0 Days to WCU Football Kickoff - AJ Colombo / Ken Moore Jr.

It's game day for Catamount Football - The Cats travel to play the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

 

Today we will highlight two players that wear #0, one on offense and one of defense:

#0 AJ Colombo

Position Wide Receiver
Height 5-8
Weight 170
Class Junior
Hometown Waxhaw, N.C.
High School Cuthbertson HS










2023 (Sophomore): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games with two starts at wide receiver … Finished third on the team with 31 receptions for 438 yards and five touchdowns, the latter ranking him tied for fifth in the SoCon … Caught passes in eight of the 10 games in which he saw action … Caught five passes for 79 yards and a score in the home win over nationally-ranked Samford (Sept. 9) … Tallied his first multi-score game with two TD receptions against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Matched with five catches for 40 yards and a score at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Tallied a career-high seven receptions for 56 yards against Mercer … Returned 16 punts for 192 total yards, ranking third in the SoCon with a 12.0 yard per return average … Added six kickoff returns for 78 total yards with a long of 21 yards … Hauled in five passes for 96 yards and a 64-yard touchdown pass in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman): Saw action in all 11 of the team’s games with one start at wide receiver … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) with his first collegiate start against VMI (Oct. 1) … Finished the season with five catches for 36 yards, making his first reception against Presbyterian (Sept. 16) and catching two passes for 26 yards against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Returned 14 punts for 124 total yards, averaging 8.9 yards per return with a long of 39 yards in the win over VMI (Oct. 1) … Dropped back on kickoff returns the final four games of the season, finishing with 11 returns for 258 yards and a team-best 23.5 yard per return average … Named to the 2022 Southern Conference All-Freshman team on special teams by the league’s head coaches … Hauled in six receptions for 67 yards including a 50-yard strike from QB Bennett Judy to pull the White team to within seven, 21-14, six possessions into WCU’s annual Spring Game … Received a partial scholarship from head coach Kerwin Bell following the conclusion of WCU’s annual spring drills ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll ... Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-time, first-team all-conference receiver at Cuthbertson High for head coach Trey Kavanaugh ... Recorded 154 career catches for 1,784 yards and seven touchdowns over three seasons as a prep, adding two kickoff returns for TDs ... Also rushed 162 times for 909 career yards with 17 touchdowns ... Posted a conference-record 17 receptions in a game as a junior ... Started his prep career at quarterback on the junior varsity team in 2018 ... Also played lacrosse as a prep, scoring 49 goals as a senior.

Personal: Full name is Armond Giuseppe Colombo, but prefers to go by "AJ" ... Is the son of Juliann and Thomas Colombo ... Was born in Boston, Mass. ... Has three older sisters - Gia, CeCe, and Gracie ... His father was a Hall of Fame quarterback at Villanova.

 

#0 Ken Moore Jr.

Position Cornerback
Height 5-10
Weight 160
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Miami, Fla.
High School Christopher Columbus HS









2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 of the team’s games as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Recorded 17 total tackles with 11 solo stops with one tackle for loss … Credited with two pass breakups and had an interception … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2), making his first career tackle as part of a two solo stop effort … Posted a career-high six tackles with four solo stops against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Had a tackle for loss at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Made his first career interception at Chattanooga (Oct. 7), adding a pair of pass breakups in the road win … Credited with four tackles in the home win over Mercer (Oct. 28) and three in the road win at Wofford (Nov. 4) … Named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team.

2022 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Recorded a pass breakup in WCU's annual Spring Game.

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.

1 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - Zion Booker / Mateo Sudipo

It's now 1 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

 

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 that wear #1, one on offense and one of defense:

#1 Zion Booker

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5-10
Weight: 185
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Julius Chambers HS










2023 (Freshman): Saw action in 10 of the team’s 11 games on the season, each coming as a reserve on offense and on special teams … Caught eight passes for 176 yards, posting receptions in seven of the 10 games he saw action … Made his first career reception in his career debut with a 13-yard catch at Arkansas (Sept. 2) … Caught a 40-yard pass in the road win at nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Oct. 7), eclipsing that with a career-long 41-yard catch at VMI (Nov. 18) … Recorded his career-best two catches against the Keydets for a career-high 45 receiving yards.

