15 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #15 Michael Davis Jr. & Hank Bodine

                                                          

It's now 15 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 #15 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#15 Michael Davis Jr.

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Leesville, La.
High School: Leesville HS

Personal: Is the son of Martina Davis and Michael Davis Sr. ... Nickname is Mikey

                                                                             

#15 Hank Bodine

Position: Linebacker

Height: 6-0
Weight: 230
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Velva, N.D.
High School: Velva DAG HS

2025 (Freshman): Saw action in all 12 of the team’s games as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with 16 total tackles, including seven solo stops and one tackle for loss … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Gardner-Webb (Aug. 30), recording his first career tackle against the Runnin’ Bulldogs … Posted three tackles both at Wake Forest (Sept. 6) and in the home win over Samford (Sept. 20) … Had a tackle for loss for his lone stop against Elon (Sept. 13) … Recorded a career-high five tackles in the home victory over Furman (Oct. 11).

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a four-time All-State selection in football, and was part of two state championship teams ... Four-year starting linebacker and running back ... Recorded 406 career tackles, leading his team all four seasons ... Rushed for 2,624 yards and totaled 1,025 receiving yards as a prep ... Was a part of the Class A state championship team where he played running back and linebacker for coach Matt Weidler … Named NDHSCA Class 11A first-team All-State at linebacker, his second all-state selection … Also played baseball, basketball golf, and track as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Kerry Wyche and Tom Bodine, who played football at Western Carolina and the school’s all-time leading tackler with 453 tackles and was a 2010 inductee into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame ... His uncle, Rob Bodine, played football at Clemson where he was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 2009 ... Is the grandson of Sam Wyche, who played at Furman and the NFL, while also coaching in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers... has two sisters named Ryan and Caroline Bodine

16 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #16 Caleb Tucker & Chase Kerns

                                                          

It's now 16 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 #16 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#16 Caleb Tucker

Position Quarterback
Height 6-2
Weight 200
Class Freshman
Hometown Woodbridge, Va.
High School Woodbridge HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Named both District and Region Player of the Year, as well as first-team All-District and All-Region at quarterback … Finished his senior season 236-for-356 passing for 3,470 yards with 52 touchdowns … Amassed 3,560 yards of total offense.

Personal: Is the son of Paige Tucker and Tim Tucker... has a brother named Cody Tucker

                                                                             

#16 Chase Kerns

Position Defensive Line
Height 6-1
Weight 280
Class Junior
Hometown Decatur, Ga.
High School Cedar Grove HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Georgia Military, after starting his collegiate career at Iowa Western Community College where he redshirted in 2024; At GMC: Credited with 26 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss with five sacks last season.

Personal: Is the son of Shana Kerns and the grandson of James Kerns... Has two brothers named Jamal and Jemel Kerns

17 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - #17 Patrick Harding & Ja’Torian Mack

                                                          

It's now 17 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 #17 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:

#17 Patrick Harding

Position: Quarterback

Height: 6-3
Weight: 190
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Zephyrhills, Fla.
High School: Zephyrhills HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Threw for 2,543 yards and 33 touchdowns in 12 games as a prep senior, averaging nearly 214 yards through the air per game ... Completed 141-of-207 passes ... Added 329 rushing yards and six rushing TDs ... Earned first-team All-County and All-District honors against stout competition in Florida ... Passed for a school record 416 yards in a game.

Personal: Is the son of Timothy Harding and Jennifer Harding... has six siblings named Jonathan, Richard, Luke, Wallace, Jenny Kate, and Stasia

                                                                             

#17 Ja’Torian Mack

Position: Safety
Height: 5-11
Weight: 185
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Eatonville, Fla.
High School: Edgewater HS

College:  Appalachian State

Prior to Western Carolina: Mid-year transfer from Appalachian State … Goes by "Duke" Mack ... Saw action in four games as a freshman at App State … Did not record statistics over four games; At Edgewater HS: Over his final three seasons, tallied 135 tackles, 17 passes defensed, five fumbles forced and recovered and five TFLs … Was a 3-star recruit according to both Rivals and 247Sports.com.

Personal: Nickname: Duke... Is the son of Jwaya Mack and Tarus Mack and the grandson of Danita Brazil... has two brothers named Josiah and Joshua Mack

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.