74 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - Corey Headley

                                                                                                       

It's now 74 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 player is currently assigned to #74, so we will highlight another member of the coaching staff:

Corey Headley

 Title:   Assistant Coach / Wide Receivers

Corey Headley joined the Western Carolina football staff during the winter of 2024, taking the role as Director of Player Personnel. He came to Cullowhee after spending the previous year on staff as the running backs coach at Tusculum University under former head coach and former WCU defensive coordinator, Jerry Odom. Headley helped the Pioneers to the 2023 SAC Mountain Division Championship while on staff in Greeneville, Tenn.

In the spring of 2024, Headley assumed the quarterbacks coach position in addition to his player personnel responsibilities. During the spring of 2026, Headley took over as the wide receivers coach for the Catamount offense.

Before Tusculum, Headley served as the offensive coordinator at Kenyon College, an NCAA Division III program in Gambier, Ohio. On staff, he helped guide the Owls to the third-best season in program history, transforming the offense into a Top 25 unit with an average of 445 yards per game while also breaking multiple school records.

In his first full-time position, Headley spent two seasons on staff at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind., from 2015 through 2017 where he coached the wide receivers and served as the program’s recruiting coordinator in addition to handling football operations. Over his two seasons, he worked closely with one of the top offensive units in NCAA Division III football, helping lead the program to a 2016 conference championship and the school’s first trip to the NCAA playoffs.

In mid-July 2017, Headley took over as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., where he helped the passing game excel. Six of his wide receivers collected all-conference honors in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) and he also mentored conference Newcomer of the Year Cole Blais.

Prior to Kenyon College, Headley served as the tight ends coach and director of football operations at Gardner-Webb University under former head coach Tre Lamb. He spent two years, from February 2020 until 2022, in Boiling Springs. Headley handled all football operations for the Runnin’ Bulldogs.

Originally from Erwin, Tenn., Headley is a 2013 graduate of Carson-Newman College with a degree in education. After earning his professional start as a graduate assistant at his alma mater for a season, Headley spent the 2014 season working with the Unicoi County (Tenn.) High School football program.

75 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #75 Renard Smith

                                                                                                       

It's now 75 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 #75 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#75 Renard Smith

Position Offensive Line

Height 6-4
Weight 310
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Dallas, Ga
College:  University of Pikeville (UPike)

High School East Paulding HS

2025 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in seven of the team’s 12 seasonal games with one start … Made his WCU debut with his first start in the season-opener against Gardner-Webb (Aug. 30) … Did not record any official statistics, but helped guide a Catamount offense to record numbers in 2025, finishing with a school-record 5,920 total yards, including 4,268 passing yards and 1,652 yards on the ground.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played in 10 games at UPike during the 2024 season along the offensive line and on special teams … Named to the second-team All-Appalachian Athletics Conference in 2024;

High School: Played football and basketball, as well as field events in track & field as a prep.

76 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - Malik Goodman

                                                                                                       

It's now 76 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 player is currently assigned to #76, so we will highlight another member of the coaching staff:

Malik Goodman

• Title

  Assistant Coach / Safeties

• 
  

Malik Goodman, who played collegiately at Tusculum University and earned his coaching start at his alma mater, joined the Catamount football defensive coaching staff in January 2024. Goodman will coach the safeties in the Catamount defensive secondary.

Goodman joined former Tusculum head coach – and former WCU defensive coordinator – Jerry Odom on the Catamount defensive staff after serving as the defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator from 2021-23.

Goodman began his career as a defensive graduate assistant for the Pioneers in the COVID-abbreviated Spring 2021 season. Guided by a defense that limited opponents to just 17.6 points and 311.2 yards per game, Tusculum posted a 4-1 record and won the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) championship. The Pioneers allowed a league-low 84 rushing yards per game.


Between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Tusculum’s defense recorded a combined 36 interceptions including a SAC-leading 19 in 2022 that ranked third in the NCAA Division II rankings. The Pioneers ranked second in the conference with 17 picks in 2023 – a mark that also ranked among the Top 15 nationally. The 2022 Tusculum defense limited opponents to just 159.6 passing yards per game, ranked 15th in the country.

