30 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #30 Richard Garrett

 

It's now 30 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025 against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive End: 

#30 Richard Garrett

Position Defensive End
Height 6-5
Weight 255
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Jacksonville, Fla.
High School Andrew Jackson HS











2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in nine of the team’s 12 games on special teams and as a defensive reserve … Saw action in six-straight games to conclude the season … Recorded five total tackles with a pair of solo stops and half a tackle for loss … Credited with tackles at Furman (Oct. 19), Chattanooga (Nov. 2), and at Samford (Nov. 23) … Recorded a season-best two tackles including half a TFL at ETSU (Nov. 9) … Posted five tackles, including two for loss with a sack in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in seven games, each as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with four tackles including three in the home win over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Tallied a tackle and a quarterback hurry at home in the rivalry win over ETSU (Nov. 11).

2022 (Freshman): Played in four games as a defensive reserve and on special teams, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over VMI (Oct. 1) … Did not record any official statistics.

Prior to Western Carolina: Recorded 114 tackles including 11.5 sacks as a senior … Credited with four pass deflections.

31 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #31 Don Robinson III

 

It's now 31 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025 against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive Back: 

#31 Don Robinson III

AJ Mintze

Position Cornerback
Height 5-9
Weight 180
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Winston-Salem, N.C.
High School West Forsyth HS










2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Did not see game action.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action ... Credited with three tackles in WCU's annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played at West Forsyth High for head coach Adrian Snow where he was a three-year varsity letter winner ... Recorded 65 tackles as a senior with three tackles for loss ... Tallied three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns ... Credited with 25 pass break-ups ... Blocked five field goals, returning one for a touchdown on a scoop-and-score.

Personal: Full name is Don Levander Robinson III ... Is the son of Tricia and Don Robinson Sr. ... Has two older siblings, Gabrielle and Hannah, and one younger, Jordyn.

32 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #32 AJ Mintze

 

It's now 32 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025 against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive Back: 

#32 AJ Mintze AJ Mintze

Position Safety
Height 6-0
Weight 195
Class Freshman
Hometown Delray Beach, Fla.
High School Miami Norland HS









Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to a talent-laden Norland High secondary as a lock-down defender … Also attended American High and Miami Northwestern … Is an honor student in the classroom … Highlighted by Rivals.com midway through his senior season as a sleeper among top Florida recruits … Also ran track as a prep where he was the 400-meter dash district champion.

33 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #33 Lee Campbell

 

It's now 33 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025 against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive Back: 

#33  Lee Campbell

Position Safety
Height 6-1
Weight 210
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Charlotte, N.C.
High School Vance HS











2024 (Junior): Played in two games as a defensive reserve and on special teams before being sidelined by injury at home against Campbell (Sept. 7) … Credited with two total tackles, registering tackle assists at NC State (Aug. 29) and against Campbell … Missed spring drills as he returned from injury.

2023 (Sophomore): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with three starts in the defensive secondary … Credited with 44 total tackles including 23 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss … Recorded tackles in 10 of the 11 games in which he saw action … Added five pass breakups including a career-best two against Furman (Oct. 21) … Matched his previous career best with eight tackles against the Paladins, posting a season-high four solo stops … Also had four solo tackles against ETSU (Nov. 11) … Finished with four tackles including one for loss against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Recorded a career-high nine tackles in the home win over Mercer (Oct. 28).

2022 (Freshman): Played in all 11 of the team’s games on special teams and as a reserve on defense … Recorded 22 tackles on the season including 11 solo stops with half a tackle for loss … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) … Credited with his first career tackle at Georgia Tech (Sept. 10), finishing with two total stops … Had three tackles with a half a TFL at Samford (Sept. 24) … Recorded a season-high eight tackles including four solo stops at Mercer (Oct. 8) … Posted five tackles at home against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Recovered a fumble in the road win at ETSU (Nov. 12) that helped stop a would-be scoring drive at the 18-yard line … Recorded a team-high tying seven tackles with a tackle for loss in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on ... Started his prep career at East Mecklenburg High before transferring to Vance / Julius L. Chambers High ... Finished his prep career at Queen City Prep in Matthews, N.C.

Personal: Full name is Lee Jay Campbell ... Is the son of Sabrina and Lee Campbell.

Phil Steele's SoCon Preseason All-Conference Teams

 Phil Steel's 2025 SoCon Preseason All-Conference Teams:

https://philsteele.com/2025-fcs-preseason-southern-uac-ivy-teams/

34 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #34 Joshua Collins

 

It's now 34 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025 against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive Back: 

#34 Joshua Collins

Position Linebacker
Height 6-1
Weight 215
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Bryson City, N.C.
High School Swain County HS










2024 (Freshman): Saw action in two games, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut against VMI (Nov. 16), rushing a career-high two times for six yards … Also played in the road win at Samford (Nov. 23) … Made the transition to linebacker during spring drills … Credited with five tackles in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Ran for 2,834 yards on 429 carries over three varsity seasons at Swain, posting 23 career touchdowns including 17 as a senior … Rushed for his single-season career-best 1,743 yards as a prep senior … Added 17 career catches for 276 yards and three scores out of the backfield … Averaged 101.7 all-purpose yards per game over his final three seasons that included 172.5 all-purpose yards per game as a senior … As a two-way player, added 213 career tackles including 87 as a junior with 26 total tackles for loss including 3.5 sacks.

