65 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Austin Grunden

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 65 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #65, since no one is currently assigned to #65, we will highlight someone that could be assigned to #65:

Austin Grunden 

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-2
WEIGHT 250
CLASS Sophomore
HOMETOWN Kannapolis, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL A.L. Brown HS












2020-21 (Freshman): Started the season working with the WCU tight ends before finishing the year working with the offensive line

Prior to Western Carolina: Varsity letter winner where he was a tight end and H-back … Was a team captain as a senior … Caught 16 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown, adding a two-point conversion to his point tally according to MaxPreps … High school coach was Mike Newsome … Also played tennis as a prep

66 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #66 Derek Simmons

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 66 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #66, on the offensive line:

#66 Derek Simmons

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-6
WEIGHT 315
CLASS Redshirt Freshman
HOMETOWN Jacksonville, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL Fletcher HS








Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Abilene Christian where he was on the 2021 roster after beginning his collegiate career at Tusculum in 2020, playing in one game vs. Limestone; 

High School: Lettered in both football and baseball at Fletcher High where he was coached by Kevin Brown ... Was first-team All-District with 43 pancake blocks as a senior.

Personal: Was born in Fredrick, Md.

 

67 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Greg McGruder

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 67 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

No player is currently assigned to #67, so today we'll highlight another assistant coach:

Greg McGruder

TITLE Football Quality Control Coach - Offense














Greg McGruder came to Cullowhee before the 2021 season and was added to the WCU staff as a quality control coach working with the offense. McGruder spent the 2021 season at Tusculum as a graduate assistant aiding with the offense and working primarily with the quarterbacks on the Pioneers' spring 2021 South Atlantic Conference championship squad.

Tusculum averaged 533.4 yards and scored 37.6 points per game on offense in 2021. The Pioneers averaged nearly 400 passing yards per game to lead the SAC, scoring 15 touchdowns through the air in 2021. In addition, the unit added 139.2 yards per game on the ground and 12 additional scores.

McGruder previously served as a student assistant with the Jacksonville football program during the 2015 season. That year, the Dolphins posted a 9-2 record and he helped with an offense that posted 30.5 points per game and generated 400 yards of total offense per contest, led by Bell who was JU's starting signal-caller.

During his prep career at the University Christian High School in Jacksonville, Fla., he was a three-year letterman as a defensive back.

McGruder is a 2016 graduate of the University of North Florida.

68 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Rylan Wells

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 68 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

No player is currently assigned to #68, so today we'll highlight another assistant coach:

Rylan Wells

TITLE Assistant Coach / Tight Ends & Fullbacks / Recruiting Coordinator










Rylan Wells joined the Western Carolina football coaching staff in the spring of 2021 after a year at Tusculum University where he mentored the Pioneers’ running backs as a part of claiming the 2021 spring South Atlantic Conference championship. Wells also served as the video coordinator while at Tusculum. With the Catamounts, Wells will work with the tight ends and fullbacks within the offensive set, while also serving as the program's recruiting coordinator.

In the five-game 2021 spring schedule, Tusculum averaged 37.6 points per game and over 530 yards of offense per game including 139.2 yards per game on the ground. Under Wells’ tutelage, the junior running back tandem of TJ Jones and Maurice Gomillion accounted for 501 rushing yards and nine of the team’s 12 scores on the ground. The duo also recorded 26 receptions for 368 yards in five games, an average of 73.6 receiving yards per game, and amassed 173.8 yards of total offense per game.

Wells earned his start on the coaching staff at his alma mater at Jacksonville University for two seasons (2018-2019) where he was an offensive graduate assistant. With the Dolphins, he coached the offensive tackles in 2018 and the wide receivers in 2019. The 2018 Jacksonville offense ranked third in the nation in rushing, averaging 345.3 yards per game while boasting the nation’s fifth-ranked individual rusher in Calvin Turner, who ran for 1,431 yards in 10 games and posted the nation’s third-best average per game (143.1). Wells additionally served as the film coordinator for JU during the 2019 campaign.

