3 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Jacob Harris & Calvin Jones

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

It's now 3 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 two players assigned to #3, one offense, one defense, a wide receiver and a defensive safety:

#3 Jacob Harris

POSITION Safety
HEIGHT 6-1
WEIGHT 195
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Greer, S.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Greer HS






2022 (Junior): Was named to the fourth-team preseason All-Southern Conference by Phil Steele.

2021 (Sophomore): Saw action in 10 of the team's 11 games on the season with 10 starts in the defensive secondary ... Finished second on the team with 74 total tackles including 37 solo stops and 37 assists with one tackle for loss ... Had at least one stop in each game played with five-or-more tackles in nine of the 10 outings ... Credited with three pass break-ups ... Intercepted a pass against Furman (Nov. 6) for a second-consecutive season, returning the pick 41 yards for a touchdown early in the first quarter of WCU's 43-42 win to go along with 11 tackles ... Recorded a career-high 13 total tackles against ETSU (Nov. 13) with three solo stops and 10 assists with half a tackle for loss.

2020-21 (Sophomore): Played in seven of the team’s nine games, each in the starting role in the defensive secondary … Finished the season with 34 tackles including 13 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss with a sack … Credited with two pass break-ups with an interception … Made his WCU debut, recording nine tackles including half a stop for loss at Liberty (Nov. 14) … Recorded a season-high 10 tackles with a sack at Furman (Feb. 20), intercepting a pass with a 46-yard return against the Paladins… Had five stops at Samford (Feb. 27) and at ETSU (March 27) ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played in four games with 12 tackles including a TFL at Independence CC in the 2018 season ... High School: Selected as a All-Upstate, North-South All-Star and was All-Region 2-AAAA selection as a senior in 2017 after recording 126 tackles and five interceptions ... Was originally recruited by Appalachian State and Miami (OH) ... Was listed as a two-star prospect out of high school by both 247Sports and Rivals.com ... Also ran track as a prep.


#3 Calvin Jones

POSITION Wide Receiver
HEIGHT 5-10
WEIGHT 190
CLASS Sophomore
HOMETOWN Forest City, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL East Rutherford HS







2022 (Sophomore): Was a second-team preseason All-Southern Conference selection at return specialist by the league's head coaches ... Named a third-team Preseason All-America selection by both Stats Perform FCS and Phil Steele as a kick returner ... Was additionally a first-team All-SoCon selection at WR and kick returner by Phil Steele.

2021 (Freshman): Played in all 11 of the team's games with 10 starts at wide receiver ... Finished third on the team in receptions with 38 catches and was second in both receiving yards with 651 and receiving touchdowns with four ... Ranked seventh in the SoCon with a 57.9 receiving yards per game average ... Added 13 rushing yards and 590 yards with a TD on kickoff returns to amass 1,254 all-purpose yards .. Led the SoCon in kick return average at 31.1 yards per return and was fifth in the league in all-purpose yards, averaging 112.7 yards per game ... Had 100-or-more all-purpose yards five times ... Caught at least one pass in each game played including a career-high 10 for 195 yards and a score at VMI (Nov. 20) ... Finished with 30 total points on five touchdowns - four receptions and a career-long 95-yard kickoff return against ETSU (Nov. 13), where he recorded a career-high 305 all-purpose yards ... Earned SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week (Nov. 15) plaudts after his career day against ETSU ... Added five total tackles on special teams ... Collected second-team All-Southern Conference honors from the SoCon Sports Media Association as a return specialist ... Was a Freshman All-America at return specialist by HERO Sports ... Was named fourth-team All-America selection by Phil Steele and was dubbed FCS Freshman All-America first-team as a kick returner a
nd third-team as a wide receiver by Phil Steele.

2020-21 (Freshman): Played in all nine games on the season with three starts at wide receiver … Led the team with 24 receptions and 198 receiving yards, catching one touchdown pass … Returned seven kickoffs for 147 yards including a long of 44 yards, and returned one punt for 12 yards … Made his collegiate debut at Liberty (Nov. 14), recording a rush, a reception, and a kickoff return … Caught a season-best seven passes for 62 yards and his first career touchdown at Samford (Feb. 27) … Hauled in a two-yard TD reception against the Bulldogs … Amassed a season-high 159 all-purpose yards at Mercer (March 20) including five catches for 45 yards, one rush for 14 yards, three kickoff returns for 88 yards and a 12-yard punt return.