Prior to Western Carolina: Started his prep career at Vance HS … Earned Queen City All-Conference plaudits as a senior, catching 44 passes for 598 yards and nine touchdowns … Added nine rushing yards and 95 yards on punt returns with one for a touchdown to finish with 702 all-purpose yards and 10 scores in his final season as a prep where he was named his team’s Wide Receiver and Special Teams Player of the Year … Also collected 2022 Receiver of the Year from South Charlotte Sports Report in 2022.

Personal: Is the son of Latonya and Keith Booker.

#1 Mateo Sudipo

Position: Safety
Height: 6-1
Weight: 210
Class: Redshirt Senior
Hometown: Pompano Beach, Fla.
High School: Wake Forest (N.C.) HS










2023 (Redshirt Senior): Only saw action in one game, suffering a season-ending injury after starting the season-opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2) … Credited with three total tackles with two solo stops and half a tackle for loss against the Razorbacks.

2022 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with nine starts in the defensive secondary … Finished fourth on the squad with 46 total tackles including 26 solo stops with three tackles for loss including a pair of sacks … Credited with six pass breakups and a quarterback hurry … Recorded two-or-more tackles in all 11 appearances with four-or-more stops seven times … Made his WCU debut in the season opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3), recording six tackles including two for losses with a sack for a six-yard loss … Recorded six stops in the home win over VMI (Oct. 1) with a sack … Credited with a career-high seven tackles against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Posted three pass breakups and three tackles in the win over Wofford (Nov. 5) … Recorded four tackles in WCU’s annual Spring Game intrasquad scrimmage.

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., and lists Pompano Beach, Fla., as his hometown ... Attended high school in Wake Forest, N.C.

2 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - Branson Adams / Micah Nelson

It's now 2 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

 

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 that wear #2, one on offense and one of defense: 

#2 Branson Adams

Position Running Back
Height 5-9
Weight 190
Class Junior
Hometown Greensboro, N.C.
High School Dudley HS










2023 (Junior): Played in all 11 games with four starts at running back coming in the final four games of the regular season … Rushed 89 times for 539 yards with three touchdowns, averaging 49 yards per game … Eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark one time with a career-best 110 yards against ETSU (Nov. 11) … Added 36 receptions out of the backfield for 266 yards with four touchdowns … Recorded his first collegiate touchdown on a game-winning 8-yard TD reception at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16) … Scored his first touchdown on the ground at Chattanooga (Oct. 7) with a 37-yard romp late in the third quarter … Twice went over 100 all-purpose yards in a game with 101 – 51 rushing, 50 receiving – at Wofford (Nov. 4) and a career-high 183 yards – 110 yards rushing and 73 receiving yards – in the home win over ETSU … Led the purple squad in WCU’s annual Spring Game with five rushes for 27 yards.

2022 (Sophomore): Played in four games as an offensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with an unassisted tackle in the road win at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) … Recorded one rush for three yards and one reception at Georgia Tech (Sept. 10) ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2021 (Freshman*): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games on the season between special teams and an offensive reserve, finishing the season with 94 all-purpose yards … Rushed 13 times for 41 yards with four receptions for 17 total yards … Recorded a career-high three rushes three times including at Oklahoma (Sept. 11), at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 25) and at Wofford (Oct. 30) … Caught a career-best two passes at Chattanooga (Oct. 2) … Posted four kickoff returns for a combined 36 yards.

2020-21 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Four-year varsity letter winner … Began his prep career at Northern Guilford while also playing at Page HS before finishing at Dudley HS … Rushed for 1,211 yards over his final two seasons as a prep, scoring 21 touchdowns on the ground … Made 32 career receptions for 503 yards and three receiving scores … Added 150 yards on kickoff returns and 17 on punt returns for 1,881 career all-purpose yards … Defensively, tallied 59 tackles as a senior including 36 solo stops and 1.5 sacks with three interceptions as a senior … Rushed for 183 yards and two TDs while catching two passes for 44 yards as a sophomore at Page HS … Four-year, A-B Honor Roll as a prep while also running track … Joined the WCU football team as a walk-on.

#2 Micah Nelson

Position Defensive End
Height 6-3
Weight 265
Class Redshirt Senior
Hometown Murphy, N.C.
High School Murphy HS










2023 (Redshirt Junior): Selected first-team preseason All-Southern Conference by the league's head coaches ... Missed the season due to injury ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Redshirt Sophomore): One of seven players including four defenders to start all 11 games on the season, doing so from his defensive end position … Recorded 35 tackles on the year with 14 solo stops and three tackles for loss coming on sacks … Credited with four quarterback hurries and a pass breakup … Posted three-or-more tackles in seven games on the year including a season-best seven tackles at Samford (Sept. 24) … Had four tackles including a sack and a half against VMI (Oct. 1) … Posted three tackles with a sack against Wofford (Nov. 5) … Named to the 2022 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Selected to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

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.

