2014 WCU Football Prospect - Tyler Newhouse

Tyler Newhouse

Position: Offensive center
Hometown: Wake Forest, North Carolina
High School: Wake Forest-Rolesville
Height:  6'2"
Weight: 261 lbs
Class: 2014 (High School)



Newhouse has received interest from a number of schools including Western Carolina, Appalachian State, Charlotte, Cornell, Elon, Kent State, Navy, and Wofford.

No offers at this time from WCU or the other schools named.

Video Highlights here






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90 days 'till kickoff - Kelvin Ume

It's now 90 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. - No current football player is assigned to #90, so we'll highlight one of our incoming freshmen - we'll continue with the Defensive Line

 Kelvin Ume

Class: Freshman

Hometown: Acworth, GA

High School: North Cobb HS

Height / Weight: 6-3 / 260 lbs.

Position: DL



Prior to Western Carolina: Split time along the defensive line as a defensive end and tackle ... Came to the United States from Nigeria in the early 2000's and did not play football until his freshman year of high school in Ohio ... Finished with 85 tackles as a senior, leading the North Cobb Warriors to an 11-3 season and berth in the Class AAAAA state semifinals ... Posted a 16-tackle game in a win over Valdosta, helping limit the opposing offense to just 22 rushing yards ... Was an honorable mention on the All-County team and was selected to the Cobb County All-Star Senior Bowl.

Personal: Full name is Chibuzor Kelvin Ume ... Is the son of Chi-Chi Ume-Love ... Has a brother, Kenny. 

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

SoCon Adds ETSU, Mercer and VMI

"East Tennessee State University, Mercer University and the Virginia Military Institute have been extended invitations to join the Southern Conference beginning July 1, 2014, SoCon Commissioner John Iamarino announced from the league’s spring meetings Thursday."

"ETSU and Mercer have accepted the invitations to join the conference next year, while VMI is expected to formally ratify joining the league Friday when its Board of Visitors meets. ETSU and Mercer currently compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, while VMI is in the Big South Conference."

"ETSU and VMI are former SoCon members. VMI departed the league in 2003, while ETSU’s final season in the conference was 2004-05."

“The addition of these three institutions will solidify the Southern Conference and ensure our position as a vibrant league with a bright future,” Iamarino said. “We are delighted to invite three quality institutions, two of which are returning to a home they previously enjoyed for many years.

“Our membership is excited about rekindling old rivalries and establishing new ones. Most importantly, we've been able to grow while not extending our geographic footprint to an extreme extent.”

Courtesy SoConSports.com

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91 days 'till kickoff - #91 Brian Johnson

It's now 91 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. 

Today, we'll continue with the Defensive Line. 

#91 Brian Johnson

Class: RS Senior
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Myers Park HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 250
Position: DL




2012 (Redshirt Junior): One of just four players to start all 11 games, and one of three to do so along the defensive line ... Finished the season with 36 total tackles, the most among WCU's defensive linemen ... Tallied 17 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss ... Recorded a career-high eight tackles against nationally-ranked Georgia Southern ... Credited with three quarterback hurries and a pass break-up.

2011 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 10 of the 11 games making eight starts at defensive end ... Missed the Georgia Southern game due to a mandatory suspension after being ejected early in the second quarter of the Mars Hill game ... Finished with 29 tackles including 13 solo stops and 7.5 tackles for loss - a mark that ranked him second on the squad - and 1.5 sacks, third on the squad ... Forced two fumbles including one against Mars Hill and one in the season finale against Coastal Carolina ... Credited with three quarterback hurries on the year ... Matched his career-high with six tackles against Furman ... Set a career benchmark with four solo stops including for loss at Samford, adding two TFLs at nationally-ranked Appalachian State matching a career high ... Was injured with a concussion late in 2012 spring drills, missing WCU's annual Spring Game.

