It's now 21 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 29, 2026, against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 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 highlight two (2) Catamount players currently assigned to #21 (one offense, one defense) on the WCU Preseason Roster:
#21 Joshua Balloon
Position: Running Back
Personal: Is the son of Sameese and Joshua Balloon Sr.
Height: 5-8
Weight: 155
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High School: Gaither HS
Weight: 155
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High School: Gaither HS
Prior to Western Carolina: Listed as one of the top running backs in Florida in 2025-26 … Rushed for 849 yards on 57 carries with 13 rushing touchdowns as a senior … Added 10 receptions for 142 yards out of the backfield, scoring twice … Two-way player as a prep, adding 81 total tackles, including 56 solo stops, as a senior, with three sacks … Forced three fumbles and returned a pair of fumbles for touchdowns … Scored 102 points as a senior.
Personal: Is the son of Sameese and Joshua Balloon Sr.
#21 Nassor Ashenafi
Position: Nickelback
Height: 5-9
Weight: 170
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High School: Mallard Creek (N.C.) HS
Personal: 2025 (Freshman): Saw action in four games on special teams and as a defensive reserve, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Credited with three total tackles, all solo stops … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over Furman (Oct. 11), recording his first career tackle against the Paladins … Added solo stops at Chattanooga (Nov. 1) and against nationally-ranked Mercer (Nov. 8).
Prior to Western Carolina: Spent two years at Mallard Creek High in Charlotte, moving to North Carolina from Washington, D.C., in 2023 … Recorded an interception in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game … Played at Archbishop Carroll High as a two-way player at running back and defensive back … Also ran track as a prep, winning a state championship.
Personal: is the son of Vakisla Milliner and Amenemhet Ashenafi.
Weight: 170
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High School: Mallard Creek (N.C.) HS
Personal: 2025 (Freshman): Saw action in four games on special teams and as a defensive reserve, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Credited with three total tackles, all solo stops … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over Furman (Oct. 11), recording his first career tackle against the Paladins … Added solo stops at Chattanooga (Nov. 1) and against nationally-ranked Mercer (Nov. 8).
Prior to Western Carolina: Spent two years at Mallard Creek High in Charlotte, moving to North Carolina from Washington, D.C., in 2023 … Recorded an interception in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game … Played at Archbishop Carroll High as a two-way player at running back and defensive back … Also ran track as a prep, winning a state championship.
Personal: is the son of Vakisla Milliner and Amenemhet Ashenafi.
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