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WCU Game #1 - at NC State

For the season's first game, the Catamounts travel to Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC to face the North Carolina State Wolfpack of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The Wolfpack finished the 2023 season in third place in the ACC with a 6-2 conference record and a 9-4 overall record.

Game #1 - NC State

 When: Thursday, August 29, 2024

 Time: 7:00 pm
 Where:  Carter-Finley Stadium  (56,919), Raleigh, NC
 Radio: Catamount Sports Network
     -Play-by-Play:  Daniel Hooker

 Sirius/XM:  Channel 160 or 201

 TV/video:  ACCN   

     -announcers: Wes Durham (PxP), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Dana Boyle (reporter) 

 Live Stats:  NCSU Live Stats

 Conference:  Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

 Enrollment: 37,873 

 Nickname: Wolfpack

 Colors: Red and White

Game Notes:  WCU  -    NC State   -   SoCon Notes

2-Deep Rosters:  WCU  -   NC State

The Series: The Wolfpack holds a perfect 7-0 record vs. the Catamounts. The two North Carolina teams last played in 2019.   

Head Coach:  Dave Doeren - He enters the 2024 campaign with the second-longest tenure in the ACC and the seventh-longest in the Power 5 conferences. He has guided NC State to at least eight wins in five of the last six seasons, with three nine-win campaigns in that time. 

Last Season's Record - (2023): 9-3 overall, 5-2 home, 4-1 away, 0-1 neutral,  6-2 ACC

In Robert Anae's inaugural year as the Wolfpack's offensive coordinator, the team's offensive strategy took some time to solidify. However, as the season progressed, the unit found its rhythm. At times, the Wolfpack offense dominated their opponents, scoring 144 points to their opponents 77 during a five-game winning streak that sealed their regular season.

Now, with a new quarterback in Grayson McCall from Coastal Carolina and a dynamic group of wide receivers, the Pack is ready to capitalize on their success from last season. Wideout Kevin “KC” Concepcion is expected to play a key role once more. Additionally, the Pack enhanced their threat by bringing in Ohio State transfer wideout Noah Rogers and Duke transfer, running back Jordan Waters. With a strong offensive lineup, the Wolfpack offense will be formidable, making it challenging for the Catamount defense.

The Wolfpack face a significant challenge in their defensive strategy following the departure of linebacker Payton Wilson to the NFL. Wilson, who won the Bednarik and Butkus Awards and was a versatile defender for the Wolfpack, left with a total of 138 tackles, including 17.5 lost.

With Wilson gone, State's defense will see changes in its lineup. The Wolfpack will feild a fresh set of starting linebackers, and Brandon Cleveland will move into the role of starting nose tackle. The secondary, will also see a change with the return of corner Aydan White. However, White will be joined by several new players in the secondary. Additionally, coordinator Tony Gibson has brought in new defensive backs in the spring to enhance the team's depth and skill. 

NC State has produced outstanding punters over the past few seasons, and Caden Noonkester appears to be on track to extend that reputation. He leads the ACC with 71 punts for 3,022 yards, with 25 inside the 20-yard line and 11 longer than 50 yards last season. Kicker Kanoah Vinesett replaced Brayden Narveson and nailed a 48-yarder in the Wolfpack’s spring game. Long snapper Cade Davis will replace Joe Shimko, who was named the best at the position in the nation last year.


2023 Wolfpack Statistics 
Rushing Offense: 2034 yards
Yards per game: 157
Rushing 1st downs: 103
TDs rushing: 19
Passing Offense: 2521 yards or 194 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 116
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 379-224-12
TDs Passing: 19
Total Offense: 4555 yards or 350 yards per game
Fumbles - Lost: 10 - 3
3d Down Conversions: 188
4th Down Conversions: 15
Field goal attempts: 5 - 11
PAT-Attempts: 18 of 23
Penalties: Avg Game: 46 yards
         

3 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - Calvin Jones / Samaurie Dukes

It's now 3 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

 

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 that wear #3, one on offense and one of defense: 

#3 Calvin Jones

Position Wide Receiver
Height 5-10
Weight 185
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Forest City, N.C.
High School East Rutherford HS











