18 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #18 Matthew Keener & Trystan Anderson

                                                                                              

It's now 18 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in E.J. 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 two (2) Catamount players currently assigned to #18 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#18 Matthew Keener

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-2
Weight: 200
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown:  Pilot Mountain, N.C.
High School: East Surry HS

2025 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action, missing the season sidelined by injury ... Named to the 2025-26 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

2024 (Freshman): Did not see game action, remaining eligible for a redshirt ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll ... Earned a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on … Was an early enrollee, coming to WCU in spring 2024 … Two-year varsity letter winner at East Surry High, coached by Trent Lowman … Caught 46 passes for 723 yards and 13 touchdowns over his final two seasons as a prep – the bulk coming as a senior that saw him catch 42 passes for 72 yards and each of his TDs to earn all-conference honors … Tied a school record with four TD catches in a game against West Wilks HS … Named to the 2023 North Carolina East/West All-Star game … Also competed in basketball and track, while also earning all-conference honors in baseball as a prep, making 10 appearances on the mound with three starts

Personal: Is the son of Sharon Keener and Jonathan Keener... Has seven siblings named Jenna, Kayla, Becca, Seth, Stevie, Zach, and Zoe

                                                                       

#18 Trystan Anderson

Position: Defensive Line

Height: 6-4

Weight: 255

Class: Redshirt Senior

Hometown: Buffalo Grove, Ill.

High School: Buffalo Grove HS

College:  Drake

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU after four seasons at Drake;At Drake: Played in 28 games with 19 starts over the past four seasons, credited with 53 tackles, including 29 solo stops and 5.5 for loss with 3.5 sacks ... In 12 games in 2025, credited with 20 total tackles, including 12 solo stops and three TFLs with 2.5 sacks ... Had a career-high 22 tackles in 2024 ... Named to the Pioneer Football League (PFL) Academic Honor Roll; High School: Recorded 177 tackles, 24 sacks, 29 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries during his time at Buffalo Grove High … Named all-conference in three consecutive seasons … As a senior, earned MSL Defensive Player of the Year honors … Named to IHSFCA 1st Team All-State, All-Conference, All-Area and Champaign News-Gazette All-State teams.

Personal: Is the son of Lars Anderson and Travey Drewning... Has a brother named Ayden Anderson and two sisters named Kayla Tyus and Emily Anderson.

19 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #19 Mouhamadou Mane & Cain Jefferson

                                                                                              

It's now 19 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in E.J. 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 two (2) Catamount players currently assigned to #19 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#19 Mouhamadou Mane

Position Wide Receiver
Height 6-2
Weight 170
Class Freshman
Hometown Kathleen, Ga.
High School Veterans HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.

Personal: Is the son of Rama Mane and Omar Mane

                                                                       

#19 Cain Jefferson

Position: Defensive End

Height: 6-3
Weight: 220
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Decatur, Ga.
High School: Columbia HS

2025 (Freshman): Played in four games as a defensive reserve and on special teams, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over Furman (Oct. 11) … Did not record any official statistics.

2024 (Freshman): Early-enrollee at WCU where he took part in WCU's spring drills ... Credited with four tackles including a pair for loss with a sack in the annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Recorded 70 tackles with an average of 6.4 tackles per game as a senior at Columbia HS, ranked third on the team … Was tied for the team lead with 11 sacks as part of 17 tackles for loss … Named the Columbia High Defensive Player of the Year … Earned first-team All-County honors as a senior.

20 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #20 Jadarius Dobie

                                                                                              

It's now 20 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in E.J. 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 #20 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#20 Jadarius Dobie

Position: Running Back
Height: 5-8
Weight: 170
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
High School: Lakeland HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Multi-sport athlete who played football as an all-purpose back and ran track as a prep ... Rushed for over 1,000 yards over his final three seasons ... Was a regional qualifier in the 100-meter dash as a high school junior ... Ran a personal-best 10.46 in the 100-meter and a 22.36 in the 200-meter ... Listed as a three-star prospect by 247Sports ... Originally committed to Sacramento State and Georgia Military.

Personal: Is the son of Ledarius Dobie and Tamara Stanford

21 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #21 Joshua Balloon & Nassor Ashenafi

                                                                                              

It's now 21 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in E.J. 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 two (2) Catamount players currently assigned to #21 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#21 Joshua Balloon

Position: Running Back

Height: 5-8
Weight: 155
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High School: Gaither HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Listed as one of the top running backs in Florida in 2025-26 … Rushed for 849 yards on 57 carries with 13 rushing touchdowns as a senior … Added 10 receptions for 142 yards out of the backfield, scoring twice … Two-way player as a prep, adding 81 total tackles, including 56 solo stops, as a senior, with three sacks … Forced three fumbles and returned a pair of fumbles for touchdowns … Scored 102 points as a senior.

