SoCon Power Rankings (after week #3)

September 14, 2026

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2026 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.  Here are this week's power rankings, after week #3 of play. Last week's ranking in parentheses.  

1. (1) Tenn Tech (1-0)

Next: Samford (0-2)

2. (7) Furman (2-1)

Next: SC State (3-0)

3. (4) Wofford (2-1, 1-0 SoCon)

Next: at Chattanooga (1-2, 0-1 SoCon)

4. (3) Western Carolina (1-2)

Next: PC (1-1)

5. (2) Mercer (2-1)

Next:  at Georgia Tech  (0-2)

6. (5) The Citadel (1-2)

Next: Bye

7. (6) Chattanooga (1-2, 0-1 SoCon)

Next: Wofford (2-1, 1-0 SoCon)

8. (8) ETSU  (1-2)

Next: West Georgia  (0-2)

9. (9) Samford (0-3, 0-1 SoCon)
Next: Bye

10. (10) VMI (0-3)

Next: at Davidson  (1-2)

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WCU Game #4 - Presbyterian Blue Hose

In Western Carolina's fourth game of the 2026 season, the Presbyterian Blue Hose travel to Cullowhee to face the Catamounts for the twenty-first time overall on the gridiron. This is WCU's Family Weekend in Cullowhee & is a 'White Out Whitmire' game. The Blue Hose were last in Cullowhee in 2022

Game #5 - Presbyterian Blue Hose

When: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Time: 2:30 pm (ET)  
Where: EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV / video: ESPN+

Colors:  Blue and Garnet

Conference: Pioneer

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -     PC

Mascot: Blue Hose

Location: Clinton, SC 

The Series: The Catamounts have a 11-9 overall record with PC that stretches back to September of 1950

Head Coach: Matt Rahl was appointed the 18^th head football coach in Presbyterian history on December 29, 2025. Rahl – who holds 24 years of experience as an assistant coach, including three FBS programs – has served as PC’s offensive line coach, run game coordinator, and offensive recruiting coordinator for the past two seasons. He takes over a program that reached new heights in 2025 with his guidance, helping the Blue Hose post a 16-8 record since arriving.

The Blue Hose enters the game at 1-1, and are coming off a road loss to Mercer by a final score of 3-62. 

See the preseason preview A Look at the Presbyterian College Blue Hose. 

The Catamounts will pay the Blue Hose a $105,000 guarantee for the game, according to the copy of the contract (the price you pay without playing a home-and-home series).  

9-11 Never Forget

 

WCU Game #3 - at Cincinnati Bearcats

In Western Carolina's third game of the 2026 season, the Catamounts travel to Cincinnati, Ohio to face the Cincinnati Bearcats for the second time overall. Western will receive a $475,000 guarantee payout for playing at the Cincinnati Bearcats on September 12, 2026.

Game #3 - Cincinnati Bearcats

When: Saturday, September 12, 2026

Time: 7 pm (ET)  
Where: Nippert Stadium - Cincinnati, Ohio
Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV / video: ESPN+

Colors:  Red and Black

Conference: Big 12

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -     Cincinnati

Enrollment: 53,682

Mascot: Bearcats

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio 

The Series: The Catamounts have faced the Bearcats one time, in 2005 where they lost 3-7.

Head Coach: Scott Satterfield his fourth season leading the Bearcats in 2026. On staff in Cincinnati is former WCU head coach Mark Speir (assist. head coach).

What the Catamounts are facing:  

Cincinnati Athletic Budget:  Expenses: $119.3 million for FY2024–25, reflecting a 13% increase from the previous year due to facility debts, operations, and scholarships. Set to receive a full $36 million conference revenue share allotment for the 2025–26 fiscal year as a full XII member. 

Student-Athlete Pay: Planning to spend up to the $20.5 million cap for direct athlete revenue-sharing under the House v. NCAA settlement

Catamount Football Weekly (9-7-26)

 

SoCon Power Rankings (after week #2)

September 7, 2026

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2026 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.  Here are this week's power rankings, after week #2 of play. Last week's ranking in parentheses.  

