81 days 'till kickoff - #81 Tyler Klipa

It's now 81 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. 

Today we'll continue to highlight wide receivers.

#81 Tyler Klipa

Class: RS Sophomore
Hometown: Fort Mill, S.C.
High School: Fort Mill HS
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 185
Position: WR




2011 (Freshman): Redshirted

Prior to Western Carolina: Hauled in 33 passes for 511 yards on offense in 2010 while also recording 48 tackles on defense ... Had a cumulative GPA of 3.869.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

WCU 2013 Preseason Depth Chart

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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Looking at Game 2, Virginia Tech

Who:  Virginia Tech Hokies

When:  Saturday, September 7th, 1:30 pm

Where:  Lane Stadium/Worsham Field (65,632) in Blacksburg, VA

Series history:  This will be the first meeting between the Hokies and Catamounts in football

Their conference:  Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

Their coach: Frank Beamer, his record at Virginia Tech: 216-104-2 (26 years)

Last year’s record: 7-6 (4-4)

How they got there: The Hokies finished the regular season at 6-6 in 2012, the worst single season performance they've had since 1992.  Most of the season, the Hokie defense struggled due to a reshuffled secondary, transfers and injuries that resulted in defensive vulnerabilities in pass protection and rushing defense.  The Hokie offense successes, can be mostly attributed to quarterback Logan Thomas. The Hokies finished the season ranked 81st nationally in total offense, 81st in scoring, 79th in rushing and 100th in passing efficiency and were held under 20 points on five occasions.

Offense: Multiple pro-style offense

Defense:  4-2-5

Offensive starters returning/lost:   6 / 5

Defensive starters returning/lost:   9 / 2

Biggest losses:  linebacker Bruce Taylor, tackle Nick Becton; tackle Vinston Painter, fullback Joey Phillips

Watch out for: QB Logan Thomas and  running back J.C. Coleman. Coleman finished 2012 with 492 yards. VT returns three players who earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2012:  defensive end James Gayle, linebacker Jack Tyler & cornerback Antone Exum. Incoming freshman and five-star defensive back prospect Kendall Fuller may have an immediate impact.

Strengths: Logan Thomas’ decision to return to Virginia Tech for his senior season is a real plus for the Hokie's offense.  RS freshmen running backs Trey Edmunds and Chris Mangus could also be the key to help return the Hokie running game back to the level Tech fans are accustomed.

All four starters on the defensive line from last year return and Tech returns experienced players on special teams, including place-kicker Cody Journell; punter A.J. Hughes; snapper Joe St. Germain; punt returner Kyshoen Jarrett; kickoff returner Demitri Knowles

Weaknesses: Last season, Tech went from 35th in total offense in the FBS to 81st, and as a result, the shake up in the offensive coaching staff results in the debut of three new offensive coaches, including offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler. But Loeffler's last season at Auburn ranked the Tigers near the bottom of FBS schools in total scoring (115th of 120), and was only slightly better than VT in rushing (148.4 ypg compared to 145.9 ypg).

Returning QB Thomas certainly needs help with the running game and in his receivers corp.  However, the top three receivers from last season are gone.

The Hokies do return the middle of their offensive line intact, but have no one with sufficient playing experience at tackle, so those are huge holes to fill.


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2014 WCU Basketball Prospect - Kedrick Flomo

Kedrick Flomo

Position: Point guard
Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
High School:  North Forsyth
Height: 6'2"  Weight:175 lbs
Class:2014: (High School)

ESPN ranking:  3 stars



Flomo has drawn interest from 12 schools, that he currently has offers from, including Western Carolina.  Some of the schools with scholarship offers are App State, Chattanooga, ECU, Georgia Southern, Mercer, UNCW and Winthrop.

Kedrick Flomo Recruitment Building Steam

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82 days 'till kickoff - Gary Richardson

It's now 82 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff.

Today we'll continue to highlight wide receivers.

Gary Richardson

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Clayton, N.C.
High School: Clayton H S
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 175
Position: WR

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2014 WCU Football Prospect - Jordan Watson

Jordan Watson 

Position: Offensive tackle
Hometown: Belton, South Carolina
High School:  Belton-Honea Path HS
Height: 6'3" - Weight: 240 lbs
40: 4.9 secs - Shuttle: 4.5
Class: 2014 (High School)

Several schools in addition to Western Carolina have shown interest in Watson.  Furman, Wofford, Presbyterian are all considering, but have not yet offered a scholarship.

View video highlights of Watson here


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2014 WCU Basketball Prospect - Zach McCormick

Zach McCormick

Position: Shooting guard
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School:  Turpin
AAU: King James
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 165 lbs
Class: 2014 (High School)




McCormick was AP Division I honorable mention all-state this past season. He was second-team all-district. He averaged 26.48 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Spartans this past season.