2010 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 games on the season making two starts including his first-ever appearance in the season opener at North Carolina State ... Finished with 28 tackles including 12 solo stops and four tackles behind the line of scrimmage ... Recorded two sacks including one against Tusculum and one at Elon ... Credited with five quarterback hurries and one pass break-up from his defensive end position ... Had a strong showing in the final practice of the 2010 spring drills, halting a would-be drive by the offensive unit with a TFL.

2009 (Freshman): Redshirted ... In WCU's annual Spring Game, recorded a quarterback sack for a safety.

Prior to Western: Was a two-time All-Southwestern 4-A Conference selection for head coach Jim Ruark at Myers Park HS ... Listed as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com ... Amassed 33 tackles for loss, including 16 sacks, in his final two seasons as a prep ... Posted 21 TFLs and 11 sacks as a senior earning All-Mecklenburg County plaudits ... Added 33 career quarterback hurries, in addition to recovering five fumbles, forcing a pair of fumbles and blocking three field goals ... Named Most Improved defensive player following his junior season.

Personal: Full name is Brian Christopher Johnson ... Is the son of Brian Christopher Johnson and Elizabeth Johnson ... Has two siblings, Olivia and Austin.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

Catamounts Playing Summer League Basebal

Catamounts Playing Summer League Baseball:

Catamount Baseball Home

Name	Team Name	Summer League Name	Web Site
#1 Bradley Strong	Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox	Cape Cod League	Red Sox Web Site
#2 Aaron Attaway	San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Blues	California Collegiate League	Blues Web Site
#3 J.D. Long	Winchester (Va.) Royals	Valley League	Royals Web Site
#5 Luke Gragg	Winchester (Va.) Royals	Valley League	Royals Web Site
#6 Bryce Danielson	Waynesboro (Va.) Generals	Valley League	Generals Web Site
#8 Dale Urquhart Jr.	Waynesboro (Va.) Generals	Valley League	Generals Web Site
#11 Adam Martin	St. Cloud (Minn.) Rox	Northwoods League	Rox Web Site
#12 Cody Jones	San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Blues	California Collegiate League	Blues Web Site
#14 Dykota Spiess	Thomasville Hi-Toms	Coastal Plain League	Hi-Toms Web Site
#16 Colton Davis	Forest City Owls	Coastal Plain League	Owls Web Site
#17 William Frazier	Lake Norman Copperheads	Southern Collegiate League	Copperheads Web Site
#18 Reece Strong	Kernersville Bulldogs	Carolina-Virginia Collegiate League	Bulldogs Web Site
#19 Danny Schneider	Lake Norman Copperheads	Southern Collegiate League	Copperheads Web Site
#21 Danny Bermudez	Forest City Owls	Coastal Plain League	Owls Web Site
#26 Tyler Powell	San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Blues	California Collegiate League	Blues Web Site
#27 Jacob Hoyle	Morehead City Marlins	Coastal Plain League	Marlins Web Site
#29 Thomas Young	Waynesboro (Va.) Generals	Valley League	Generals Web Site
#36 Alex Barr	Kernersville Bulldogs	Carolina-Virginia Collegiate League	Bulldogs Web Site
#45 Taylor Sandefur	Waynesboro (Va.) Generals	Valley League	Generals Web Site
#46 Jeremy Null	Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox	Cape Cod League	Red Sox Web Site
#47 Jonathan Waszak	Winchester (Va.) Royals	Valley League	Royals Web Site

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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92 days 'till kickoff - #92 Blake Metcalf

It's now 92 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff.

#92 Blake Metcalf 

Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Asheville, N.C.
High School: A.C. Reynolds HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 170
Position: P/K 




Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-time all-conference and All-Western North Carolina selection as a kicker ... Booted a career-long field goal of 45 yards during his senior season, surpassing his previous long of 37 set during his junior season ... Set the record for touchbacks on kickoffs in consecutive seasons in his final two years as a prep. Personal: Full name is Randall Blake Metcalf ... Is the son of Randy and Robbie Metcalf ... Has three older siblings; Landon, Justin and Alyssa.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations


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93 days 'till kickoff - #93 Caleb Hawkins

It's now 93 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. 