1. (2) Tenn Tech (1-0)

Next: Samford (0-2)

2. (3) Mercer (2-0)

Next:  Furman (1-1)

3. (1) Western Carolina (1-1)

Next: at

Cincinnati

(1-0)

4. (4) Wofford (1-0)

Next: Gardner-Webb (0-1)

5. (9) The Citadel (1-1)

Next: Charleston Southern  (0-2)

6. (6) Chattanooga (1-1)

Next:  at EKU  (0-2)

7. (5) Furman (1-1)

Next: at Mercer (2-0)

8. (7) ETSU  (1-1)

Next: at UNC  (1-0)

9. (8) Samford (0-2)
Next: at Tenn Tech (2-0)

10. (10) VMI (0-2)

Next: at Va Tech  (0-0)

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WCU 2-Deep Roster at Campbell

 

2026 SoCon Power Rankings (after Week #1)

August 31, 2026

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2026 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.  Here are this week's power rankings, after week #1. 

1. Western Carolina (1-0)

Next: at Campbell (1-0)

2. TTU (1-0)

Next: at Chattanooga

3. Mercer (1-0)

Next:  PC (1-0)

4. Wofford (1-0)

Next: Gardner-Webb (0-1)

5. Furman (1-0)

Next: at Tennessee  (0-0)

6. Chattanooga (1-0)

Next:  TTU (1-0)

7. ETSU (1-2)

Next: Tusculum (1-0)

8. Samford (0-1)
Next: at Southern Illinois (0-1)

9. The Citadel (0-1)
Next: at Charlotte (0-0)

10. VMI (0-1)

Next: at Va Tech  (0-0)

1.          

Catamount Football Weekly w/ Head Coach Kerwin Bell (8-31-28)

 

WCU Football Game #2 - at Campbell Camels

In Western Carolina's second game of the 2026 season the Catamounts travel to Buies Creek, NC to face the Campbell Camels for the second straight season. The fighting camels are coming off an upset win over the ETSU Bucs in Johnson City, by a final score of 49-37.

The Camels finished the 2025 season with a 2-10 overall record and a 2-6 CAA record. Campbell picked up a win over the Cats in Cullowhee two seasons ago, essentially costing Western Carolina an NCAA at-large playoff opportunity, but the Cats took the win last season in Buies Creek, 42-35.

Game #2 - Campbell Camels

When: Saturday, September 5, 2026

Time: 3:30 pm (ET)  
Where: Barker-Lane Stadium, Buies Creek, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network

   -Play-by-Play: Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV / video: Flo Sports (it will cost you $19.99 for one month)

Live Stats: Campbell Live Stats

Colors:  Orange and Black

Conference: Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -    Campbell

Enrollment: 5,000

Mascot: Gaylord the Camel

Nickname:  Fighting Camels

Location: Buies Creek, NC (population- 3,253 at the 2020 census)  

Game Notes:    Western   -    Campbell    

The Series: Campbell actually hold a 1-3 record over the Cats from games played in 1935 & 1937 in Cullowhee. Campbell dropping football in 1950. The Camels returned to the gridiron in 2008, and won the 2024 season's game in Cullowhee.  

Head Coach: Braxton Harris. Campbell director of athletics Hannah Bazemore announced Braxton Harris as the Fighting Camels’ head football coach on January 2, 2024. Harris, who previously spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons on staff at Campbell, returns to Buies Creek after spending 2023 as head coach at FCS Southland Conference member Houston Christian. Harris becomes the third head coach in Campbell’s modern football history (since 2008). . 

Harris's record vs. Western Carolina: 1-1

Kerwin Bell's record vs. Campbell: 1-1

Last Season's Record - 2025 (Campbell): 2-10 overall, 1-5 home, 1-5 away, 2-6 CAA

Campbell Record - 2026:  1-0 overall, 0-0 home, 1-0 away, 0-0 CAA

Campbell finished the 2025 football season with an overall record of 2–10 and a 2–6 record in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) conference play. While it was a challenging season, the team was highly competitive in conference play, suffering four heartbreaking losses by a touchdown or less. The Cats are 1-3 overall all verses the Camels, but are 1-0 in Buies Creek, N.C.

thanks to a 42-35 win last season.