Prior to Western Carolina: Four-year varsity letter winner who rushed for 2,437 career yards and 30 touchdowns while also hauling in 71 passes for 1,428 career receiving yards … Finished his prep career with 5,320 all-purpose yards … Listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … Amassed 542 all-purpose yards – 346 rushing, 111 receiving, 60 punt return and 25-yard passing – and scored eight touchdowns – rushing, receiving, passing, and on a punt return – in his final high school game … Earned both News 13 WLOS Player of the Week and Player of the Week honors from The Daily Courier … As a junior in 2018, rushed for 683 yards and 10 TDs while catching 16 passes for 308 yards and two TDs as a part of 1,259 all-purpose yards … Defensively, had 77 tackles including 11 for loss and eight interceptions, scoring a pair of defensive touchdowns … High school coach was Clint Bland … Also ran track and wrestled as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Calvin Malik Jones, prefers to go by Cal … Is the son of Aqueesha Mapp.

4 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Kason Lincke & CJ Williams

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

It's now 4 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 two players assigned to #4, one offense, one defense, a quarterback and a defensive cornerback:

#4 Kason Lincke

POSITION Quarterback
HEIGHT 6-0
WEIGHT 200
CLASS Redshirt Freshman
HOMETOWN Mobile, Ala.
HIGH SCHOOL Mobile Christian HS






2021 (Freshman): Saw action in one game on the season at Chattanooga (Oct. 2) ... Did not record any official statistics, remaining eligible for a redshirt ... Finished 5-of-8 passing for 112 yards and a 31-yard touchdown pass to Toler Keigley in WCU's annual Spring Showcase.

2020-21 (Freshman): Played in one game on the season, making his collegiate debut at North Carolina (Dec. 5) … Rushed for 17 yards on eight carries including a long of nine yards … Completed all three of his pass attempts for 21 yards including a long of 12 yards … Finished with 38 yards of total offense at UNC ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Dual-threat quarterback, three-year varsity letter winner … Played three years at Pace High in Florida before transferring to Mobile Christian as a senior … Threw for over 5,969 yards with 57 passing touchdowns adding 2,348 rushing yards and 21 TDs on the ground … Threw for over 1,100 yards in each season as a prep … As a senior, accounted for over 3,120 yards including 2,112 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and 1,008 yards on the ground for the Alabama state runner-up … High school coach at Mobile Christian was Ronnie Cottrell.

Personal: Full name is Kason Shane Lincke … Is the son of Beverly and Shane Lincke … Has a sister, Kailey.


#4 CJ Williams

POSITION Cornerback
HEIGHT 5-10
WEIGHT 170
CLASS Sophomore
HOMETOWN Gallion, Ala.
COLLEGE Alabama
HIGH SCHOOL Demopolis HS





2022 (Redshirt Sophomore): Converted to defensive back during the offseason entering 2022 camp.

2021 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in nine of the team's 11 games with a pair of starts at wide receiver ... Finished with four receptions for 80 yards, adding one rush for a four-yard gain for 84 all-purpose yards on the season ... Made his WCU debut against Eastern Kentucky (Sept 4), rushing ones and hauling in a fourth-quarter pass on a two-point conversion ... Caught a season-best two passes for 28 yards at Oklahoma (Sept. 11) ... Recorded a career-long 39-yard reception in the road win at The Citadel (Oct. 23) ... Caught four passes for 120 yards including a 19-yard touchdown from QB Parish Metzger in WCU's annual Spring Showcase scrimmage.

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU in the summer of 2021 from Alabama … Originally committed to Army West Point as a prep;

Alabama: Did not see playing time for the Crimson Tide as a true freshman in 2020.

High School: Was a two-sport standout playing football and running track & field … Was named the Anthony Robinson Player of the Year as a senior … Was a running back, punt and kick returner, and defensive cornerback as a prep … Received a two-star ranking from Rivals as a cornerback where he was an all-state selection with 16 interceptions between his sophomore and junior years … His high school head coach was Brian Seymore.

Personal: Is the son of Shenika and Talmus Williams.

WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. CSU

 

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

5 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Carlos Davis & Mateo Sudipo

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

It's now 5 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 two players assigned to #5, one offense, one defense, a quarterback and a defensive safety:

#5 Carlos Davis

POSITION Quarterback
HEIGHT 6-3
WEIGHT 225
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Baltimore, Md.
HIGH SCHOOL Mergenthaler Vo-Tech HS









2022 (Redshirt Junior): Was named to the fourth-team preseason All-Southern Conference by Phil Steele.

2021 (Redshirt Sophomore): Saw action in five games on the season with a pair of starts at quarterback ... Threw for 902 yards on 75-of-115 passing with six touchdowns and five interceptions ... Rushed 28 times for a total of 85 yards ... Made his season debut in reserve at Oklahoma, completing 5-of-7 passes for 37 yards ... Was credited with a tackle after a fumble against the Sooners ... Threw for 225 yards on 16 completions with two TDs in a reserve role at Chattanooga (Oct. 2) ... Made his first start against Mercer (Oct. 9), completing 18-of-32 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown ... Rushed a career-high 11 times against Mercer ... Passed for a career-high 401 yards and three touchdowns on 31-of-40 passing as the starter in a road win at The Citadel (Oct. 23), earning Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week plaudits on Oct. 25.

2020-21 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in two games in the spring semester, both as a reserve at quarterback … Rushed once for three yards at Samford (Feb. 27) in his WCU debut … Completed his first pass as a Catamount, tossing a 44-yard touchdown pass to tight end Clayton Bardall at ETSU (March 27) after lining up as a wide receiver.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a mid-semester transfer in January 2020 from East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, Miss., where he earned an associate’s degree … Also played at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kansas … In nine games, completed 60-percent of his passes for 833 yards and seven touchdowns, adding 256 rushing yards and three scores … Garnered a two-star ranking from Gridiron RR among the nation’s junior college quarterbacks.

Personal: His twin sister plays women’s basketball at Temple where she was a USBWA All-American honorable mention in 2020.


#5 Mateo Sudipo

POSITION Safety
HEIGHT 6-1
WEIGHT 205
CLASS Redshirt Sophomore
HOMETOWN Wake Forest, N.C.
COLLEGE Coastal Carolina
HIGH SCHOOL Wake Forest HS





Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Coastal Carolina during the summer of 2022 ...

Redshirted in 2019 as a true freshman, playing in two games on special teams but did not record statistics ... Played in 22 total games between 2019 and 2021, mostly on special teams and as a defensive substitution ... Recorded 27 total tackles with 21 solo stops and six assists with 0.5 TFL on a sack in 2021 ... Credited with two passes defended ... Made his first career start in 2021 at Arkansas State (Oct. 7) ... Recorded the game-winning tackle against No. 8 BYU in 2020, dropping Cougar WR Dax Milne at the one-yard line as time expired to help secure the program's first-ever FBS Top 10 win for the Chanticleers.

High School: Two-year letterwinner for Wake Forest High and head coach Reggie Lucas ... Was a North Carolina Shrine Bowl selection ... Started his senior season at cornerback and wide receiver before transitioning to quarterback midway through the year ... Helped lead his team to its third-straight state title and fifth title game appearance in 2018, going 14-0 with a No. 1 ranking in North Carolina ... Was a part of a 45-game team winning streak ... Named the state championship MVP with an interception on defense ... Also lettered in basketball, earning team MVP honors in 2019.

Personal: Full name is Mateo Christian Sudipo ... Is the son of Christa Hardman and Ketut Sudipo ... Has a younger sibling, Kimora Sudipo ... Was born in Boca Raton, Fla.

6 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Terrence Horne & K.J. Milner

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

It's now 6 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 two players assigned to  #6, one offense, one defense, a wide receiver and a defensive lineman:

#6 Terrence Horne

POSITION Wide Receiver
HEIGHT 5-8
WEIGHT 185
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Miami, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL Miramar HS









2021 (Sophomore): Played in all 11 of the team's games with five starts at wide receiver ... Finished with 14 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown, adding one rush for 18 yards on offense ... Returned 15 kickoffs for a total of 291 yards including a long of 34 yards ... Amassed 522 all-purpose yards on the season ... Started his WCU debut in the season opener against Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 4), catching two passes for 15 yards ... Caught his WCU career-high three passes for 22 yards at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 25) ... Scored on a 42-yard reception at Chattanooga (Oct. 2) ... Posted a career-high 71 receiving yards as a part of a career-best 169 all-purpose yards in the home win over Furman (Nov. 6), returning five kicks for a combined 80 yards.