In addition to Western Carolina, he has offers from Winthrop, Miami University, Ohio University, Marshall, Akron, Eastern Kentucky, St. Francis, NKU, Toledo, Kent State, Wright State, East Carolina, Rhode Island, Bufflao, Towson, Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State.

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83 days 'till kickoff - #83 Jeff Moore

It's now 83 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. 

Today we'll continue to highlight wide receivers.

#83 Jeff Moore

Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Broughton HS
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 160
Position: WR




2011 (Freshman): Redshirted ... Named the offensive scout team player of the week following the home opener against Mars Hill.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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2014 WCU Football Prospect - Zac Pollard

Zac Pollard

Position:  Running Back
Hometown: Hudson, North Carolina
High School: South Caldwell
Height:: 5'11"
Weight: 190 lbs
40: 4.57 secs Bench Max: 290 Bench Reps: 23 Squat Max: 350 Shuttle: 4.02 Vertical: 32 inches
GPA: 4
Class: 2014 (High School)


South Caldwell High's junior running back Zac Pollard was the choice as the Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 3,073 yards and 37 touchdowns to lead the Spartans to the Northwestern 3A-4A title.

Pollard has lots of interest from a virarity of schools, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Columbia,  East Carolina, Furman, Wake Forest, Western Carolina and Wofford, but only as one offer as of now, with Columbia.

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2014 WCU Basketball Prospect - Travis Waldroup-Rodriguez

Travis Waldroup-Rodriguez

Position: Small Forward
Hometown: Forest City, N.C.
School: East Rutherford High School
Height: 6-6,
Weight: 195
Class:  2014

2 Star ranked by ESPN recruiting

Several schools besides WCU have shown interest in Travis. Charleston, Davidson, and Wofford are on that list. but according to reports, his interest in Western is high.  As best we can determine, and at this time, only Western Carolina has offered a scholarship.

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84 days 'till kickoff - #84 Will Roseborough

It's now 84 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. 

Today we'll continue to highlight wide receivers.

#84 Will Roseborough

Class: RS Sophomore
Hometown: Irmo, S.C.
High School: Ben Lippen HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 200
Position: WR




2011 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in two games near the end of the season, making his collegiate debut at nationally-ranked Appalachian State ... Made his first career reception against the archrival Mountaineers ... Named to WCU's Dean's List. 2010 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt ... Tabbed the squad's offensive scout team player of the week following the Tusculum game.

Prior to Western: Played four seasons of prep football at both Dutch Fork HS before finishing his prep career at Ben Lippen High for head coach Reggie Shaw ... Was a Football Academic Honor Roll honoree at BLHS and received Academic Achievement awards from DFHS ... During his four-year career, accounted for 80 receptions for 1,406 yards and 13 touchdowns ... Hauled in a career-best 30 passes as a senior for a career-high 541 yards ... Was named to the South Carolina squad in the North-South All-Star game ... Of the field, attended the 2009 South Carolina Boys State held at the Univ. of South Carolina during the summer of 2009. 

Personal: Is the son of Dwayne and Alexis Jenkins ... Has a younger brother, Anthony Jenkins ... Has ties to the SoCon as his first cousin, Josh Roseborough, is a defensive lineman at Wofford.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations


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85 days 'till kickoff - Terryon Robinson

It's now 85 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff.

 - No current football player is assigned to #85, so we'll highlight one of our incoming freshmen -

Terryon Robinson

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Decatur, GA
High School: Decatur H S
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 195 lbs
Position: WR




Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity team member at Decatur High ... Finished with 94 catches for 1,660 yards and 22 receiving touchdowns ... Averaged 17.7 yards per reception during his career ... Despite nursing a sprained ankle most of his senior season, finished with 44 receptions for 480 yards and five touchdowns ... Also had two TDs on punt returns and seven interceptions as a cornerback ... Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's All-Region 6-AAA squad ... Played in the DeKalb County Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game ... Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Lionel & Anita Robinson ... Has two brothers, Dominicus and Michael, and a sister, Andrea.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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Daniel O'Connell Joins Strength & Conditioning staff

Daniel O'Connell has joined the Western Carolina Athletic Performance staff (formally known as Strength & Conditioning) as an Athletic Performance Assistant.

O'Connell's duties involve assisting with football, basketball, track and women's soccer, as well as, day-to-day weight room duties.

O'Connell brings the Athletic Performance staff to three, which includes Director of Athletic Performance Evan Barr and Assistant Director of Athletic Performance, Nick White. O'Connell will also be pursuing a Master of Health Sciences (M.H.S.) degree while at Western Carolina.