#93 Caleb Hawkins



Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Durham, N.C.
High School: Northern Durham HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 220
Position: DL



2012 (Freshman): Started the first five games of his collegiate career before coming in as a reserve along the defensive line the final five games, playing in 10 of the 11 seasonal games ... Recorded 22 tackles including 14 solo stops including 2.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss ... Tallied a career-high six tackles - all solo hits - at nationally-ranked Wofford ... Credited with two quarterback hurries and recovered a fumble forced by classmate Sertonuse Harris in the end zone for a touchdown against Samford.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named the Defensive Lineman of the Year in the PAC-6 Conference as a senior... Was additionally named to the All-PAC 6 post-season honorary squad at defensive end ... Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Caleb Xavier Akinseye Hawkins ... Is the son of William Peebles and Moya Hawkins.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations


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94 Days 'till Kickoff - #94 John McBeth

It's now 94 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. 

#94 John McBeth





Class: Sophomore

Hometown: Greensboro, N.C. 

High School: Northern Guilford HS

Height / Weight: 6-2 / 220

Position: DL

2012 Freshman:  Played in all 11 games.  Completed 12 solo tackles, and had 10 assists.  

Prior to Western Carolina: Helped guide Northern Guilford to a both a Mid-State 3-A Conference championship and North Carolina 3-AA state championship as a senior, boasting a 14-1 record ... Northern Guilford won the title game, 31-6, over Crest HS ... Finished with 99 total hits including 71 solo stops and 12 sacks ... Also broke up two passes, forced and recovered three fumbles for 25 yards of return while blocking three kicks including two field goals and a punt ... Named All-Mid-State 3-A Conference as well as to the first team All-Area defense by the Greensboro News & Record ... Also played basketball as a prep where he was selected to participate in the Carolina Challenge.

Personal: Full name is John Christopher McBeth ... Is the son of Lynette McBeth.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations


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2014 WCU Football Prospect - R.J. Tyler

R.J. Tyler
Position: Tight End
Hometown: Wagner, Sc
High School:  Wagener-Salley HS
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 230
Class:  2014

Rivals 2 star rating

Has offers from Western Carolina, Wofford, SC State, & App State

R.J. Tyler, son of former SC State and NFL TE Robert Tyler, is hearing from a number of schools according to his coach Kenneth Tucker. Tucker said Tyler is an excellent blocker and is asked to do a lot of blocking in their run oriented offense. Tyler did have 20 catches and 6 touchdowns last season.

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95 Days 'till Kickoff - Tahjai Watt

It's now 95 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. 

- No current football player is assigned to #95, so we'll highlight one of our incoming freshmen - 

Tahjai Watt





Class: Freshman

Hometown: Huntersville, N.C

High School: North Mecklenburg HS

Height / Weight: 6-5 - 210 lbs

Position: DL

Prior to Western Carolina: Two-time All-I-Meck Conference selection who was a conference player of the year finalist as a senior ... Played both ways as a defensive end and a tight end on offense ... Also played power forward on the basketball court as a prep earning all-conference accolades.

Personal: Full name Tahjai Henri Watt ... Is the son of Todd Lynch and Constance Watt, both of whom played sports in college ... Has one sibling, Eric Lynch.


Courtesy WCU Media Relations


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Lets not forget why we celebrate Memorial Day

...to our veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for us to live free, We say, "Thank You"

96 Days 'till Kickoff - Avery Worsham

It's now 96 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown. 