Originally from Tega Cay, S.C., Wells was a member of the Jacksonville football team from 2013-2017 where he started at quarterback for 34 games. He finished his collegiate career ranked among the top-five in Jacksonville history in rushing touchdowns (20), pass completions (257), passing attempts (444), completion percentage, and total offense (5,519 yds).

A 2017 team captain at Jacksonville, Wells started in all 11 games under center, passing for 1,480 yards and 11 touchdowns while also rushing for 472 yards and eight scores. A three-time Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the Week honoree, he was recognized as an Honorable Mention for the STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Week following a performance against Davidson College that included five combined touchdowns and a Dolphins win.

In 2016, he became the first Jacksonville player to lead the Dolphins in both rushing and passing yards in the same season, accumulating 1,744 passing yards and 614 yards on the ground in 10 games. He scored 11 touchdowns each way, he fell one score shy of the program single-game record against Marist, rushing for four in one game.

Wells earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Jacksonville in 2018 and completed his master’s degree in sport management in 2020.

69 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Rudi Small

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 69 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

No player is currently assigned to #69, so today we'll highlight another assistant coach:

Rudi Small

TITLE Assistant Coach / Running Backs











Rudi Small, the all-time leading rusher in Jacksonville University football history, has been tabbed to coach the Catamount running backs, joining the Western Carolina coaching staff in the spring of 2021.

Small earned his coaching start as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2014, parlaying that experience into an assistant coaching position at Valdosta State in 2016. Working alongside his former position coach at Jacksonville – current WCU assistant coach Kerry Webb – Small helped coach the Blazers’ running backs at Valdosta State and was on staff during the 2018 undefeated season and national championship run.

Small led the Dolphins in rushing from 2007-2010 with three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2008 (1,364), 2009 (1,074), and 2010 (1,145) – six of the top 10 individual season records in program history. A Walter Payton Award candidate in 2010, Small finished his career with 4,073 career rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns. He continues to hold the Jacksonville record for all-purpose yards in a career with 5,765, career touchdowns with 49, and career points with 294 scored over his four-year career.

A former Trinity Catholic High product, Small matched a Jacksonville record with five rushing touchdowns against UNC Pembroke on Sept. 22, 2007, a 55-10 home victory for the Dolphins.

Small is a two-time graduate of Jacksonville University, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management in 2012 and his Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Organizational Leadership Learning in 2016.

He and his wife, Evelyn, were married on August 3, 2014.

70 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #70 Christian Coulter

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 70 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #70, on the offensive line:

#70 Christian Coulter

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-5
WEIGHT 335
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Thomson, Ga.

COLLEGE Tusculum 
HIGH SCHOOL Thomson HS

2021 (Sophomore): Each of his six games played were starts along the offensive line ... Made his debut at WCU in the road game at Oklahoma (Sept 11), starting four-straight games until an injury sidelined him for four of the final six games of the regular season.

 
Prior to Western Carolina: Played in 14 games at Tusculum over the past two seasons including 11 starts on the offensive line at right tackle in 2019 … Was selected to the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll... Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

 
High School: Graduated from Thomson (Ga.) HS ... Coached by Michael Youngblood ... Lettered four seasons in volleyball ... 2018 GACA All-State... AAAA-All-Region 3 first team (2017, 2018) ... 2015 & 2016 AAAA 3A Region Champions ... 2016 AAAA State Runner-Up.

Personal: Is the son of Tiffany Neal and Curtis Coulter ... Siblings: Kent Medlock, Kenneth Medlock, Cain Coulter, Chancellor Coulter, Ethan Coulter.

71 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Larry Murphy

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 71 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

No player is currently assigned to #71, so today we'll highlight another assistant coach:

Larry Murphy

TITLE Assistant Coach / Cornerbacks

Larry Murphy joined the Catamount football defensive coaching staff in the spring of 2021 where he will coach the cornerbacks. Murphy came to Cullowhee after two years at Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tenn., where he held a similar role.

In his first season at Tusculum, Murphy mentored a pair of All-South Atlantic Conference (SAC) honorees including Dee Alford and Malik Goodman. Alford also garnered All-Region accolades and later signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. In the abbreviated 2021 season, Murphy helped Tusculum to a 4-1 overall record and dethroned Lenoir-Rhyne by claiming the 2021 SAC Spring Football Championship, the first for the Pioneers since 2008.