O'Connell is a 2011 graduate from the University of Rhode Island.

Read more about O'Connell here


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Looking at Game 1, Middle Tennessee State

Who: Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

When: Thursday, August. 29,  TBA

Where: Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium (31,788) in Murfreesboro, TN

Series history: The Catamounts and Blue Raiders have met four times previously, all between 1973 and 1981. The series is tied between the two at 2-2, with both Catamount victories coming on the road.

Their conference: Conference USA (FBS)

The coach:  Rick Stockstill, record at Middle Tennessee: 43-44/8th year

Last year’s record: 8-4 (6-2, tied for 2d Sun Belt)

How they got there:  Following a 2-10 season in 2011, Middle Tennessee bounced back with one of the nation’s best turnarounds. The Raiders’ 6 win increase from the previous year,  places MTSU with both Ohio State and Kent State for the biggest win increases in the 2012 season.  Middle Tennessee State is one of the teams making a move from the Sun Belt to Conference USA (effective 1 July 2013, I believe) this season.  The C-USA move is viewed as a step up in the FBS conference standings from the SB.

Offense: Multiple

Defense: 4-3 Multiple

Offensive starters returning/lost: 9/2

Defensive starters returning/lost: 8/3

2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Defense: 188.25 (84, 8)
Pass Defense: 252.58 (90, 5)
Total Defense: 440.83 (92, 8)
Scoring Defense: 28.00 (62, 4)
Rushing Offense: 176.67 (4th in Sun Belt)
Passing Offense: 216.08 (77, 8)
Total Offense: 392.75 (66, 5)
Scoring Offense: 26.58 (75, 6)

Biggest losses: WR Anthony Amos; RB Benny Cunningham; C Micah James; K Carlos Lopez;

Watch out for:  Logan Kilgore, QB, 2,571 yards passing;  Jordan Parker, RB, 851 yards rushing;  Kyle Griswould, WR 531 yards receiving;  Craig Allen, LB, 82 tackles

Strengths:  MTSU should have one of the more high powered offenses in C-USA this season, thanks to quarterback Logan Kilgore, running back Jordan Parker and wide receiver, Kyle Griswould.  Kilgore is a three year starter at QB, and has become one of the most productive quarterbacks in the Middle Tennessee State record books. In 2012, he threw for 2,571 yards and 16 touchdowns. Parker is a sophomore and finished 2012 with 851 yards rushing, on 166 carries. He may just be better this season.  Kyle Griswould, caught 45 passes last season, for a total of 531 yards, making him the top receiver on the Blue Raider's roster.   These 3 players bode nothing good for the WCU defense, which ranked last in the SoCon last season in rushing defense.

Weaknesses: The Blue Raiders will be able to score on their opponents, however, last season they had a habit of giving up points just as quickly as they scored. (Does that sound familiar? kind of like the Catamount defense in 2012). Middle Tennessee ended 2012 ranked eighth in the Sun Belt in rushing defense, but they do have 8 starters returning, so this will be a more experienced defensive unit on the field in 2013 for MTSU.  However, even with the increased experience factor, they will still have difficulty stopping the run in the CAA.  With this being the first game of the season, the Cats can only hope to face a defensive unit that has not jelled.

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86 days 'till kickoff - #86 Aaron Pridemore

It's now 86 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. 

Today, we continue to highlight Wide Receivers.

#86 Aaron Pridemore

Class: Freshman

Hometown: Duncan, S.C.

High School: Byrnes HS

Height / Weight: 5-10 / 170

Position: WR


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2014 WCU Football Prospect - Tre Herndon

Tre Herndon

Position: Cornerback
Hometown: Ooltewah, Tenn.
School: East Hamilton High School
Height: 6-0
Weight: 173
Class:  2014



While not ranked by Rivals, Herndon has drawn interest from many schools, and has scholarship offers from Western Carolina, and six others, to include App State, Chattanooga, Memphis, Middle Tenn State, and N. Illinois,

View Herndon's Video Highlights


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2014 WCU Basketball Prospect - Nicholas Harris

Nicholas Harris


Position:  Power Forward/Center
Hometown: Atlanta Georgia
High School:  St Pius X School
Height: 6'9"
Weight:  220 lbs
Class: 2014




Harris has offers from Western Carolina, Tenn. Tech, Kennesaw State, Charleston, and Buffalo.

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87 days 'till kickoff - #87 Jamil James

It's now 87 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. 

Today, we'll highlight Wide Receivers.