35 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #35 Trey Berry III

 

It's now 35 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025 against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive Back: 

#35 Trey Berry III

Position Linebacker
Height 6-1
Weight 210
Class True Freshman
Hometown Bartow, Fla.
High School Lakeland Christian HS









Prior to Western Carolina: Four-year varsity letter winner on defense … Finished his career with 365 career tackles including 92 solo stops and 17 tackles for loss … Tallied 87 tackles with 33 solo stops as a junior and 80 tackles with 28 solos as a senior … Named first-team All-County at linebacker as a senior … Recorded nine career interceptions including a career-best five as a junior and recovered four career fumbles … A coaches son, played for his father at Lakeland Christian … Was listed as a “hidden gem” by Prep Redzone Florida … Also played basketball and ran track as a prep.

36 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #36 Ja'morri Downing

 

It's now 36 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025 against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive Back: 

#36 Ja'morri Downing

Position Nickelback
Height 6-1
Weight 200
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
High School Stranahan HS










2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in five games, each coming on special teams and as a defensive reserve … Credited with one tackle, making his first career solo stop against VMI (Nov. 16) … Recorded five tackles in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action.

2022 (Freshman): Played in four games, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over VMI (Oct. 1) … Did not record any official statistics.

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.

 

37 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #37 Chris Hobbs

 

It's now 37 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive Cornerback: 

#37 Chris Hobbs

Position Cornerback
Height 6-2
Weight 170
Class True Freshman
Hometown Rabun, Ga.
High School Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School











Prior to Western Carolina: Over his final two seasons as a prep defensive back, tallied 55 tackles in 21 games with 52 solo stops and one for loss … Recorded a pair of interceptions and nine passes defended … Both caused and recovered a fumble in his career … Named second-team all-conference for the 2024 NCISAA DI State Champions.

Personal: Is the son of Kiana Hobbs

 

38 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #38 Canden McGill

 

It's now 38 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive Cornerback: 

#38 Canden McGill

Position Cornerback
Height 5-10
Weight 185
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Shelby, N.C.
High School Shelby HS








2024 (Freshman): Did not see game action, remaining eligible for a redshirt ... Corralled a pass deflection for an interception in WCU's annual Spring Game, credited with five tackles and an additional pass breakup.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on ... Three-year varsity letterwinner and a three-time all-conference on the football gridiron ... Posted 11 career interceptions in the secondary ... Tied the school record for interceptions returned for touchdowns in a single season with three as a sophomore in the state championship season ... High school coach was Mike Wilbanks.

Personal: Full name is Canden Niajay McGill ... Is the son of Ashley A. Deqree and John L. McGill ... Has six siblings, three older and three younger

39 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #39 Julian Quintero

 

It's now 39 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive Safety: 

#39 Julian Quintero

Position Safety
Height 6-0
Weight 190
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown St. Augustine, Fla.
High School St. Augustine HS

2024 (Freshman): Did not see game action, remaining eligible for a redshirt ... Credited with three tackles and recorded an interception in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named first-team All-County defense as a senior … Recorded 112 tackles including two TFLs and a forced fumble as a senior … Part of a 13-1 state runner-up in his final season … Played football, basketball, and ran track as a prep … Started his high school career at Pedro Menendez HS.

Personal: Full name is Julian Andros Quintero ... Is the son of Barbara and Thomas Hornsby ... Hasollege football at Brown University. two siblings - older, Barbara and younger Tomilynn ...

40 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #40 Cain Jefferson

 

It's now 40 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive Lineman: 

#40 Cain Jefferson

Position Defensive End
Height 6-3
Weight 220
Class Freshman
Hometown Decatur, Ga.
High School Columbia HS










2024 (Freshman): Early-enrollee at WCU where he took part in WCU's spring drills ... Credited with four tackles including a pair for loss with a sack in the annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Recorded 70 tackles with an average of 6.4 tackles per game as a senior at Columbia HS, ranked third on the team … Was tied for the team lead with 11 sacks as part of 17 tackles for loss … Named the Columbia High Defensive Player of the Year … Earned first-team All-County honors as a senior.

41 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #41 Beady Waddell V

 

It's now 41 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Linebacker: 

#41 Beady Waddell V

Position Linebacker
Height 6-0
Weight 215
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Summerville, S.C.
High School West Mecklenburg (N.C.) HS









2024 (Freshman): Did not see game action, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Credited with six tackles, including one for loss in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: South Carolina Lowcountry native, was a two-time all-conference and all-state performer at West Mecklenburg High in Charlotte … Finished the 2023 season second in the Queen City 3A/4A Conference with 872 rushing yards and was second defensively with 109 tackles … Three-sport athlete as a prep including football, wrestling, and track … Expected to enroll early in the spring 2024.

Personal: Is the son of Topee and Beady Waddell IV ... His father, a 2023 R.B. Stall Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, coached him in high school ... His uncle Bennitte "Big Moe" Waddell played for the Minnesota Vikings. 

42 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #42 Hank Bodine

 

It's now 42 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Linebacker: 

#42 Hank Bodine

Position Linebacker
Height 6-0
Weight 220
Class Freshman
Hometown Velva, N.D.
High School Velva DAG HS

Prior to Western Carolina:   Was a four-time All-State selection in football, and was part of two state championship teams ... Four-year starting linebacker and running back ... Recorded 406 career tackles, leading his team all four seasons ... Rushed for 2,624 yards and totaled 1,025 receiving yards as a prep ... Was a part of the Class A state championship team where he played running back and linebacker for coach Matt Weidler … Named NDHSCA Class 11A first-team All-State at linebacker, his second all-state selection … Also played baseball, basketball golf, and track as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Kerry Wyche and Tom Bodine, who played football at Western Carolina, the school’s all-time leading tackler with 453 tackles, and was a 2010 inductee into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame ... His uncle, Rob Bodine, played football at Clemson where he was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 2009 ... Is the grandson of Sam Wyche, who played at Furman and the NFL, while also coaching in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.