- No current football player is assigned to #96, so we'll highlight one of our incoming freshmen - 

Avery Worsham

 
pic not available 



Class: Freshman

Hometown: Indian Train, NC

High School: Porter Ridge H S

Height / Weight: 6-1 / 205

Position: DL

Prior to Western Carolina: Helped guide Porter Ridge High to the NCHSAA football finals two-straight seasons as the Western Region champion ... Playing as a defensive end, recorded 90 total tackles including 20 for loss as a senior as a part of earning the Southern Carolina Conference Defensive Player of the Year accolades ... Credited with 10 quarterback sacks, 21 QB hurries, four fumble recoveries including one for a touchdown and one interception ... Was selected to the first team defense on the Charlotte Observer All-Area team ... Had 68 total tackles as a junior with 10.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries.

Personal: Full name is Avery Maurice Worsham ... Is the son of Antonio and Latonja Worsham ... Has an older sister, Kayla, who serves in the United States Army.


Courtesy WCU Media Relations

2014 Football Prospect - Ikeem Allen

Ikeem Allen
Position: Defensive Tackle
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
High School: Mallard Creek
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 296
Class: 2014


Has offers from WCU, Ball State, the Citadel, & Northern Iowa

 

97 Days 'till Kickoff - #97 Andre Shishkin

It's now 97 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, TN. 

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown. 

#97 Andre Shishkin





Class: Senior

Hometown: Izehusk, Russia

High School: Novato HS

Last College: Santa Rosa College

Height / Weight: 6-3 / 280

Position: DL

2011 (Junior): Started all 11 games along the defensive front, one of just three players to start every game on the season ... Finished sixth on the team with 51 total tackles including 18 solo stops - tops among WCU's defensive linemen ... Led the team with 8.5 tackles for loss including 2.5 tackles for loss ... Recorded at least two tackles in every game ... Posted eight stops in his WCU debut at Georgia Tech, earning the first of two team defensive player of the week honors ... Earned his second weekly team honor after posting a career-high three TFLs in the home-opener against Mars Hill as a part of a five tackle performance ... Tallied a career-high nine tackles against Furman, also blocking a PAT attempt in the second quarter against the Paladins ... Credited with one pass break-up ... Suffered a knee injury late in 2012 spring drills that sidelined him for WCU's annual Spring Game. 

Prior to Western Carolina: Accounted for 52 tackles including 12 for loss and nine sacks in two seasons at Santa Rosa ... Recovered a fumble during his freshman season ... Also during his rookie year, set the SRJC defensive line vertical and shuttle run records; Attended Novato HS in Novato, Calif.

Personal: Is the son of Sirgay Shishkin, who lives in Russia, and Elena [/b]Shishkin who resides in Petaluma, Calif. ... Has an older sister, Jenny.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

98 Days 'till Kickoff - #98 Keensen Chambers

It's now 98 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, TN. 

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff. 

#98 Keensen Chambers





Class: RS Junior

Hometown: Greenville, S.C.

High School: Worchester (Mass.) Academy

Last College: Tennessee

Height / Weight: 6-5 / 250

Position: DL

2012 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 10 of team's 11 games on the year, making his first start for the Purple & Gold along the defensive line against nationally-ranked Georgia Southern ... Missed the regular season meeting at The Citadel ... Recorded 19 tackles including two solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss including half a quarterback sack ... Posted his career-high with six tackles at Furman including five tackle assists.

Prior to Western Carolina: Initially enrolled at Connecticut in January of 2009, but made the decision to transfer ... Redshirted a season at Tennessee due to transfer rules; High School: Played as a senior at Worcester Academy in Worcester, Mass. ... Was a New England Prep School Athletic Conference All-Star in 2008 ... At Southside High, was an all-county pick in 2007, finishing with 95 tackles including 18 TFLs and 10 sacks ... Was a two-time all-region pick ... Played basketball as team won Class AA State Championship in 2007 where he was named to all-tournament team ... Was awarded a Pepsi-Greenville County Schools Golf Tournament Scholarship following his senior year for community involvement ... Named to The National Society of High School Scholars ... Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Oliver Jr. and Brenda Chambers ... Has a sister, Keela P.L. Chambers.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations


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SoCon Tournament - Day 2, vs. The Citadel