Personal: Is the son of Sameese and Joshua Balloon Sr.

    

#21 Nassor Ashenafi

Position: Nickelback

Height: 5-9
Weight: 170
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High School: Mallard Creek (N.C.) HS

Personal: 2025 (Freshman): Saw action in four games on special teams and as a defensive reserve, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Credited with three total tackles, all solo stops … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over Furman (Oct. 11), recording his first career tackle against the Paladins … Added solo stops at Chattanooga (Nov. 1) and against nationally-ranked Mercer (Nov. 8).

Prior to Western Carolina: Spent two years at Mallard Creek High in Charlotte, moving to North Carolina from Washington, D.C., in 2023 … Recorded an interception in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game … Played at Archbishop Carroll High as a two-way player at running back and defensive back … Also ran track as a prep, winning a state championship.

Personal: is the son of Vakisla Milliner and Amenemhet Ashenafi.

22 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #22 Derrick Davis Jr. & Quency Grant III

                                                                                              

It's now 22 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in E.J. 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 two (2) Catamount players currently assigned to #22 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#22 Derrick Davis Jr.

Position Running Back
Height 6-1
Weight 215
Class Redshirt Senior
Hometown Pittsburgh, Pa.
High School Gateway HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Started his collegiate career at LSU, spending two seasons in Baton Rouge (2021-22) and two years at Pittsburgh (2023-24); At LSU: Played in 17 games over two seasons, moving from defensive safety to running back late in 2022 ... Rushed for 57 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown as a sophomore ... Recorded six total tackles;

At Pittsburgh: A mid-year transfer, played in 19 games over two seasons, including 12 games in 2024 with two starts ... Rushed for 70 yards and two TDs in 2024, adding three catches for 15 yards ... Scored the game-winning touchdown against rival West Virginia with a one-yard score with 32 seconds remaining in the 38-34 win ... Suffered a season-ending injury in '24 in the regular-season finale against Boston College ... Played in eight games in 2023, rushing twice for eight yards.

High School: Named to the ESPN 300 (No. 29), Top247 (No. 98), and Rivals250 (No. 101) ... Was listed as ESPN's No. 1 safety prospect and a four-star prospect by 247Sports ... Was an Under Armour All-American ... Finished his prep career with 3,899 rushing yards on 493 carries (7.9 avg), while also compiling 1,448 receiving yards on 109 catches (13.3 avg) ... Scored 77 total touchdowns ... Pennsylvania Football Writers All-Class 5A, the Pittsburgh Gazette Class 5A Player of the Year, and TribLive High School Sports Network (HSSN) Football Player of the Year ... Played for head coach Don Holl.

Personal: Is the son of Derrick and Venneasha Davis Sr. ... Has two sisters named Gianna and Brielle Davis ... Communications major.

    

#22 Quency Grant III

Position Cornerback

Height 5-10
Weight 160
Class Freshman
Hometown Columbia, S.C.
High School Ridge View HS









Personal: Is the son of Jessica Grant and Quency Grant Jr. ... Has two siblings named Braylen Grant and Gabrielle Grant

A look at the Citadel Bulldogs

The Citadel Bulldogs 2026 preseason football preview

The Citadel Bulldogs travel to Cullowhee to face the Catamounts in the season final for both teams. For the Catamounts, this is Hall of Fame Day, as well as Senior Day. For the fans it's a 'Purple Out!'  The Cats are 22-27-1 overall vs. the Bulldogs and have a 12-13 record against the Bulldogs in games played in Cullowhee, however, the Cats are on a 3 game win streak against the Citadel, and are 5-1 in the last 6 games played.

The Citadel enters 2026 under fourth-year head coach Maurice Drayton (overall record 9-26 through 2025) after a 4-8 (3-5 Southern Conference) campaign in 2025. The Bulldogs were picked ninth in the SoCon preseason coaches’ poll and return continuity at quarterback and on the offensive line while facing major turnover on defense and at skill positions.

Most Important Losses from 2025
-QB Cobey Thompkins: Shared the position effectively (489 rushing yards, 503 passing yards, 4 TDs); entered the portal.
-LB Mikey Rosa: Second-team All-SoCon, team leader in TFLs/sacks and high tackle total; portal departure (graduation timing noted).
-DB Bradlee Jones: Key secondary piece; portal.
-WR Jihad Marks: Late-season explosive threat (14 catches, 464 yards, 7 TDs, high YPC).
-P James Platte: FCS Punter of the Year and All-American; program record-setter.
Other notable skill and defensive contributors (multiple top receivers and a large share of the tackle leaders), contributing to reports of needing to replace roughly 50%+ of the roster via the portal and graduation.