Under Murphy’s guidance, Tusculum freshman defensive back Jermaine Witherspoon collected a pair of interceptions including one in the title game, adding a pair of breakups on the spring season.

Originally from St. Petersburg, Fla., Murphy served as the cornerbacks coach at Valdosta State University in 2018 where he helped current Catamount head coach Kerwin Bell guide the Blazers to an undefeated season (14-0) and a NCAA Division II national title. VSU also won the Gulf South Conference crown as the Blazer secondary ranked eighth in the nation in passes intercepted and ninth in red zone defense. VSU led the nation in defensive touchdowns with seven.

Murphy originally signed to play football at Georgia Southern and was out of football until his return to the gridiron in 2014 where he was a three-year starter at Valdosta State (2014-2016) at cornerback. He finished his career with 62 total tackles, 13 passes defended, two interceptions, forced two fumbles and recovered another. He garnered 2014 USA Football All-American honors and was named to the All-Gulf South Conference team that same year.

Murphy is a 2018 graduate of Valdosta State.

72 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #72 Blake Whitmore

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 72 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #72, on the offensive line:

#72 Blake Whitmore

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-2
WEIGHT 285
CLASS Redshirt Junior
HOMETOWN Raleigh, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Millbrook HS







2020-21 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in two games on the season as a reserve along the offensive line and on special teams … Did not record any official statistics ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2019 (Freshman): Played in four games on the season as a reserve along the offensive line and on special teams, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut at home against Gardner-Webb (Oct. 5).

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on … Played center, guard, and long-snapper as a prep … Was named All-Cap-7 Conference along the offensive line as a senior ... High school coach was Clarence Inscore.

Personal: Is the son of Tina and Barry Whitmore.

73 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #73 Samari Saddler

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 73 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #73, on the offensive line:


#73 Samari Saddler

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-2
WEIGHT 295
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Cincinnati, Ohio
HIGH SCHOOL Moeller HS










Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred just before the start of the season from Eastern Michigan where he had joined the team as a walk-on ... Took a redshirt in 2018 and did not play in 2019; 

High School: Earned three varsity letters and led the team as a captain on the offensive line ... Named to the first-team All-GCL team and second -team All-City ... Spent a year at Naval Academy Preparatory School

Personal: Full name is Samari Deshaun Saddler ... Is the son of Roshawna and Sherman Saddler ... Has a brother, Simeon, and a sister Shyra.

74 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #74 Tyler Smith

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 74 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #74, on the offensive line:

#74 Tyler Smith

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-8
WEIGHT 300
CLASS Redshirt Junior
HOMETOWN Laurinburg, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Scotland County HS

2020-21 (Redshirt Sophomore): Started all nine of the team’s seasonal games along the offensive line and on special teams … Started the first two games of the season at right tackle before making seven-straight starts at left tackle.

2019 (Redshirt Freshman): Started all 12 games along the offensive line including nine games at right tackle and three starts at left tackle … Also saw action on special teams … Made his first collegiate start in the season-opener against Mercer (Aug. 31) … Named an honorable mention for the HERO Sports Freshman All-America team following the season.

2018 (Freshman): Played in four games as a reserve along the offensive line where he was a part of the unit that saw QB Tyrie Adams rush for 1,000 yards, giving WCU its fourth-straight 1,000-yard rusher … Also saw action on special teams … Made his collegiate debut at Mercer (Oct. 20) … Joined the Catamount football team in the spring semester, going through WCU's annual Spring Drills along the offensive line.

Prior to Western Carolina: Two-time all-conference selection, earning All-Southeastern 4A Conference (SEC) selection as a junior and an All-Sandhills Athletic Conference (SAC) nod as a senior … Was named to the WPDE End Zone Team and was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas following his senior season while also collecting 910Prep.com All-State accolades … Was additionally named to the 2017 American Family Insurance All-USA North Carolina Football Team.

Personal: Full name is James Tyler Smith … Is the son of Betty Jo and Jamie Smith.