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU in the summer of 2021 from South Florida through the transfer portal;

South Florida: Saw action in 20 career games at USF, catching 15 passes for 90 yards and three touchdowns including two in 2019 … Posted a career-long 24-yard TD reception at East Carolina in 2019 … Also returned 14 kicks for 418 yards with two TDs, both coming in his redshirt freshman season in 2018 … Earned American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors after tying an NCAA record with two kickoff returns of 98 and 97 yards for TDs in the win over ACC-foe, Georgia Tech … Also named to the Paul Hornung Award national honor roll and the College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Performer of the Week … Suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice in mid-September of his redshirt freshman season;

High School: Named 2017 second-team Class 8A All-State by FloridaHSFootball.com in helping his team to a 9-2 record and a playoff appearance ... Caught a 55-yard touchdown to help his team capture the District 12-8A championship in 2017 … As a senior, caught 36 passes for 780 yards and 11 touchdowns with five 100-yard receiving games … Was the 100-meter champion in the 2018 FHSAA 4A State Track and Field Championships, posting a time of 10.48 ... Has a career-best 100-meter time of 10.29 ... As a junior, finished second in the state championships in the 100 meters and was named to the All-Broward boys track team in the 100, 200 and 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams…won the district and region 100 meters.

Personal: Is the son of Vanessa Cotton and Terrence Horne.


#6 K.J. Milner

POSITION Defensive Line
HEIGHT 6-4
WEIGHT 265
CLASS Senior
HOMETOWN Hinesville, Ga.
HIGH SCHOOL Bradwell Institute







2022 (Senior): Was named to the fourth-team preseason All-Southern Conference by Phil Steele.

2021 (Junior): Started all 11 of the team's games along the defensive line ... Led WCU's defensive linemen with 38 total tackles, tied for the sixth-most on the squad, including 11 solo stops and six tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks ... Posted at least one tackle in all 11 games, matching his career-high of seven twice - at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 25) that included a career-best 2.5 tackles for loss and had seven stops against Furman (Nov. 6)... Forced and recovered a fumble on the year, falling on the loose football for a takeaway at Gardner-Webb and recording a sack/fumble against ETSU (Nov. 13) ... Credited with two quarterback hurries ... Was named third-team All-Southern Conference by Phil Steele ... Named to the 2021-22 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2020-21 (Junior): Started all seven of the games in which he saw action, missing the final two games of the spring semester … Recorded 15 total tackles including seven solo stops with three tackles for loss with a sack … Credited with four quarterback hurries … Posted a season-best three solo stops at Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 21), including a TFL and two hurries … Made a season-high four tackles against The Citadel (March 13).

2019 (Sophomore): Started 11 of WCU’s 12 games along the defensive line … Recorded 41 total tackles, eighth on the defense but was the top defensive lineman … Posted 15 solo tackles and four tackles for loss including one sack and was credited for a team-best seven quarterback hurries … Recovered a pair of fumbles … Tallied five tackles at N.C. State (Sept. 7) and six tackle assists against Furman (Oct. 26) … Posted a season-high seven tackles against Samford (Nov. 16), charting three hurries and recovering a fumble.

2018 (Freshman): Played in eight of the team’s 11 seasonal games, making three starts along the defensive line … Missed the final three games of the regular season … Finished with 15 total tackles with five solo stops … Tallied two tackles for loss including one sack … Credited with two quarterback hurries and a pass break-up … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Newberry (Sept. 1) … Recorded his first career tackles at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 14) … Made his first career start at Furman (Sept. 29), posting a season-high five tackles including four solo stops … Matched his season-best with five tackles at Samford (Oct. 6) … Had one tackle in the triple-overtime game at ETSU (Oct. 27), tallying his first career sack ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Starting his prep career on junior varsity, played on the varsity roster all four years … Recorded 66 total tackles including 32 solo stops with a sack as a senior, earning him 2-AAAAAA First Team Defense plaudits … Had a fumble recovery and returned an interception for a touchdown … Was selected to the 2018 Blitz Border Bowl and the 2018 “War of the Border” High School All-Star football game … Earned the football “Captain’s Award” … Posted the highest grade point average on the team and saw time at tight end as a sophomore ... High school coach was Ross Couch … Joined the National Honor Society as a junior … Also participated in track & field as a prep, placing third in the shot put, and was a four-year letter winner in varsity boys basketball as a center and power forward.

Personal: Full name is Willie Keith Milner Jr., but goes by K.J. … Is the son of Francesca and Willie Keith Milner Sr. … Was born in Wurzburg, Germany … Has three younger siblings, Andre, Trey, and Xavier … His father owns a music store and his mother is a United States soldier.

7 days to WCU Football Kickoff - David White Jr. & Hayward McQueen III

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

It's now 7 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 two players assigned to  #7, one offense, one defense, a wide receiver and a linebacker:

#7 David White Jr.

POSITION Wide Receiver
HEIGHT 6-4
WEIGHT 200
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Jacksonville, Fla.

COLLEGE Valdosta State
HIGH SCHOOL Westside HS









Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Valdosta State, enrolling in the spring semester where he took part in WCU's spring drills ... Caught three passes for 42 yards in WCU's annual Spring Showcase scrimmage; 

Valdosta State: Played in 25 games at Valdosta State with 19 starts at wide receiver … Recorded 40 receptions for 539 yards and eight touchdowns for the Blazers … Caught 18 passes for 283 and four touchdowns as a freshman in 2018 with 22 catches for 256 yards and four scores as a sophomore in 2019.

Personal: Full name David Wayne White, Jr. ... Son of Clarinda and the late David White Sr.


#7 Hayward McQueen III

POSITION Linebacker
HEIGHT 6-1
WEIGHT 195
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL TRU Prep Academy







2022 (Freshman): Credited with seven tackles including one tackle for loss during WCU's annual Spring Showcase scrimmage.

Prior to Western Carolina: Is a hybrid-style linebacker who joined the Catamount football team during the spring 2022 semester, participating in annual spring drills … Was a second-team Class 2-A Independent All-State team selection in the 2020 Independent All-State football team compiled by FloridaHSFootball.com … Posted 90+ tackles with 15 tackles for loss and five sacks, forcing a pair of fumbles as a senior … Listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.

8 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Aiava "Va" Lealaimatafao & Jalynn Williams

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

It's now 8 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 two players assigned to  #8, one offense, one defense, a linebacker and a running back:

#8 Aiava "Va" Lealaimatafao

POSITION Linebacker
HEIGHT 6-1
WEIGHT 230
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN San Antonio, Texas
COLLEGE Cisco College
HIGH SCHOOL Warren HS








Prior to Western Carolina: Mid-semester transfer from Cisco College in Cisco, Texas, who enrolled at WCU for the spring 2022 semester;

Cisco College (2019-21): Recorded with 62 tackles over three seasons with 31 solo stops and a tackle for loss ... Tallied six pass break-ups including five in 2021;

High School: Three-year varsity letter winner at Warren High (2016-2019) ... Credited with 116 career tackles including 51 solo stops and 9.0 tackles for loss with three sacks, according to MaxPreps ... Forced two fumbles and recovered one during his prep career.

Personal: Full name is Aiava Xavier Louis Lealaimatafao ... Is the son of Diana and Semaia Lealaimatafao ... Has one brother, Trey and a sister Leilani ... Was born in Honolulu, Hawai'i.


#8 Jalynn Williams

POSITION Running Back
HEIGHT 5-10
WEIGHT 205
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN St. Petersburg, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL St. Petersburg HS








Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from the University of Toledo prior to the start of 2022 fall camp ... Originally committed to the University of Florida out of high school ... Played defense at Toledo, but is expected to play wide receiver at WCU;

At Toledo: Played for the Rockets from 2018 through 2021, appearing in 20 games as a defensive reserve ... Credited with 38 total tackles including a career-high six against BYU in 2019;

High School: Was a three-star product out of St. Petersburg High according to 247Sports ... Played wide receiver, defensive back, and on special teams as a prep ...

Personal: Is the son of Talya Williams.

