We now know that Western will play both Liberty and Eastern Kentucky in November. Since Gardner-Webb has decided not to play in the fall, we are not sure if we will have a third game, but we will post it if one is announced.
We will continue our countdown as if the season were to start on September 3rd.
Today, we'll highlight a wide receiver:
#3 D. J. Thorpe
WEIGHT 195
CLASS Redshirt Junior
HOMETOWN Nashville, Tenn.
HIGH SCHOOL Cane Ridge HSbr />
2019 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 10 of the team’s 12 games on the year, making seven starts at wide receiver … Missed the final two games of the season due to injury … Finished the season with 24 catches for 302 yards and his first career receiving touchdown on a 13-yard scoring strike at VMI (Nov. 2) … Caught a career-high six passes for a career-best 130 yards in the season-opener against Mercer (Aug. 31) … Finished with four catches for 41 yards against Gardner-Webb (Oct. 5) and four receptions for 39 yards against Furman (Oct. 26) … Also credited with two tackles on the season and recovered a fumble at VMI.
2018 (Redshirt Freshman): Converted to wide receiver during the off-season … Saw action in nine of the team’s 11 games at receiver and on special teams … Finished with six receptions for 55 yards including a long of 24 yards … Made his collegiate debut against Newberry (Sept. 1) in the season-opener … Caught a career-best two passes twice at Samford (Oct. 6) and Wofford (Nov. 10) … Caught his career-long reception of 24 yards in his lone catch at North Carolina (Nov. 17).
2017 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt.
Prior to Western Carolina: In two seasons as the starting quarterback, threw for 4,980 yards and 47 touchdowns in leading Cane Ridge High to a 20-4 record ... As a senior, completed 185-of-297 passes for a school single-season record 2,907 yards, setting a school benchmark with 28 touchdowns against seven interceptions, leading CRHS to an undefeated regular season, a Region 6-5A title and the program's first two playoff victories ... Collected Region 6-5A Offensive MVP plaudits, as well as all-region offensive player of the year honors ... Became the first player in CRHS history to receive the 2016 William E. Hume Award which is given annually to the top football player among Metro Nashville schools ... Also received the Hancock/Nipper football sportsmanship award from the Nashville City Civitan Club ... Was listed as a two-star athlete by 247Sports.com ... High school head coach was Eddie Woods.
Personal: Full name is Dakarai Jashaun Thorpe, but goes by "DJ" ... Is the son of Kalvanetta and William Thorpe ... Has a younger sister, Laiya.
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