Following the 2025 season, head coach Braxton Harris initiated a complete overhaul of the defensive coaching staff. This decisive change came after a 2–10 campaign heavily defined by late-game collapses, where the Fighting Camels dropped seven separate games in which they held a fourth-quarter lead.

Roster & Coaching Outlook

Quarterback Stability:   Sophomore Kamden Sixkiller returns to build on a strong 2025 performance, where he notably logged 258 passing yards in the season finale.

Skill Positions: Key offensive pieces like receiver Randall King (who posted 121 receiving yards in late 2025) and running back Ethan Lawrence provide established firepower.

Staff Reinforcements: The defense gets a strategic boost with the hiring of Blaine Miller as the Defensive Run Game Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach.

Offense: The Sixkiller Era Takes Flight

Offensive Coordinator Matt Kubik heads into the fall with a clear vision: a balanced, high-tempo attack built around sophomore quarterback Kamden Sixkiller.

Quarterback Room: After securing the starting job as a freshman, Kamden Sixkiller (#6) enters 2026 with high expectations. He showed elite poise in the 2025 finale against Towson, throwing for 258 yards and a touchdown. 

The Ground Game: Running backs Ethan Lawrence (#23) is a prototypical dual-threat back, logging 66 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 15 receiving yards in late-season action last year. 

Offensive Line: Veterans Andrew Guthrie (#78) and Mason Merriwether (#55) anchor the left side of the line. The focal point of Fall Camp will be replacing departed talent at guard to ensure Sixkiller remains clean in the pocket.

Campbell’s 49-37 win on August 29, 2026 (at ETSU) was driven primarily by ball security and scoring efficiency, especially capitalizing on ETSU’s two second-half fumbles, despite nearly even overall yardage (on the ground and in the air). ETSU outgained Campbell slightly and had a strong debut from Mims, but the Buccaneers’ two lost fumbles were decisive. One was returned to the 1-yard line and led directly to a Campbell touchdown that made the score 42-24 early in the fourth quarter. Campbell also controlled the clock better and converted more consistently in the red zone/rushing game.

In short, while the offenses were comparably productive in raw yards, Campbell’s zero turnovers, five rushing touchdowns, superior possession time, and ability to turn ETSU’s second-half mistakes into points were the clear difference makers in the 12-point victory.

2026 Campbell Statistics (1 game)

Rushing Offense:177 yards 

Yards per game: 177
Yards per rush: 5.5 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 4
TDs rushing: 5
Passing Offense: 343 yards 

Passing 1st downs: 18
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 29-42-0

TDs Passing: 2

Total Offense: 514 yards 
Fumbles - Lost: 0-0
3d Down Conversions:  6 of 16 

4th Down Conversions: 3 of 4

Field goal attempts:0 of 1
PAT-Attempts: 7 of 7
Red Zone Scores:  5 of 6
On-Side Kicks: 0 - 0

Game Day - WCU Football Kickoff - AJ Colombo & Blue Monroe

                                                          

Game Day in Cullowhee

It's now 0 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 #0  (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#0  AJ Colombo

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5-8
Weight: 170
Class: Fifth Year
Hometown: Waxhaw, N.C.
High School: Cuthbertson HS

2026 (Graduate Student): Named to the second-team Preseason All-Southern Conference at wide receiver by the league's head coaches ... Nominated for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy through the National Football Foundation (NFF) ... Represented WCU at the 2026 SoCon Football Media Day.

2025 (Senior): Missed the season after suffering an injury during spring practice ... Expected to take a medical redshirt to return for the 2026 season ... Named to the 2025-26 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

2024 (Junior): Started 10 of the 11 games in which he saw action … Led the Catamounts with a Southern Conference best 61 receptions and 590 receiving yards that ranked him eighth in the league … Was second on the squad with five receiving touchdowns, tied for fifth in the SoCon … Caught a career-high nine passes in the season-opener at NC State (Aug. 29), just missing the century mark with 97 yards … Caught five passes for 51 yards and returned five punts for 50 yards to amass 101 all-purpose yards … Recorded his first 100-yard receiving performance with a career-high 116 yards on a career-high tying nine receptions at Samford (11/23/24) … Named to the first-team All-Southern Conference team 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 ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