2023 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with 10 starts at wide receiver … Caught 27 passes for 348 yards with two receiving touchdowns, averaging 12.9 yards per catch … His 31.6 receiving yard per game average was 14th in the SoCon … Added 11 kickoff returns for 252 yards, ranking fourth in the SoCon with a 22.9 yard per return average … Caught four passes for 32 yards with a pair of kickoff returns for 37 yards in totaling 69 all-purpose yards at SEC-foe Arkansas (Sept. 2) … Posted a season-best five receptions twice with five catches for 65 yards at The Citadel (Sept. 30) and five for a season-high 89 yards and a score against Mercer (Oct. 28), adding four kickoff returns for 105 yards in amassing a season-best 194 all-purpose yards … Caught four passes for 60 yards and a TD at Wofford (Nov. 4) ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Sophomore): Missed the season due to an injury suffered in 2022 spring practice ... 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 ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

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 and 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.

#3 Samaurie Dukes

Position Cornerback
Height 5-10
Weight 185
Class Junior
Hometown Miami, Fla.
High School Miami HS










2023 (Sophomore): Played in nine of the team’s 11 games with seven starts in the defensive secondary … Finished with 29 total tackles including 20 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for a total of six yards of losses … Tallied four pass break ups and three interceptions … Recorded a tackle in all nine games he played including a season-high six twice – in the season-opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2) and in the road win at nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Oct. 7) … Credited with five solo stops in the road win at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16) … Had a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, and his first career interception in the home win over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Intercepted two passes in the home win over ETSU (Nov. 11).

2022 (Freshman): Played in all 11 games on the season with three starts … Tallied 33 tackles with 21 solo stops and two tackles for loss … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3), recording his first career tackle … Was an honorable mention for the FedEx Ground National Freshman of the Week after recording a career-high nine tackles with four solo stops at Mercer (Oct. 8) … Recovered a fumble with two tackles at Furman (Oct. 15) … Posted six tackles with four solo stops against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Had three tackles and a quarterback hurry against Wofford (Nov. 5) … Named to the 2022 Southern Conference All-Freshman team on defense.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team during the spring 2022 semester, participating in annual spring drills ... Recorded two interceptions during WCU's annual Spring Showcase scrimmage ... Played wide receiver and defensive back as a prep, while also returning punts and kickoffs on special teams ... Was the offensive MVP of the annual Private vs. Public High School All-Star Game, catching six passes for 115 yards and a touchdown ... Named All-Dade first-team by the Miami Herald.

WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. NC State

4 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - De'Andre Tamarez / CJ Williams

It's now 4 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

 

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 that wear #4, one on offense and one of defense: 

#4 De'Andre Tamarez

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Overtown, Fla.
High School: Carol City HS

2023 (Sophomore): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with one start at wide receiver … Caught seven passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns … Bookended the season as he twice caught a pass for 21 yards, at Arkansas (Sept. 2) and at VMI (Nov. 18), recording his first TD of the year … Recorded a season-best 31 yard reception against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Caught a season-high two passes for 13 yards with a touchdown at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … In WCU’s annual Spring Game, caught two passes for 23 yards.

2022 (Freshman): Played in four games as a true freshman, remaining eligible for redshirt … Caught three passes for 62 yards and three touchdowns … Added one kickoff return for five yards to tally 67 all-purpose yards … Made his collegiate debut at Georgia Tech (Sept. 10) … Caught a career-high three passes for a career-best 62 yards and two touchdowns in the home win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17) … Scored his first career touchdown on his first career reception, an 18-yard pass from QB Parish Metzger late in the third quarter before adding a career-long 36-yard scoring reception from QB Samuel Cornett … Caught a pass for 13 yards in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

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. Footer

#4 CJ Williams

Position: Cornerback
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Class: Redshirt Senior
Hometown: Gallion, Ala.
High School: Demopolis HS










2023 (Redshirt Junior): Started all 11 games on defense as a cornerback … Finished the season tied for third on the WCU squad with 44 total tackles including 32 solo stops and three tackles for loss … Recorded tackles in all 11 games on the season with six or more stops four times … Credited with six pass breakups and his first career interception … Posted six tackles including five solo stops at Arkansas (Sept. 2) … Had four solo tackles among his six stops in the road win at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16), adding an interception with a 30-yard return to accompany three pass breakups … Recorded six tackles against Mercer (Oct. 28) … Posted a career-best nine tackles in the road win at nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Oct. 7) including eight solo stops … Credited with three tackles and returned an interception 100 yards to end WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2022 (Redshirt Sophomore): Converted to defensive back during the offseason entering 2022 camp … Played in all 11 of the team’s games as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with 14 total tackles on the season including seven solo stops with one pass breakup … Posted tackles in eight of the 11 games with multiple tackles five times … Made his first tackle as a part of a career-best three solo stops in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3).