#87 Jamil James



Class: Senior
Hometown: Wilmington, N.C.
High School: New Hanover HS
Height / Weight: 5-9 / 160
Position: WR




2012 (Junior): Played in seven games with two appearances in the starting lineup ... Made his debut in the third game of the season against Wofford ... Started his first game in college in week four against Samford, taking a hand-off on a jet sweep for a six-yard gain on WCU's first offensive series to open the game ... Finished with three combined rushes for 17 yards including a career-long 10-yard rush against The Citadel ... Caught his first pass for a 30-yard gain at Alabama.

2011 (Sophomore): Did not see game action ... Spent time on the WCU scout team.

2010 (Freshman): Joined the WCU football team during 2010 spring drills ... Was named the squad's offensive scout team player of the week prior to the road win at The Citadel.

Prior to Western Carolina: Earned All-MidEastern Conference football accolades as a senior ... Was additionally tabbed second team All-Area on offesne by the Star News out of Wilmington, N.C. ... Earned WWAY-TV's Play of the Week on Oct. 16 with an over-the-shoulder touchdown catch.

 Courtesy WCU Media Relations


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2013 Western Carolina Baseball Season Review

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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2014 WCU Football Prospect - Antonio Holloway

Antonio Holloway
Position: Cornerback
Hometown: Decatur, Georgia
High School: Columbia
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 178 lbs
Class: 2014 (High School)

2 star Rivals ranking


Several schools are interested in Holloway and have offered scholarships, including Western Carolina, App State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, and Old Dominion.

View Antonio Holloway's video highlights here


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88 days 'till kickoff - Daniel Nash

It's now 88 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff.

 - No current football player is assigned to #88, so we'll highlight one of our incoming freshmen - and continue with the Defensive Line

Daniel Nash

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Holly Springs, N.C.
High School: Holly Springs HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 215
Position: DL






Prior to Western Carolina: Earned All-Tri-Nine Conference accolades as a senior, garnering first team defense honors ... Selected as the Holly Springs High Defensive Player of the Year ... Played as a defensive lineman and linebacker as a prep ... Was named the overall MVP as a junior at the National Underclassmen combine held in Greensboro.

Personal: Full name is Daniel Lawrence Nash ... Is the son of Evelyn Worthy and step-father, Patrick Worthy ... Was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. ... Has an older brother, Michael Bayon Jr ... Is a member of the media ministry at his church, Wake Chapel, where he operates the boom camera during Sunday services.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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2014 WCU Football Prospect - Will Anderson

Will Anderson

Position: Pro-style quarterback
Hometown: Norcross, Georgia
High School: Lassiter
Height: 6'1"
Weight:190 lbs
Class: 2014



Anderson has received interest from Western Carolina, Furman, Mercer, Middle Tenn. State,  Samford, Ga State and Holy Cross.  He currently has offers from Mercer, Ga State and Holy Cross.

Video Highlights

Wesleyan QB Headed To Lassiter


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89 days 'till kickoff - #89 Clark Eyers

It's now 89 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff.

#89 Clark Eyers

Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Dunn, N.C.
High School: Midway HS
Height / Weight: 6-5 / 225
Position: TE




2012 (Freshman): Redshirted.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named All-County as a team captain as a senior ... Was ranked the No. 47 recruit in the state of North Carolina and was the No. 73 tight end in the nation according to 247Sports, which also had him as a two-star prospect ... Played both offense and defense as a prep ... Was invited to, and attended, junior days at Georgia, Maryland and North Carolina ... Was an honor roll student in the classroom.

Personal: Full name is Clark Scott Eyers ... Is the son of Scott Eyers ... Has a sister, Cherilyn ... Was born in Dallas, Tex., and then moved to Tampa Bay, Fla., before moving to Dunn, N.C.

Courtesy WCU Sports Information

2014 WCU Football Prospect - Tyler Newhouse

Tyler Newhouse

Position: Offensive center
Hometown: Wake Forest, North Carolina
High School: Wake Forest-Rolesville
Height:  6'2"
Weight: 261 lbs
Class: 2014 (High School)



Newhouse has received interest from a number of schools including Western Carolina, Appalachian State, Charlotte, Cornell, Elon, Kent State, Navy, and Wofford.

No offers at this time from WCU or the other schools named.

Video Highlights here






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90 days 'till kickoff - Kelvin Ume

It's now 90 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. - No current football player is assigned to #90, so we'll highlight one of our incoming freshmen - we'll continue with the Defensive Line

 Kelvin Ume

Class: Freshman

Hometown: Acworth, GA

High School: North Cobb HS

Height / Weight: 6-3 / 260 lbs.