Most Important New Players
Key additions include:
-LB Zyion Brown (Dartmouth transfer): Immediate impact candidate with prior production (noted for high tackle totals at previous stop).
-RB Gavin Garcia (Kent State).
-DBs Tre McLeod (Furman), Zeb Stroup (Presbyterian), Savionne Rogers (Barton).
-LBs Jalen Wright (Alabama A&M), Boyce Bankhead (Presbyterian), Isaiah Richardson (Eastern Illinois).
-DL Beau Shugarts (Bryant), Trevor Duncan (Tennessee), others such as Eli Shereshovech IV, Brandan Green, D’Angelo Sheppard.

Skill transfers: WRs Derek Kee (Vanderbilt), Nick Armentano (Syracuse), Ismael Zamor (Boston College), Damir Abdullah; additional OL and depth pieces.
High school/recruiting class additions for long-term depth (OL, DL, LB, QB options).

Offense
The offense runs a spread-option scheme under coordinator Lamar Owens and emphasizes the run (210.6 rushing yards per game in 2025, first in the SoCon and ninth in FCS). Quentin Hayes returns as the clear quaarterback after splitting time in 2025; the Enterprise, Ala., product (Air Force transfer) completed 58-of-92 passes (63%) for 897 yards and 8 TDs with 4 INTs while rushing for a team-high 682 yards and 7 TDs (1,579 total yards, 15 total TDs). He earned Preseason All-SoCon first-team honors.

The offensive line is a strength, returning significant contributors including Preseason All-SoCon first-teamer Tyler Heggins-Hill (versatile starter at guard/tackle) and Brady Pickett (high snap counts, solid pass protection and run-blocking grades). Depth here supports the ground game.Skill positions require rebuilding. Only Braylon Knauth returns as a significant contributor among wide receivers (16 catches, 240 yards, 2 TDs in 2025, plus return duties). Top producers Jihad Marks (explosive production late in the year), Javonte Graves-Billips, and others are gone. Running back depth is thin among returners of significant snaps; the group will rely on newcomers and development. Sebastien Boyle and others provide some carryover, but production must be replaced.

Defense
This unit faces the steepest climb. Only about four significant contributors return (per snap-count data), with just two noted starters from 2025 (DL Chris Benton and DB Nick Mirabella/Temarcus Elam among the returners). Top tacklers from 2025 largely graduated or entered the transfer portal. Benton, a senior DL, had a solid 2025 (26 tackles, 5 sacks in limited notes) and prior All-SoCon freshman recognition.

Defensive coordinator Raleigh Jackson’s group must integrate a large influx of transfers. Linebacker and secondary depth were hard-hit; the front will need quick chemistry.

Special Teams
Special teams remain a relative strength under coordinator Tony Coaxum. Long snapper Tommy DiLiegro earned Preseason All-SoCon first-team recognition. Punt duties fall to returners such as Jack Weil and others. Knauth provides return experience.

Season Prospects
The schedule is demanding: SoCon opener at Wofford (Aug. 29), at Charlotte (FBS), vs. Charleston Southern (home opener/Lowcountry Boil Bowl), vs. Chattanooga, at South Carolina State, vs. ETSU, at Texas A&M (Power conference), vs. Tennessee Tech (SoCon newcomer), at Mercer, vs. Furman (Homecoming), at VMI, at Western Carolina. Projected strength of schedule is relatively tough.

Strengths:
Continuity and dual-threat ability at QB with Hayes, a veteran OL that should sustain the run game, special teams culture, and portal reinforcements addressing defensive holes. 

Weaknesses: 

Massive defensive experience loss, thin returning production at RB/WR/TE, and the need for rapid integration of transfers in a military-college environment that emphasizes culture and retention.

Realistic outlook is another rebuilding/competitive-but-challenging year in a competitive SoCon. A step forward toward .500 or better in conference play is possible if the run game clicks, Hayes stays healthy, and the new defensive pieces gel. Upset potential exists in rivalry games (Wofford, VMI, Furman, Charleston Southern), but road games against higher-tier FCS and FBS opponents will be difficult. Success hinges on execution in the trenches, turnover margin, and special teams consistency. Preseason polls and media views place them near the bottom of the conference, but Drayton emphasizes daily improvement over July rankings.