During his three seasons at Tusculum, he mentored two-time All-South Atlantic Conference selection in nickelback Ryan Dolce, with safety Jermaine Witherspoon, and cornerbacks Andrae Robinson and Tykorian Brown also earning postseason plaudits.

Originally from Jacksonville, Fla., Goodman was a two-time All-South Atlantic Conference (SAC) standout where he played in 39 career games for the Pioneers. He recorded 193 career tackles including 14 for loss with three sacks. He accounted for 19 passes defended, finishing his career tied for the 10th in program history. He added five career takeaways with three interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries while also forcing two fumbles.

Goodman earned All-Super Region 2 honors in 2018 as he tallied 48 tackles including five for loss with a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery, and two pass breakups. He was awarded SAC Defensive Player of the Week after posting eight tackles and forced a critical fourth-quarter force with the recovery to preserve a 31-28 win over Mars Hill in October 2018.

As a senior, Goodman collected All-SAC plaudits for a second consecutive season as he recorded 47 stops with an interception and three passes defended.

Goodman graduated from Tusculum in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He also earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Training & Performance Management from Tusculum in 2021.

Malik is married to Yoland Goodman.

77 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #77 John Hammond

                                                                                                         

It's now 77 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 #77 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#77 John Hammond

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-5
Weight 295
Class Sophomore
Hometown Spartanburg, S.C.
High School Spartanburg HS

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

Prior to Western Carolina:  Two-time All-Region selection … Versatile offensive lineman who played center as a senior …Was among the Prep Redzone South Carolina’s Fab 50 breakdown of offensive linemen in the state.

Personal: His father, Vance Hammond, was recruited to and played at Clemson before playing professionally … Was a fifth-round draft pick by the Phoenix Cardinals and was in camp by the Los Angeles Rams … Played in the WLAF for San Antonio and Sacramento … Played for two US-based teams in the CFL – Sacramento and Memphis – before being drafted in the dispersal draft by Calgary.

78 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #78 J'evon Bush

                                                                                                         

It's now 78 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 #78 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#78  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..

79 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #79 Vito Moriana-Sigel

                                                                                                         

It's now 79 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 #79 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#79  Vito Moriana-Sigel

  
Position Offensive Line
Height 6-5
Weight 315
Class Senior
Hometown Estepona, Spain
College  Mississippi Valley State

High School Kiski School

2025 (Junior): Was a mid-year transfer from Mississippi Valley State after starting his collegiate career at Trinity Valley Community College … Saw action in eight of the team’s 12 games on the season with four starts along the offensive line … Made his WCU debut as a reserve at Wake Forest (Sept. 6) with his first of four-straight starts for the Catamounts coming against Elon (Sept. 13) … Did not record any official statistics, but helped guide a Catamount offense to record numbers in 2025, finishing with a school-record 5,920 total yards, including 4,268 passing yards and 1,652 yards on the ground.

Prior to Western Carolina: Mid-year transfer from Mississippi Valley State after starting his career at Trinity Valley CC … Started 12 games at Mississippi Valley State in the SWAC, helping MVSU rank fourth in the nation for the fewest sacks allowed; At Trinity Valley CC: Graduated from TVCC with honors earning his AA; 

High School: Was a two-way lineman at the Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pa.

80 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #80 Corey Swint

                                                                                                         

It's now 80 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 #80 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#80  Corey Swint

Position  Wide Receiver
Height  6-0
Weight  170
Class  Freshman
Hometown  Miami, Fla.
High School  Killian HS

81 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #81 Emanuel Palmer

                                                                                                         

It's now 81 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 #81 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#81  Emanuel Palmer

Position Wide Receiver
Height 5-8
Weight 165
Class Freshman
Hometown Collierville, Tenn.
High School Collierville HS

82 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #82 Matthew Keener

                                                                                                         

It's now 82 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 #82 on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#82 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.

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.

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