2023 (Sophomore): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games with two starts at wide receiver … Finished third on the team with 31 receptions for 438 yards and five touchdowns, the latter ranking him tied for fifth in the SoCon … Caught passes in eight of the 10 games in which he saw action … Caught five passes for 79 yards and a score in the home win over nationally-ranked Samford (Sept. 9) … Tallied his first multi-score game with two TD receptions against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Matched with five catches for 40 yards and a score at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Tallied a career-high seven receptions for 56 yards against Mercer … Returned 16 punts for 192 total yards, ranking third in the SoCon with a 12.0 yard per return average … Added six kickoff returns for 78 total yards with a long of 21 yards … Hauled in five passes for 96 yards and a 64-yard touchdown pass in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman): Saw action in all 11 of the team’s games with one start at wide receiver … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) with his first collegiate start against VMI (Oct. 1) … Finished the season with five catches for 36 yards, making his first reception against Presbyterian (Sept. 16) and catching two passes for 26 yards against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Returned 14 punts for 124 total yards, averaging 8.9 yards per return with a long of 39 yards in the win over VMI (Oct. 1) … Dropped back on kickoff returns the final four games of the season, finishing with 11 returns for 258 yards and a team-best 23.5 yard per return average … Named to the 2022 Southern Conference All-Freshman team on special teams by the league’s head coaches … Hauled in six receptions for 67 yards including a 50-yard strike from QB Bennett Judy to pull the White team to within seven, 21-14, six possessions into WCU’s annual Spring Game … Received a partial scholarship from head coach Kerwin Bell following the conclusion of WCU’s annual spring drills ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll ... Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-time, first-team all-conference receiver at Cuthbertson High for head coach Trey Kavanaugh ... Recorded 154 career catches for 1,784 yards and seven touchdowns over three seasons as a prep, adding two kickoff returns for TDs ... Also rushed 162 times for 909 career yards with 17 touchdowns ... Posted a conference-record 17 receptions in a game as a junior ... Started his prep career at quarterback on the junior varsity team in 2018 ... Also played lacrosse as a prep, scoring 49 goals as a senior.

Personal: Full name is Armond Giuseppe Colombo, but prefers to go by "AJ" ... Is the son of Juliann and Thomas Colombo ... Was born in Boston, Mass. ... Has three older sisters - Gia, CeCe, and Gracie ... His father was a Hall of Fame quarterback at Villanova.


                                                                              

#0 Blue Monroe

Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-1
Weight: 225
Class: Fifth Year
Hometown: Concord, N.C.
High School: Jay M. Robinson HS

2025 (Redshirt Junior): Played in two games as a defensive reserve and on special teams before suffering a season-ending injury … Expected to apply for a medical redshirt … Credited with six total stops in two games played, each coming in the season-opener against Gardner-Webb (Aug. 30) … Had three solo stops and one for loss against the Runnin’ Bulldogs … Named second-team Preseason All-Southern Conference at linebacker.

2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 11 of the team’s 12 games with a pair of starts on defense … Credited with 36 total tackles, including 19 solo stops with eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks … Recorded tackles in all 11 games he saw action, with multiple stops in 10 games … Charted a pair of quarterback hurries … On special teams, returned on short kickoff four yards against Wofford (Oct. 5) … Combined on a tackle for loss in the season-opener at NC State (Aug. 29) … Two of his three solo tackles against Campbell (Sept. 7) went as TFLs for losses … Posted a season-high eight tackles with four solo stops in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19).