75 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #75 Caleb Carter

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 75 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #75, on the offensive line:

#75 Caleb Carter

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-3
WEIGHT 285
CLASS Redshirt Sophomore
HOMETOWN Jacksonville, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Southwest Onslow HS







2021 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in 10 of the team's 11 games on the year between special teams and as a reserve along the offensive line ... Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 4) 

2020-21 (Freshman): Did not see game action.

Prior to Western Carolina:  A mid-semester enrollee at WCU … Two-year varsity letter winner along both the offensive and defensive line … Played center and offensive guard … Recorded 50 tackles including six tackles for loss and forced a fumble on defense … Collected school Freshman Athlete of the Year accolades and garnered varsity offensive lineman of the year honors as a senior … Also plays basketball as a prep.

76 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #76 Nathan Linkous

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 76 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #76, on the offensive line:

#76 Nathan Linkous

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-5
WEIGHT 295
CLASS Redshirt Freshman
HOMETOWN Cramerton, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Stuart W. Cramer HS






Prior to Western Carolina: Four-year varsity letter winner along the offensive line at guard and tackle … Named third-team All-State by High School OT … Was a three-star recruit from 247Sports … On defense, recorded 38 career tackles over two seasons with 18 solo stops and 4.0 tackles for loss with a sack … High school coach was Ben McMillan.

77 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #77 Neyland Walker

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 77 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #77, on the offensive line:

#77 Neyland Walker

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-5
WEIGHT 285
CLASS Redshirt Freshman
HOMETOWN Canton, N.C.

COLLEGE  Charleston Southern
HIGH SCHOOL Pisgah HS








Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU for the spring semester from Charleston Southern where he signed in the early period in December 2020

High School: Prepped at Pisgah High under head coach – and former Catamount – Brett Chappell …Was a three-year starter along the offensive line and a team captain as a senior … Was a three-star recruit by 247Sports in the 2021 signing class … Also earned all-conference honors in track & field.

Personal: Is the son of Karen and Rick Henson … His Older brother, Kameron Walker, plays football at NC State.

78 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #78 Evan Carney

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 78 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #78, on the offensive line:

#78 Evan Carney

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-3
WEIGHT 290
CLASS True Freshman
HOMETOWN Nashville, Tenn.
HIGH SCHOOL Christ Presbyterian Academy








Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-time first-team all-state and all-region selection, earning first-team plaudits as a senior ... Helped his high school to two state championships as a freshman and junior, and twice a state runner-up finish ... Only allowed one sack as a sophomore and did not allow a sack as a junior … Also played baseball where he was the closer, and participated in track & field as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Evan Nelson Carney ... Is the son of Michelle and John Carney ... Has a younger sister, Leah ... His uncle played football at Chattanooga

79 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #79 Aidan Alston

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 79 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #79, on the offensive line:

#79 Aidan Alston

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-2
WEIGHT 270
CLASS Sophomore
HOMETOWN Southern Pines, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Pinecrest HS






2021 (Redshirt Freshman*): Played in three games along the offensive line with a pair of starts … Made his first career start in the road victory at The Citadel (Oct. 23) while also starting in the road win at VMI (Nov. 20).

2020-21 (Redshirt Freshman): After opening fall 2020 in the defensive line position group, converted to the offensive line in spring 2021 … Played in two games on defense in the fall, making his collegiate debut at Liberty (Nov. 14) … Did not record any statistics.

2019 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Two-year varsity letter winner on the defensive line and as a long snapper … Credited with 59 career tackles with five tackles for loss … Also wrestled as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Aidan Neuman Alston … Is the son of Willow and Anthony Alston.

80 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #80 Shammond Hicks

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 80 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

Today we will highlight #80, a wide receiver:

#80 Shammond Hicks

POSITION Wide Receiver
HEIGHT 5-10
WEIGHT 180
CLASS Grad Transfer
HOMETOWN Raleigh, N.C.
COLLEGE UNCP
HIGH SCHOOL Middle Creek HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Is a graduate transfer from UNC Pembroke where he played in 26 career games from 2017 to 2020 ... Caught 69 career passes for 898 yards and eight touchdowns, catching at least one TD pass per year

2020 (Senior at UNCP): Played in three games with 14 receptions for 161 yards and a career-best four touchdowns

2019 (Junior at UNCP): Played in four games … Caught 12 passes for 98 yards (8.2 yards/catch) and one touchdown. Gave UNCP the lead for good with a 14-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter against Winston-Salem State ... Posted season-highs in both receptions (5) and receiving yards (67) against Virginia State.