Overall, 2026 is about building continuity and roster stability under Drayton while competing hard in the SoCon.

23 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - Jeremiah Judd

                                                                                                

It's now 23 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in E.J. 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 #23 on the WCU Preseason Roster, so today we highlight another assistant coach:

Jeremiah Judd

Title Football Quality Control Coach - Assistant WR/TE


Jeremiah Judd joined the Catamount football coaching staff in the spring of 2026. A 2025 graduate of Wingate, Judd serves as a football quality control coach at WCU, assisting with the Catamount wide receivers and some with the team’s quarterbacks.

Originally from Greer, S.C., Judd played quarterback at Blue Ridge High School before attending Wingate, where he earned his degree in business management. He was on the Bulldog football roster for three seasons at QB before transitioning into an offensive student assistant coaching role as a senior. Wingate finished 9-3 in 2025, averaging 36.5 points per game with 51 touchdowns coming on an average of 422.6 yards of total offense per game.

24 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - Anthony Benjamin & Terrell Poyser

                                                                                              

It's now 24 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in E.J. 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 two (2) Catamount players currently assigned to #24 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#24 Anthony Benjamin

Position Running Back
Height 5-10
Weight 165
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Fort Myers, Fla.
High School Dunbar HS
College  Jacksonville State

2025 (Redshirt Sophomore): Is a mid-year transfer to Western Carolina from Conference USA-member Jacksonville State ... Western Carolina originally offered him out of high school … Made his WCU debut in the home win over Furman (Oct. 11), rushing three times for 21 total yards with a long of 14 yards.

Prior to Western Carolina: Spent two seasons at Jacksonville State in Alabama, redshirting in 2023 ... Made his collegiate debut against Louisiana Tech on Nov. 18, 2023; 

High School: Prepped for head coach Sam Brown at Dunbar High … Was Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports out of high school … Was a multi-sport athlete that also competes in track and field and played varsity basketball … Hauled in 34 passes for 461 yards and three touchdowns as a senior … Served as the team’s main kick returner in 2022, totaling 305 yards … Averaged 19.9 yards per reception totaling 758 yards and seven scores on 38 catches as a junior … Helped Dunbar High win district titles in his junior and senior seasons … Ended his varsity career with 106 receptions for 1,766 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Personal: Is the son of Syneeta Benjamin

#24 Terrell Poyser

Position Cornerback

Height 6-3
Weight 150
Class Freshman
Hometown Wildwood, Fla.
High School South Sumter HS









Prior to Western Carolina: Signed during the early period in December and enrolled at WCU mid-year … Selected to the FACA District 8 All District Team as a senior … Credited with 29 tackles and an interception, helping lead his high school back to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) playoffs.

Personal: Is the son of Collin Poyser and Cassandra Register

25 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - Noah Best & Caleb Young Jr.

                                                                                              

It's now 25 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in E.J. 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 two (2) Catamount players currently assigned to #25 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#25 Noah Best

Position Running Back 

Height 5-11 

Weight 190 

Class Redshirt Freshman 

Hometown Charlotte, N.C.










2025 (Freshman): Did not see game action, expected to take a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on … Saw action as a running back and a defensive back … Named third-team All-State as a two-way player by the HighSchoolOT.com … Offensive MVP of the state championship game, catching 10 passes for 114 yards and adding 11 carries for 67 yards and a score … Added 140 return yards … Also ran track as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Clarisa Best and Keanta Best and the stepson of Lori Best... Has a sister named Natalia Best and two stepsisters named Destinee and Nesbit Best.

#25 Caleb Young Jr

Position Safety
Height 6-0
Weight 210
Class Freshman
Hometown Gainesville, Fla.
High School Buchholz HS









Personal: Is the son of Lunese Boco and Caleb Young Sr... has four brothers named Titan Lane, Malik Lane, Major Young, and Nolan Young as well as one sister named Brooklynne Lane.

26 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #26 Devin Brown

                                                                                              

It's now 26 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in E.J. 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 #26 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#26  Devin Brown

Position: Nickelback

Height: 5-10
Weight: 160
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
High School: Northwestern HS










2025 (Freshman): Saw action in four games as a true freshman, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Recorded two total tackles with a pair of solo stops … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Gardner-Webb (Aug. 30) … Recorded his first career tackle with a solo stop at Wake Forest (Sept. 6) … Credited with a solo tackle in the home win over Samford (Sept. 20).

Prior to Western Carolina: Was part of the 2024 FHSAA Class 3A state championship team at Miami Northwestern High … Among a heralded defensive secondary at NHS … Listed as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.