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 of the team’s games, mostly on special teams and as a reserve on defense … Credited with 11 total tackles including five solo stops … Had two tackles for nine yards in losses including half a sack, adding a quarterback hurry … Posted tackles in six of the 11 games on the year … Recorded with two tackles at Arkansas (Sept. 2) with a pair of solo stops including a tackle for loss against Mercer (Oct. 28) … Had two kickoff returns for 30 total yards on short kicks against Mercer, returning one 20 total yards … Finished with a career-best three stops with half a tackle for loss in the road win at Wofford (Nov. 4) ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman): Played in four games as a true freshman, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Saw time on special teams and as a reserve on defense … Made his collegiate debut at Samford (Sept. 24) … Credited with two kickoff returns as an up-back, totaling 14 total yards including a 13-yard return at Furman (Oct. 15) … Matched a team-high with seven tackles including a tackle for loss in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played quarterback and outside linebacker as a prep, starting his high school career at Hough High with a year at Central Cabarrus High before finishing at Robinson High ... As a senior, finished with 76 tackles including 32 solo stops and nine tackles for loss with one sack and an interception, according to MaxPreps.com ... Recovered three fumbles and credited with two passes defended ... As a prep, passed for over 2,500 yards with 22 touchdowns while rushing for right at 1,000 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

Personal: Full name is Blue Kincade Monroe ... Is the son of April and Ken Monroe ... His father played football at Wingate and his mother is a former body builder ... Has an older sibling, Storm, who plays linebacker at Davidson College, and a younger sibling, Haven, who attends the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

1 Day until WCU Football Kickoff - Jai Boyd & Ken Moore Jr.

                                                          

It's now 1 day 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 #1 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#1 Jai Boyd

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
Class: Senior
Hometown: Ridgeway, S.C.
High School: Fairfield Central HS

2025 (Redshirt Sophomore): Battled back from injury twice to see action in three games, making his season debut at Furman (Oct. 11) … Recorded two receptions against nationally-ranked Mercer (Nov. 8), finishing the year with 21 receiving yards and a 10-yard receiving score against the Bears for his first collegiate touchdown.

2024 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in nine of the team’s 12 games with one start … Finished with 19 receptions for 307 total yards … Twice had a career-long reception of 56 yards … Recorded at least two receptions in eight of the nine games he played … Made his first collegiate reception as part of two catches against Wofford (Oct. 5) for a combined 16 yards, duplicating that effort a week later against The Citadel (Oct. 12) … Caught a career-high three passes for a career-best 102 receiving yards in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) … Closed the year with consecutive three-catch games against VMI (Nov. 16) for 77 yards and at Samford (Nov. 23) … Caught three passes for a scrimmage-best 107 receiving yards in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Freshman): Played in two games, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Did not record an official statistics … Made his collegiate debut in the season opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2) while also playing in the home win over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23).

Prior to Western Carolina: Two-way player as a prep playing wide receiver and free safety … Caught 48 passes for 1,076 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior, adding a punt return for a score.

Personal: Is the son of PerKenya Boyd and Dontae Boyd

                                                                      

#1  Ken Moore Jr.

Position: SPUR
Height: 5-10
Weight: 165
Class: Fifth Year
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
High School: Christopher Columbus HS

2026 (Redshirt Senior): Was a first-team Preseason All-Southern Conference selection by the league's head coaches ... Named first-team Preseason All-America by FCS Football Central ... Named second-team Preseason All-America by both Stats Perform FCS and Phil Steele as a defensive back ... Listed on the preseason watch list for the 2026 Buck Buchanan Award.

2025 (Redshirt Junior): Started all 12 of the team’s games in the defensive secondary … Finished sixth on the Catamount squad with 43 total tackles, with 28 solo stops and 5.5 for loss with a sack ... Tied for the WCU lead with three interceptions, tied for third in the Southern Conference … Was tied for the team-lead with seven pass breakups, tied for sixth in the conference ... Recorded tackles in all 12 games, including a career-high 10 tackles with seven solo stops in the road win at The Citadel (Oct. 18) … Finished with eight tackles against Elon (Sept. 13) with half a TFL and tallied a sack as part of a three-stop effort in the road win at Wofford (Oct. 4) ... Intercepted a pair of passes in the win over Furman (Oct. 11), returning a second-quarter pick 64 yards for a touchdown, his second career defensive score ... Named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 13) after the Furman victory … Named a first-team All-Southern Conference selection at defensive back by the league's head coaches ... Selected to the first-team All-SoCon by Phil Steele … Was a preseason first-team All-SoCon selection.