The Citadel Bulldogs
Location: Location: Flour Field, Greenville, SC
Date:  Tuesday, May 23, 2013
Time: TBA (depends on outcome of Furman game)
Series:  Catamounts own a 77-60 record against the Bulldogs
Radio:  Catamount Sports Network
Live Stats:  SoCon Live Stats
Live Video:  SoCon TV  (free)
The Citadel's Current Record: 33-24, 18-12 SoCon





Winners of opening day games, the number 1 seed Catamounts take on the number 4 seed, Citadel Bulldogs in the winners bracket  in the 2013 SoCon Baseball Tournament. The two winningest baseball programs in Southern Conference history, with a combined 17 tournament titles apiece are scheduled to play at 5:00 pm.

The Bulldogs won their game by virtue of a walk off home run by Joe Jackson, beating the number 5 seed, Appalachian State Mountaineers, 6-5 in Wednesday's opening game of the tournament.

The Bulldogs are 6-7 in their last 13 games, having dropped two games each in their series with both Davidson and UNCG.


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Cats win game #1 over Samford

Top-seeded Western Carolina slammed five home runs on the way to a 13-7 win over the Samford Bulldogs in the first round of the Southern Conference Tournament Wednesday afternoon at Fluor Field. 

With the win, the Cats improved to 39-17 on the season. The Catamounts will now play the winner of Wednesday's game #1, the fourth seeded the Citadel on Thursday evening (either 5 or 8:30 depending on the outcome of the Furman game).

Jeremy Null (9-2) pitched 7 complete innings for the Cats, giving up only three runs, on eight hits to earn the victory for the Catamounts. Relief pitchers Jonathan Waszak and Tyler Powell combined to pitch the final two innings to close the game for the regular season champion Catamounts.

Aaron Attaway went 4-for-5 with a home run and  batted in three RBIs, Tyler White hit two home runs and earned four RBIs.  Julian Ridings went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, along with Adam Martin's 2-for-5, a home run and three RBIs.

With today's 5 home-runs, the Catamounts took the lead nationally in home runs in the season.

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WCU SoCon Baseball Tournament Preview

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

99 Days 'till Kickoff - #99 Pete Balthrop, Jr.

It's now 99 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, TN. 

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff. 

#99 - Pete Balthrop, Jr.





Class: Senior

Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C.

High School: West Forsyth HS

Height / Weight: 6-0 / 260

Position: DL

2012 (Junior): Played in all 11 of the team's games, all coming as a reserve ... Finished with 31 total tackles including eight solo stops ... His 31 tackles ranked second among WCU's defensive line ... Recorded a tackle in 10 of the 11 games on the season ... Credited with a career-high nine tackles including three solo hits against nationally-ranked Georgia Southern, also blocking a kick against the Eagles ... Both forced and recovered a fumble at Elon.

2011 (Sophomore): Played in 10 of WCU's 11 games on the season, all as a substitution along the defensive front ... Finished with 20 tackles including five solo stops, tallying stops in all but one game played ... Recorded a career-high five tackles against nationally-ranked Wofford, closing the final three games of the year with 12 total stops ... Credited with six tackles in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2010 (Freshman): Appeared in nine games on the season as a defensive substitution along the defensive front ... Finished with seven total tackles on the year ... Recorded a career-best three tackles - all assisted - against Georgia Southern.

Prior to Western: Was a four-year letter winner at West Forsyth High for head coach Adrian Snow, twice earning All-City and All-County honors ... Accumulated 527 career tackles including 363 solo stops and four sacks ... Posted a career-best 156 tackles as a junior ... Recorded four career interceptions ... Was named All-Northwest and All-Central Piedmont 4-A Conference ... Helped WFHS post a 35-11 combined record during his four-year prep career ... In addition to football, was the 2008 track & field MVP and won the Central Piedmont 4-A Conference shot put.

Personal: Is the son of Peter, Sr., and Donna Balthrop ... Was born in Macon, Ga. ... Has two siblings, Erica and Raven.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations