64 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #64 Tyler Bailey

It's now 64 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 another offensive lineman:

#64 Tyler Bailey

Position Offensive Line
Class Freshman
Hometown Sylva, N.C.
High School Smoky Mountain HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Joins the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on … Played three-years on the varsity football team … Tabbed as the Ingles Athlete of the Week in Sept. 2023 … Has been accepted into WCU’s Brinson Honors College where he plans to study engineering.

65 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #65 Blake Ellsworth

It's now 65 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 another offensive lineman:

#65 Blake Ellsworth

Position Offensive Line
Height 5-10
Weight 260
Class Freshman
Hometown Kennesaw, Ga.
High School North Cobb HS







Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on … Part of back-to-back region championships at North Cobb and a part of setting a school record for victories in a career at North Cobb High … Was a second-team all-region team selection for 5-7A along the offensive line as a senior.

Personal: Is the son of Tiffany Ellsworth.

66 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #66 Derek Simmons

It's now 66 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 another offensive lineman:

#66 Steven Hamby

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-6
Weight 315
Class Junior
Hometown Jacksonville, Fla.

College Abilene Christian
High School Fletcher HS








2022 (Sophomore): Did not see game action, missing the season due to transfer rules.

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: Full name is Derek Joseph Simmons ... Is the son of Stacey and Joe Simmons ... Was born in Fredrick, Md. ... Has two siblings, Taylor Slivka and Hunter Slivka.

67 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #67 Steven Hamby

It's now 67 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 another offensive lineman:

#67 Steven Hamby

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Position Offensive Line
Height 6-5
Weight 285
Class Freshman
Hometown Statesville, N.C.
High School Statesville HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity starter including at right tackle as a sophomore and left tackle his junior and senior seasons ... Team captain as a senior ... Was a two-time All-Western Foothills Athletic Conference selection and a three-time All-County selection along the offensive line ... Named first-team 3-A All-State on the offensive line as a senior while also earning All-State honors as a junior ... Selected to the 2022 North Carolina High School Bluesheet All-State Academic Team in 2022 ... Selected as an alternate for the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl ... Played for the North Team in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl game in January 2023 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. ... Also wrestled as a prep where he won the conference heavyweight championship as a junior and qualified for the state tournament.

Blueblood's interview with Antoine Williams

68 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - JJ Laster

It's now 68 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

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

No-one is currency assigned to #68, so today, we will 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 

69 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #69 Ashton Travis

It's now 69 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 another offensive lineman:

#69 Ashton Travis

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-5
Weight 280
Class Junior
Hometown Omaha, Neb.
High School Omaha Westside HS








Prior to Western Carolina: Played in 13 total games along the offensive line at Iowa Central Community College between 2020-22 with a career-high eight games in the fall of 2022 ... Part of the Triton football team that won the Game One Bowl

High School: Played at Westside High in Omaha, Neb.… In addition to playing football as a prep, also wrestled in high school.

70 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #70 Christian Coulter

It's now 70 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 another offensive lineman:

#70 Christian Coulter

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-5
Weight 320
Class Senior
Hometown Thomson, Ga.

College Tusculum 
High School Thomson HS








2022 (Junior): One of seven players on roster and three along the offensive line to start all 11 games on the year … Started each game along the offensive line playing right tackle … Helped the Catamount offense set a single-season school record of 5,339 yards of total offense … Credited with one tackle at Furman (Oct. 15) … Was named to the fourth-team preseason All-Southern Conference by Phil Steele.

2021 (Sophomore): Started all 11 of the team's games along the offensive line, playing mostly along the right side ... Did not record any official statistics ... Made his debut at WCU in the season-opener against Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 4).

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 until Catamount Football Kickoff - #71 Cade McClellan

It's now 72 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 another offensive lineman:

#71 Cade McClellan

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-3
Weight 295
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Plant City, Fla.
High School Durant HS








2022 (Freshman): Saw action in one game as a true freshman on special teams and as a reserve along the offensive line … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17).

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner ... Coming off a first-team All-Conference nod as a senior, helping pave the way for a conference-leading rushing attack for head coach Clayton Varnam ... Played offensive guard in his final season ... Selected to play for the East Team in the Hillsborough County All-Star game in December 2021 

Personal: Full name is Cade William McClellan ... Is the son of Heather and William McClellan ... Has two younger siblings, Maddy and Colin ... Was born in Brandon, Fla.

72 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #72 Blake Whitmore

It's now 72 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 another offensive lineman:

#72 Blake Whitmore

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-2
Weight 295
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Raleigh, N.C.
High School Millbrook HS









2022 (Redshirt Sophomore): One of seven players to start all 11 games on the season, doing so from his offensive center position … Was one of three offensive linemen to start each game ... Helped the Catamount offense set a single-season school record of 5,339 yards of total offense … Credited with one tackle on the season coming at Georgia Tech (Sept. 10).

2021 (Redshirt Freshman*): Started five games along the offensive line at center before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season ... Recovered a fumble at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 25).

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 until Catamount Football Kickoff - #73 Xavier Graham

It's now 73 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 another offensive lineman:

#73 Xavier Graham

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-2
Weight 315
Class Junior
Hometown Niceville, Fla.

College UMass
High School Niceville HS








Prior to Western Carolina: Mid-year transfer from UMass where he played in seven games as a redshirt sophomore in 2022 … Saw action in four games as a true freshman in 2019, splitting time between the offensive and defensive lines … Saw limited action as a reserve on the offensive line in 2020 as a redshirt freshman … Played in three games in 2021 as a redshirt freshman; 

High School: Played at Niceville High for head coach John Hicks … Participated in the 2018 Subway High School All-Star Game that pits Escambia County student-athletes against participants from Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County … Was named a 2017 Large School All-Area selection ... Was originally listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports out of Niceville High.

Personal: Is the son of Ronnetta and Kenneth Graham.

74 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #74 Tyler Smith

It's now 74 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 another offensive lineman:

#74 Tyler Smith

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-8
Weight 310
Class Redshirt Senior
Hometown Laurinburg, N.C.
High School Scotland County HS




Career: Enters his fifth season having made 43-consecutive starts along the offensive line over the past four seasons.

2022 (Redshirt Junior): One of seven players to start all 11 games on the season, doing so from his left tackle position … Was one of three offensive linemen to start each game ... Helped the Catamount offense set a single-season school record of 5,339 yards of total offense … Named second team All-Southern Conference by the league’s head coaches … Was a first-team preseason All-Southern Conference selection along the offensive line by the league's head coaches ... Tabbed second-team preseason All-SoCon by Phil Steele.

2021 (Redshirt Sophomore*): Started all 11 games on the season on the offensive line, one of just two WCU linemen to do so ... Was named second-team All-Southern Conference by Phil Steele ... Credited with one tackle on a solo stop at The Citadel (Oct. 23) ... Was WCU's lone preseason All-Southern Conference selection by the league's head coaches.

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 until Catamount Football Kickoff - #75 Caleb Carter

It's now 75 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 another offensive lineman:

#75 Caleb Carter

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-3
Weight 295
Class Junior
Hometown Jacksonville, N.C.
High School Southwest Onslow HS









2022 (Sophomore): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with one start coming in the season finale against Chattanooga (Nov. 19) … Saw action on special teams and along the front line in helping the Catamount offense set a single-season school record of 5,339 yards of total offense … Credited with one tackle at Furman (Oct. 15).

2021 (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) ... Did not record any official statistics.

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.

Personal: Full name is Caleb Tanner Carter ... Is the son of Juleeia Carter and Damen Rosenburg.

76 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #76 Nathan Linkous

It's now 76 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 an offensive lineman:

#76 Nathan Linkous

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-5
Weight 295
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Cramerton, N.C.
High School Stuart W. Cramer HS








2022 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in two games on special teams and as a reserve along the offensive line … Played in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) and the home win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17).

2021 (Freshman): Played in three games as a true freshman as a reserve along the offensive line and on special teams, remaining eligible for a redshirt ... Made his collegiate debut against Furman (Nov. 6) ... Did not record any official statistics ... Named to the 2021-22 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

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.

Personal: Full name is Nathan Tyler Linkous ... Is the son of Jennifer and Jason Linkous ... Has a brother, Bryson.

77 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - Cody Edwards

It's now 77 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

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

No one is currently assigned to #77, so today we will highlight another assistant coach:

Cody Edwards 

TITLE Assistant Coach / Linebackers

Cody Edwards joined the Western Carolina football staff as a quality control coach working primarily with the defensive unit. Edwards came to Cullowhee after working at Tusculum University from 2018 through 2021, progressing to associate head coach and defensive coordinator.

Edwards served as the Tusculum safeties coach and was also the running game coordinator during the 2018 campaign. He took over coaching the TU linebackers and was promoted to defensive coordinator in March 2019.

The 2020-21 Pioneers posted a 4-1 record during the COVID shortened spring campaign where TU won the SAC's Mountain Division and followed with a 28-23 win at defending league champion Lenoir-Rhyne to win the program its first SAC Championship since 2008. The Tusculum defense limited the opposition to 17.6 points per contest while holding teams to 311.2 yards per game including a SAC-best 84 rushing yards per outing.

In his first year as defensive coordinator, the 2019 Pioneers led the SAC in defensive touchdowns scored (3 – 23rd in NCAA II), first down defense (175 – 21st in NCAA II), and fourth down percentage defense (.286 - 10th in NCAA II). Tusculum was also 28th in the country in total defense (309 ypg). He coached two All-South Atlantic Conference linebackers in Ivan Hogans and Jackson Cauthen, who was also recognized for his work off the field where he was an honors student and a two-time member of the CoSIDA Academic All-District Football first team.

A Haysi, Va., native Edwards earned his start in the coaching profession at Eastside High in Coeburn, Va., as the wide receivers and defensive backs coach, while also serving as the junior varsity head coach. He also has high school coaching experience at Pinecrest High in Southern Pines, N.C., in 2012.

Prior to going to Tusculum, Edwards served as the co-defensive coordinator at Keiser University and was defensive coordinator at The John Cooper School in 2016. He was the run game and defensive coordinator at Royal Palm Beach High School for two seasons and coached safeties and was the assistant secondary coach at John Carroll University in 2013, helping the team to a 9-2 record and a berth to the NCAA Playoffs. He mentored three all-conference players including one All-American.

Edwards served as an intern on the football staff at Tennessee during the 2012 season where duties included being a liaison for all NFL and professional scouts and the "Vol for Life" Program. He also aided the football operations staff and worked with the university’s summer football camps.

Edwards is a 2010 graduate of the University of Virginia's College at Wise with a BS in business administration while also lettering on the football team. He earned his Master's degree from Tusculum in May 2021.

78 Days until Catamount Football Kickoff - #78 Evan Carney

It's now 78 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 an offensive lineman:

#78 Evan Carney 

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-3
Weight 290
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Nashville, Tenn.
High School Christ Presbyterian Academy









2022 (Freshman): Saw action in two games, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) and also played in the home win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17).

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.