9 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Cole Gonzales & Micah Nelson

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

It's now 9 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 two players assigned to  #9, one offense, one defense, a quarterback and a defensive end:

#9 Cole Gonzales

POSITION Quarterback
HEIGHT 6-0
WEIGHT 190
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN Ocala, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL Trinity Catholic HS






Prior to Western Carolina: Pro-style quarterback was a four-year varsity starter at Trinity Catholic HS … Threw for 932 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior, adding 668 yards and five scores on the ground in leading Trinity Catholic to the regional finals of the FHSAA 3A playoffs … Also averaged 42.3 yards per punt … Passed for 1,008 yards while rushing for 300 as a junior, guiding his high school to the Class 3A state semifinals … Also plays baseball as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Julie and Billy Gonzales … His father is an assistant football coach at FAU where he coaches wide receivers … Was born in Salt Lake City, Utah.



#9 Micah Nelson

POSITION Defensive End
HEIGHT 6-3
WEIGHT 255
CLASS Sophomore
HOMETOWN Murphy, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Murphy HS







2021 (Redshirt Freshman): Started all 11 games along the defensive line as a stand-up defensive end ... Finished with 33 total tackles on the year including 15 solo stops and three tackles for loss ... Had at least one tackle in all 11 games with four-or-more stops in five games including a season-high six against Samford (Sept. 18) ... Recovered a fumble against Furman (Nov. 6) ... Credited with three quarterback hurries and two pass break-ups ... Was a fourth-team All-Southern Conference selection by Phil Steele ... Named to the 2021 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Named to the 2021-22 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2020-21 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all nine of the team’s games with four starts … Recorded 27 total tackles including 13 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss … Credited with two quarterback hurries and one pass break-up … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Liberty (Nov. 14) … Recorded his first collegiate tackles including half a tackle for loss at North Carolina (Dec. 5) … Tallied seven tackles at Furman (Feb. 20) … Recorded a career-high nine tackles including seven solo stops with a TFL against The Citadel (March 13) ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and was named Academic All-Southern Conference.

2019 (Freshman): Did not see game action and is eligible for a redshirt ... Named to the 2019-20 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joins the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on after a stellar prep career at Murphy High … Was a two-time state champion (2016 & 2018) and three-time Smoky Mountain Conference champion as a prep … Twice named all-conference and All-Western North Carolina … Played wide receiver, defensive back, and quarterback as a senior during his prep career … Credited with 128 career tackles including seven tackles for loss while totaling 17 pass break-ups and 10 career interceptions … Finished with 57 career receptions for 907 yards, while also passing for 1,130 yards and rushing for 261 – recording 28 career total touchdowns ... High school coach was David Gentry.

Personal: Full name is Micah Thomas Nelson … Is the son of Becky and Thomas Nelson … Was born in Bristol, Va. … Has two younger siblings, Grace and Tyra … Father, Thomas, was an All-American football player at Emory & Henry College (1998) and a 2011 inductee into the Emory & Henry College Sports Hall of Fame.

10 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Taurus Dotson Jr. & Censere Lee

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

It's now 10 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 two players assigned to  #10, one offense, one defense, a tight end and a defensive cornerback:

#10 Taurus Dotson Jr.

POSITION Cornerback
HEIGHT 5-11
WEIGHT 200
CLASS Senior
HOMETOWN Miami, Fla.
COLLEGE Valdosta State
HIGH SCHOOL Northwestern HS





Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Valdosta State where he spent the past five years including a redshirt season ... Was a part of three NCAA Division II football playoff teams at VSU; At Valdosta State: Played in 38 games with 29 starts in the defensive secondary between 2018 and 2021 after taking a redshirt in 2017 ... Credited with 85 tackles including 43 solo stops and 3.5 tackles for loss with one assisted sack ... Recorded six career interceptions including three in 2021 as a redshirt junior with 16 career pass breakups ... Added two career fumble returns;

High School: Honored as an All-State selection while at Miami Northwestern High for head coach Max Edwards.

Personal: Full name is Taurus Keyon Dotson Jr. ... Is the son of Taurus Dotson Sr.


