU's annual spring drills ... Did not see game action.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played in three games as a true freshman at Concord University, credited with one tackle against Charleston (W.Va.) ... Made his collegiate debut on Sept. 14, 2024, against UVA Wise; High School: According to MaxPreps, was credited with 63 total tackles as a junior and senior with 36 solo stops and 16.5 tackles for loss with five sacks and a forced fumble.

94 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - Adrian Stone

                                                                                                         

It's now 94 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

No Catamount player is currently assigned to #94 on the Spring Roster, but today we will highlight a  player that could wear #94    

 Adrian Stone

Position Defensive Tackle

Height 6-3
Weight 290
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Fort Myers, Fla.
High School North Fort Myers HS









2025 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 12 of the team’s seasonal games, each coming as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with six total tackles on the season with three solo stops … Made his WCU debut in the season-opener against Gardner-Webb (Aug. 30) … Tallied his first career tackle in the home win over Samford (Sept. 20) … Posted a career-best two tackles in the road win at Chattanooga (Nov. 1).

2024 (Freshman): Did not see game action, remaining eligible for a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named first-team News-Press All-Area as a senior … Selected to play in the FACA All-Star Classic … Listed as one of the top defensive players in southwest Florida entering the 2023 season … As a junior, tallied 78 tackles including 30 solo stops and 13 tackles for loss … Added 18 hurries, nine sacks, two forced fumbles and a PBU … In 2020, was invited to the FBU Freshman All-American Bowl.

95 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - J'evon Bush

                                                                                                         

It's now 95 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the  Eastern Kentucky Colonels in EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

No Catamount player is currently assigned to #95 on the Spring Roster, but today we will highlight a  player that could wear #95      

J'evon Bush

Position Defensive Tackle

Height 6-5
Weight 330
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Orlando, Fla.
High School Jones HS












2025 (Freshman): Did not see game action, remaining eligible for a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Started his prep career at Oak Ridge High before finishing at Jones High in Orlando … Listed as one of the top defensive tackles in Florida by the Florida Varsity Rivals … Was a two-way lineman on both the offensive and defensive front for part of his prep career … Credited with 93 total tackles as a senior including 16 solo stops and a pair of tackles for loss with a sack … Also had a fumble recovery in the 2024 season.