2018 (Sophomore at UNCP): Played in 10 games … Caught 31 passes for a team-best 463 yards (14.9 yards/catch) and two touchdowns … Logged two or more receptions in nine games.

2017 (Freshman at UNCP): Played in nine games … Caught 12 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown … Also ran for 22 yards on two carries … Made multiple receptions in three games, including a season-best four receptions for 31 yards against Catawba … Hauled in three catches for 24 yards in the season opener with Winston-Salem State.

High School: Prepped at Middle Creek High School for coach Randy Ragland … Earned all-conference honors as a senior after hauling in 31 catches for 718 yards and 13 touchdowns … Tallied 15 catches for 348 yards and five touchdowns as a junior … Also lettered in basketball for the Mustangs.

Personal: Is the son of Cassandra and Reginald Hicks … Has an older brother, Maurice, and two younger brothers, Sean and Seth.

81 days to WCU Football Kickoff - JJ Laster

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 81 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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

No player is currently assigned to #81, so today we'll highlight another assistant coach:

JJ Laster

TITLE Assistant Coach / Wide Receivers












JJ Laster joined the Western Carolina football offensive coaching staff in the spring of 2021, coaching the Catamount wide receivers. He comes to Cullowhee after spending the 2019 season at Gardner-Webb where he coached the running backs and tight ends, while also overseeing the return teams for special teams.

While in Boiling Springs, Laster mentored a trio of All-Big South Conference selections in the three areas he coached. GWU running back Jaylin Cagle earned second-team All-Big South honors after rushing for 930 yards and eight touchdowns with four 100-yard rushing games in 2019, while tight end AJ Alexander was also a second-team selection, hauling in a career-high 16 passes for 155 yards and a TD. Devron Harper collected first-team All-Big South honors while also finishing as the runner-up for the conference’s freshman of the year accolade in addition to collecting first-team FCS Freshman All-America plaudits. Harper finished with 1,600 all-purpose yards in 2019 including 928 return yards that featured a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against FBS-foe, Charlotte.

Prior to Gardner-Webb, Laster spent three seasons coaching football at Tusculum University, first working with the Pioneers' running backs for two seasons and most recently the wide receivers for a year while also serving as the team's recruiting coordinator.

Laster had a distinguished playing career at Jacksonville University, where he was a two-time All-Pioneer Football League (PFL) selection and helped the Dolphins to conference championships in 2008 and 2010.

In 40 career games as a running back with the Dolphins from 2008 to 2011, Laster rushed for 1,796 yards on 343 carries (5.2 yards per carry) with 19 touchdowns while adding 67 receptions for 606 yards and two scores. Laster led FCS with 8.5 yards per rush in 2010 as he gained a career-best 810 yards on 95 carries with seven touchdowns to earn first-team all-PFL honors. As a senior, he had 610 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns while catching 41 passes for 317 yards and one score and was named second-team All-PFL.

After his playing career ended, Laster began his coaching career as a running backs coach at Allen D. Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., before returning to Jacksonville in 2014-15 as a graduate assistant coach working on the defensive side of the ball with the linebackers. In two seasons, Laster helped the Dolphins develop six All-PFL selections while assisting in developing the defensive game plan.

Laster's experience also includes serving as the running backs coach at Rockledge High School in Brevard County, Fla., where he oversaw the summer speed and conditioning workout program and helped with all other aspects of the offseason program.

Jesse James Laster, Jr. is a native of Graceville, Fla., where he set the school career rushing record at Graceville High before attending Jacksonville University. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in geography from Jacksonville in 2012 and a master of education in leadership and learning in 2015.

He and his wife Rodricka Laster have a son, Jesse James Laster III (Third).