#10 Censere Lee

POSITION Wide Receiver
HEIGHT 5-11
WEIGHT 160
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN Clearwater, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL Clearwater HS






Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner … Caught 57 passes for 1,262 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior, averaging 97.1 receiving yards per game in his final season as a prep … Added 181 punt return yards with two touchdowns including a 91-yard return for a TD in the playoffs … Was the MaxPreps Player of the Game four times in 2021 including twice as the overall player of the game, once on offense, and the final time on special teams … Listed as a three-star athlete by 247sports … Also plays basketball as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Censere Jermel Lee ... Is the son of Lakwana Jones and Jermey Lee ... Has two siblings, Carrie and Ciara ... His mother played basketball and ran track and his father played football.

11 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Ajay Belanger & Caleb Fisher

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

It's now 11 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 two players assigned to  #11, one offense, one defense, a tight end and a defensive lineman:

#11 Ajay Belanger

POSITION Tight End
HEIGHT 6-3
WEIGHT 245
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Green Cove Springs, Fla.
COLLEGE Tusculum College
HIGH SCHOOL Clay HS







Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Tusculum College ... In three seasons with the Pioneers, played in 25 games with 78 receptions for 944 yards and six touchdowns ... Recorded 33 catches as a freshman and 35 as a sophomore, hauling in three TD passes both seasons ... Caught 10 passes for 111 yards in just four games in 2020 for the Pioneers 

 High School: Graduated from Clay HS in Green Cove Springs, Fla. ... Coached by Joshua Hoekstra... Lettered twice in football, three times in basketball and three occasions in track & field ... Two-time All-County (2016, 2017) ... Team captain in football ... Two-time basketball team MVP ... Led team to two District titles (2014, 2015) and three Region championships (2014, 2015, 2016)... Stats: 49 receptions, 839 yards, 12 TDs.

Personal: Is the son of Ulysses Tolber and the late Mona Lisa Belanger ... Was born Jacksonville, Fla.


#11 Caleb Fisher

POSITION Defensive Line
HEIGHT 6-3
WEIGHT 235
CLASS Sophomore
HOMETOWN Decatur, Ga.
HIGH SCHOOL Columbia HS







2021 (Freshman): Played in 10 games on the year, credited with nine total tackles including three solo stops and 2.0 tackles for six yards of losses ... Made his collegiate debut in the season opener against Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 4) ... Recorded a career-high five tackles including two TFLs and a pair of quarterback hurries against Samford (Sept. 18).

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-way player as a prep as a defensive end and tight end … Entered the 2020 season as a preseason all-state selection along the defensive line … Was an honorable mention defensive lineman all-region for 5-AAAAA in Georgia in 2019 after finishing with 30 tackles including 11 for loss with 10 sacks.

Personal: Is the son of Mitzi Gant and Cecil Fisher.

12 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Brody Palhegyi & Ken Moore Jr.

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

It's now 12 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 two players assigned to  #12, one offense, one defense, a quarterback and a defensive cornerback:

#12 Brody Palhegyi

POSITION Quarterback
HEIGHT 5-10
WEIGHT 180
CLASS Redshirt Freshman
HOMETOWN Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL Cardinal Gibbons HS







2021 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Dual-threat quarterback … Led Cardinal Gibbons High to two Florida Class 4A state championships, the first after taking over as the back-up in 2018 … Completed 107-of-158 passes for 1,242 yards and 17 touchdowns in just eight games as a senior … Added 41 rushes for 263 yards and two scores on the ground … Completed 29-of-33 passes for 358 yards and four touchdown passes in the 2020 state title game … High school coach was Matt DuBuc … Was a high school teammate of fellow WCU walk-on recruit, Mason Polivka.

#12 Ken Moore Jr.

POSITION Cornerback
HEIGHT 5-10
WEIGHT 155
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN Miami, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL Christopher Columbus HS







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.

WCU Fall '22 - Scrimmage #2

 

13 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Jaylin Terzado & Tanner Cromer

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

It's now 13 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 two players assigned to  #13, one offense, one defense, a wide receiver and a defensive lineman:

#13 Jaylin Terzado

POSITION Wide Receiver
HEIGHT 6-0
WEIGHT 170
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN Overtown, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL Champagnat Catholic HS







Prior to Western Carolina: Began his prep career at North Miami High before finishing at Champagnat Catholic … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports … Caught 26 passes for 560 yards with six touchdowns as a senior at Champagnat.