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.

5 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - Jalynn Williams / Hayward McQueen Jr.

It's now 5 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

 

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 that wear #5, one on offense and one of defense: 

#5 Jalynn Williams

Position: Running Back
Height: 5-10
Weight: 210
Class: Redshirt Senior
Hometown: St. Petersburg, Fla.
High School: St. Petersburg HS









2023 (Senior): Did not see game action.

2022 (Junior): Played in nine of the team’s 11 games as a reserve at running back and on special teams … Rushed 41 times for 204 yards and two touchdowns, adding 31 receptions for 303 receiving yards with a third score … Had six kickoff returns for 95 yards with two punt returns for 11 yards, amassing 613 all-purpose yards on the season for a 68.1 yard per game average … Made his WCU debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3), tallying 94 all-purpose yards including seven yards on the ground, 25 receiving yard with a touchdown and 51 yards on kickoff returns … Rushed for a season-best 61 yards on seven carries at Samford (Sept. 24) … Scored two rushing touchdowns including the game-winning score on a six-yard rush off right tackle in the final three minutes of the home win over Wofford (Nov. 5).

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.






#5 Hayward McQueen Jr.

Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-1
Weight: 200

Class: Junior
Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
High School: TRU Prep Academy









2023 (Sophomore): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games on the season with eight starts … Finished with 26 total tackles including 14 solo stops … Posted tackles in nine of the 10 games he played … Had 5.0 tackles for loss including a sack … Forced a fumble while also being credited with a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup … Recorded three tackles including a stop for loss in the season opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2) while also posting three stops at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16) … Finished with four tackles twice in the home wins over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) and Furman (Oct. 21) … Credited with a season-high six tackles including four solo stops with a sack and a forced fumble on the road at VMI (Nov. 18).

2022 (Freshman): Early-enrollee where he took part in 2022 spring drills ... Played in all 11 of the team’s games with three starts at linebacker … Finished the season second on the WCU squad with 59 tackles including 27 solo stops with 3.0 tackles for loss with a sack and three quarterback hurries … Ranked 25th in the SoCon – and was the fourth-best freshman – with his 5.3 tackle per game average … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3), recording five tackles including his first career sack … Twice posted double-digit tackles including a career-best 13 tackles with eight solo stops against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Was listed as an honorable mention for the FedEx Ground FCS National Freshman of the Week on Nov. 21 following a career-high 10 tackle performance that included a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry in the upset win over No. 17/15 Chattanooga in the regular-season finale … Named to the 2022 Southern Conference All-Freshman team on defense … Credited with six tackles including three tackles for loss with a sack in WCU’s annual 2023 Spring Game.

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.

6 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - Corey Reddick Jr / Curtis Fann Jr.

It's now 6 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

 

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 that wear #6, one on offense and one of defense:

#6 Corey Reddick Jr

Position: Running Back
Height: 5-10
Weight: 175
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: West Palm Beach, Fla.
High School: Atlantic HS











2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action … Rushed four times for three yards in WCU’s pass-heavy Spring Game.

2022 (Freshman): Played in four games as a true freshman, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) … Rushed 20 times for 119 yards and a touchdown, adding seven receptions for 54 yards and a score, amassing 173 all-purpose yards on the season … Rushed a career-best nine times for a career-high 71 yards and a two-yard touchdown rush, adding a 20-yard touchdown reception in the home win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17) … Caught a career-best five passes for 27 yards at Samford (Sept. 24).

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.


#6 Curtis Fann Jr.

Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6-3
Weight: 255
Class: Redshirt Senior
Hometown: Stillmore, Ga.
High School: Emanuel County Institute











2023 (Redshirt Junior): Saw action in all 11 of the team’s games as a defensive reserve … Credited with 22 total tackles including 15 solo stops … Posted 2.5 tackles for 16 yards of losses including a pair of sacks … With a team-high three forced fumbles, ranked tied for first in the SoCon … Added a fumble recovery and was credited with a quarterback hurry … Recorded tackles in nine of the 11 games played … Made his WCU debut on the road at Arkansas (Sept. 2) … Recorded his first tackle as a Catamount in the home win over nationally-ranked Samford (Sept. 9) with three stops including his first sack and a forced fumble … Posted his WCU career-high with five tackles against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Forced a pair of fumbles to accompany three tackles at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Recorded 1.5 tackles for loss with his second sack against ETSU (Nov. 11) … Credited with a pair of quarterback hurries in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Originally attended Florida State out of high school before transferring to Akron; 

At Florida State: Worked with FSU’s scout team for two years, taking a redshirt in 2019 … Was a Seminole Scholar in 2020; 

At Akron: Appeared in 10 games for the Zips, including one start ... Garnered 12 tackles, with nine solo stops and three assisted tackles, while recording a half tackle for a loss and one quarterback hurry on the campaign ... Posted a season-best three-tackle effort against Kent State (Nov. 20); 

High School: Was a four-star prospect by both Rivals and 247Sports … Rated No. 29 nationally according to Rivals and 17th among strong side defensive ends by 247Sports … Was a three-year starter on both sides of the football, helping Emanuel County Institute to a perfect 5-0 regional record and appearance in the second round of the Class A state playoffs in 2018 … As a junior, played on a team that won 12 games and advanced to the semifinal round of state playoffs … Made 64 tackles including 23.0 for loss with 7.0 sacks, and forced four fumbles as a sophomore when Emanuel County advanced to the state semifinal.

7 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - Malik Knight / Ed Jones IV

It's now 7 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

 

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 that wear #7, one on offense and one of defense::

#7 Malik Knight

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
High School: Fort Lauderdale HS









2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action in the regular season ... Capped a strong spring semester by catching two passes for 50 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2022 (Freshman): Played in four games as an offensive reserve, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his WCU debut in the season-opening road win at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) … Caught two passes for 20 yards in the home
win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17).

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a part of the 2021 District 7-A Championship team in the FHSAA ... Also ran track as a prep where he was the fourth-fastest runner in the 200-meter dash in Florida as a senior.

Personal: Full name is Malik Jamal Knight ... Is the son of Zawana Howard and Atare Allen.



#7 Ed Jones IV

Position: Safety
Height: 6-1
Weight: 200
Class: Senior
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
High School: Martin HS









2023 (Junior): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with 10 starts in the defensive secondary … Was fifth on the WCU squad, credited with 40 total tackles including 21 solo stops … Had 4.5 tackles for 24 yards of losses including two sacks … Posted tackles in 10 of the 11 games he played … Credited with two quarterback hurries and one pass breakup … Recorded four tackles including a sack and forced a fumble in the season-opener at SEC-foe Arkansas (Sept. 2) … Had five stops with a TFL at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16) … Came up with his first career interception, returning the pick 48 yards for a key touchdown in WCU’s road win over nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Oct. 7) to accompany a season-high seven tackles … Had six tackles at Wofford (Nov. 4) and five solo tackles at VMI (Nov. 18).

2022 (Sophomore): Played in all 11 of the team’s games on the season with eight starts on defense … Recorded 38 tackles on the season with 20 solo stops and five tackles for loss with two sacks and a pair of pass breakups … Made his WCU debut in the season opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3), tallying six solo tackles with two sacks against the Buccaneers … Recorded his WCU-best eight tackles with four solo stops against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Finished with seven tackles against nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Nov. 19) in the regular-season finale … Led his squad with seven tackles including a tackle for a loss in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU for the spring semester from Cisco College in Texas … Played in 15 games over the past two seasons, recording 132 total tackles including 62 solo stops and six tackles for loss … Saw action in eight games in the fall 2021, finishing third on the team with 70 tackles including 36 solo hits … Recorded an interception, returning the pick 32 yards … Played in seven games in the 2020-21 season played in the spring, collecting 62 total tackles including 26 solo stops and one TFL … Recorded six pass break-ups including an interception … Both forced and recovered a fumble … Helped guide Cisco to an undefeated conference championship; 

High School: Three-year varsity letter winner, credited with 170 total tackles including 103 solo stops and 30 tackles for loss with 16 sacks, according to MaxPreps.

Personal: Full name is Edward Jones IV ... Is the son of Bethany Britten and Edward Jones III, and his grandmother, Emma Jones.