2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in all 12 of the team’s games on the season with 10 starts in the defensive secondary … Recorded 36 total tackles, including 23 solo stops and four tackles for loss … Posted tackles in all 12 games with multiple stops nine times … Finished second on the team with a career-best four interceptions coming in four separate games … Made his first collegiate start in the season-opener at NC State (Aug. 29), finishing with five total tackles and an interception he returned 51 yards … Two of his three stops against The Citadel (Oct. 12) went for loss … Credited with five solo stops against Chattanooga (Nov. 2), recording his second interception with a 38-yard return … Returned a second-quarter interception 34 yards for his first career touchdown as part of WCU’s 41-7 first-half lead against VMI (Nov. 16) … Posted a career-high six tackles, including five solo stops in the season finale at Samford (Nov. 23) … Credited with five stops and a pass breakup in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 of the team’s games as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Recorded 17 total tackles with 11 solo stops with one tackle for loss … Credited with two pass breakups and had an interception … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2), making his first career tackle as part of a two solo stop effort … Posted a career-high six tackles with four solo stops against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Had a tackle for loss at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Made his first career interception at Chattanooga (Oct. 7), adding a pair of pass breakups in the road win … Credited with four tackles in the home win over Mercer (Oct. 28) and three in the road win at Wofford (Nov. 4) … Named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team.

2022 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Recorded a pass breakup in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Credited with 64 total tackles including 44 solo stops according to MaxPreps … Posted three interceptions as a prep … Caught 10 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns as a part of 547 all-purpose yards … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.ma Simpson … Is the brother of former Catamount, Bo Simpson-Nealy, who transferred to Florida Atlantic.

2 Days until WCU Football Kickoff - Lex Thomas - Na'koma Simpson-Nealy

                                                          

It's now 2 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 #2 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#2 Lex Thomas

  

Position: Quarterback 

Height: 5-11 

Weight: 205 

Class: Junior 

Hometown: Raleigh, N.C. 

High School: Heritage HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Mid-year transfer from NC State after two seasons in Raleigh … Saw action in four games over two years in Raleigh … Was 7-for-15 for 83 yards, with a touchdown and an interception with the Pack … Totaled 53 yards and a score against Clemson in his first on-field action in 2024 … Saw action in nonconference foe Campbell before recording a pass attempt in bowl game against Memphis; At Heritage HS: Threw for over 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns in two varsity seasons … Ranked as the No. 27 player in the state according to 247Sports. A consensus Top 30 player in the state, according to ESPN, Rivals, On3 and 247Sports … Was listed as a three-star recruit by both Rivals and 247Sports. 

Personal: Is the son of Shelby Thomas and Trevor Thomas... Has two brothers named Thayer and Drake

                                                                      

#2 Na'koma Simpson-Nealy

Position: Safety 

Height: 5-10 

Weight: 175 

Class: Junior 

Hometown: Altamonte Springs, Fla. 

High School: Seminole HS

2025 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 12 of the team’s seasonal games, each coming on special teams and as a defensive reserve … Credited with 13 total tackles, including eight solo stops with his first career interception … Recorded multiple tackles five times … Posted his first career solo tackle in the opener against Gardner-Webb (Aug. 30) … Finished with two tackles three times, at Wake Forest (Sept. 6), against Furman (Oct. 11), and in the finale at VMI (Nov. 22), intercepting his first career pass against the Keydets … Had a career-high three tackles twice in the wins over Samford (Sept. 20) and at Campbell (Sept. 27). 

2024 (Freshman): Appeared in one game as a true freshman, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over VMI (Nov. 16), recording half a tackle for loss for his first career tackle … Credited with seven tackles in WCU’s annual Spring Game. 

Prior to Western Carolina: Played defensive back – safety and corner – as a prep ... Credited with 90 total hits over his final two seasons as a prep with 41 solo stops with a sack and an interception … High school head coach was Karl Calhoun … Will enroll at WCU in the Fall 2024 

Personal: Is the son of Ebony and Na’Koma Simpson … Is the brother of former Catamount, Bo Simpson-Nealy, who transferred to Florida Atlantic.