Personal: Is the son of Shawntavia Symonette ... Has three siblings - Jashiah Nadal, Dennis Graham, and Lethan Mantos ... His cousin Amari Daniels plays football at Texas A&M.


#13 Tanner Cromer

POSITION Defensive Line
HEIGHT 6-4
WEIGHT 250
CLASS Sophomore
HOMETOWN Reading, Ohio
COLLEGE Ellsworth CC
HIGH SCHOOL Reading HS






Prior to Western Carolina: Ellsworth CC:  Played in nine games between the spring and fall of 2021 ... Credited with 30 total tackles including 18 solo stops and 10 tackles for loss with five sacks ... Recorded an interception and a fumble recovery in the spring season; Transferred to WCU during the summer of 2022

High School: Three-time, first-team All-District selection and a three-time All-State honoree ... Was listed as a two-star athlete by 247Sports as a prep where he was the 33rd-ranked prospect in the Ohio Class of 2020 ... Played defensive end and tight end in high school ... Set a school record for sacks that included a single-season record 17 as a sophomore and 10 as a senior.

Personal: Full name is Tanner Edward Ross Cromer ... Is the son of Sean Cromer ... Has two older siblings ... Was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

14 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Nick Louis & De'Andre Tamarez

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

It's now 14 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 two players assigned to  #14, one offense, one defense, a safety and a wide receiver:

#14 Nick Louis

POSITION Safety
HEIGHT 6-2
WEIGHT 200
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Miami, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL North Miami Senior HS







Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Independence CC in Independence, Kansas after starting his collegiate career at Northwestern Oklahoma State; At Northwestern Oklahoma State: Redshirted in 2018 where he was a member of the practice squad ... Played in nine games in 2019 with 18 tackles including 10 solo stops ... Forced a fumble and tallied five pass break-ups ... Was on the academic honor roll at NWOSU; At Independence CC: Played in nine games in 2021, recording 17 total tackles including 16 solo stops and two tackles for loss with a sack ... Credited with two pass break-ups;

High School: Was on the junior varsity at Miami Central for his first two years before transferring to North Miami Senior High ... Played in five games with an interception before being sidelined by injury ... Started all 11 games as a senior, posting 47 tackles and four interceptions.

Personal: Is the son of Lorma V. Louis ... Has a sister, Michma Louis.


#14 De'Andre Tamarez

POSITION Wide Receiver
HEIGHT 5-11
WEIGHT 165
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN Overtown, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL Carol City HS







Prior to Western Carolina: Caught 24 passes as a junior for 407 yards and six TDs … Recorded 381 receiving yards and six scores as a sophomore in 2019 … Also ran track as a prep.

Personal: Full name is De'Andre Jouan Tamarez ... Is the son of Andrea Tamarez ... Has two brothers, one older and one younger Has a cousin, Nigel Bethele Jr., who plays football at Colorado.

15 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Corey Reddick Jr. & Ja'Morri Downing

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

It's now 15 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 two players assigned to  #15, one offense, one defense, a running back & a safety:

#15 Corey Reddick Jr.

POSITION Running Back 

HEIGHT 5-10 

WEIGHT 170 

CLASS Freshman 

HOMETOWN Delray Beach, Fla. 

HIGH SCHOOL Atlantic HS 

Prior to Western Carolina: Saw snaps at both running back and wide receiver … Rushed 46 times for 1,076 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior … Was named first-team offense Palm Beach 8A-6A by the Sun-Sentinel … Selected to the 2021 Palm Beach All-Star game … Won a 7A State Championship at St. Thomas Aquinas High … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star signee by Rivals.com … Also ran track as a prep. 

Personal: Is the son of Ianthia Beckford and Corey Reddick ... Is one of six children ... Is father was an honorable mention All-American and All-Jayhawk Conference selection as a football player at Garden City Community College in Kansas.


#15 Ja'Morri Downing

POSITION Safety
HEIGHT 6-0
WEIGHT 190
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL Stranahan HS






Prior to Western Carolina: Recorded 81 tackles including 63 solo stops and 25 tackles for loss with 10 sacks as a high school senior … Credited with nine passes defended … Also ran track as a prep, posting times of 11 flat in the 100m dash and 23 flat in the 200m dash.

Personal: Is the son of Sheneera Perry ... Has two siblings, Jamiya Downing and Paige Pocte.