Position: DL



Prior to Western Carolina: Split time along the defensive line as a defensive end and tackle ... Came to the United States from Nigeria in the early 2000's and did not play football until his freshman year of high school in Ohio ... Finished with 85 tackles as a senior, leading the North Cobb Warriors to an 11-3 season and berth in the Class AAAAA state semifinals ... Posted a 16-tackle game in a win over Valdosta, helping limit the opposing offense to just 22 rushing yards ... Was an honorable mention on the All-County team and was selected to the Cobb County All-Star Senior Bowl.

Personal: Full name is Chibuzor Kelvin Ume ... Is the son of Chi-Chi Ume-Love ... Has a brother, Kenny. 

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

SoCon Adds ETSU, Mercer and VMI

"East Tennessee State University, Mercer University and the Virginia Military Institute have been extended invitations to join the Southern Conference beginning July 1, 2014, SoCon Commissioner John Iamarino announced from the league’s spring meetings Thursday."

"ETSU and Mercer have accepted the invitations to join the conference next year, while VMI is expected to formally ratify joining the league Friday when its Board of Visitors meets. ETSU and Mercer currently compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, while VMI is in the Big South Conference."

"ETSU and VMI are former SoCon members. VMI departed the league in 2003, while ETSU’s final season in the conference was 2004-05."

“The addition of these three institutions will solidify the Southern Conference and ensure our position as a vibrant league with a bright future,” Iamarino said. “We are delighted to invite three quality institutions, two of which are returning to a home they previously enjoyed for many years.

“Our membership is excited about rekindling old rivalries and establishing new ones. Most importantly, we've been able to grow while not extending our geographic footprint to an extreme extent.”

Courtesy SoConSports.com

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91 days 'till kickoff - #91 Brian Johnson

It's now 91 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. 

Today, we'll continue with the Defensive Line. 

#91 Brian Johnson

Class: RS Senior
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Myers Park HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 250
Position: DL




2012 (Redshirt Junior): One of just four players to start all 11 games, and one of three to do so along the defensive line ... Finished the season with 36 total tackles, the most among WCU's defensive linemen ... Tallied 17 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss ... Recorded a career-high eight tackles against nationally-ranked Georgia Southern ... Credited with three quarterback hurries and a pass break-up.

2011 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 10 of the 11 games making eight starts at defensive end ... Missed the Georgia Southern game due to a mandatory suspension after being ejected early in the second quarter of the Mars Hill game ... Finished with 29 tackles including 13 solo stops and 7.5 tackles for loss - a mark that ranked him second on the squad - and 1.5 sacks, third on the squad ... Forced two fumbles including one against Mars Hill and one in the season finale against Coastal Carolina ... Credited with three quarterback hurries on the year ... Matched his career-high with six tackles against Furman ... Set a career benchmark with four solo stops including for loss at Samford, adding two TFLs at nationally-ranked Appalachian State matching a career high ... Was injured with a concussion late in 2012 spring drills, missing WCU's annual Spring Game.

2010 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 games on the season making two starts including his first-ever appearance in the season opener at North Carolina State ... Finished with 28 tackles including 12 solo stops and four tackles behind the line of scrimmage ... Recorded two sacks including one against Tusculum and one at Elon ... Credited with five quarterback hurries and one pass break-up from his defensive end position ... Had a strong showing in the final practice of the 2010 spring drills, halting a would-be drive by the offensive unit with a TFL.

2009 (Freshman): Redshirted ... In WCU's annual Spring Game, recorded a quarterback sack for a safety.

Prior to Western: Was a two-time All-Southwestern 4-A Conference selection for head coach Jim Ruark at Myers Park HS ... Listed as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com ... Amassed 33 tackles for loss, including 16 sacks, in his final two seasons as a prep ... Posted 21 TFLs and 11 sacks as a senior earning All-Mecklenburg County plaudits ... Added 33 career quarterback hurries, in addition to recovering five fumbles, forcing a pair of fumbles and blocking three field goals ... Named Most Improved defensive player following his junior season.

Personal: Full name is Brian Christopher Johnson ... Is the son of Brian Christopher Johnson and Elizabeth Johnson ... Has two siblings, Olivia and Austin.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

Catamounts Playing Summer League Basebal

Catamounts Playing Summer League Baseball:

Catamount Baseball Home

Name	Team Name	Summer League Name	Web Site
#1 Bradley Strong	Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox	Cape Cod League	Red Sox Web Site
#2 Aaron Attaway	San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Blues	California Collegiate League	Blues Web Site
#3 J.D. Long	Winchester (Va.) Royals	Valley League	Royals Web Site
#5 Luke Gragg	Winchester (Va.) Royals	Valley League	Royals Web Site
#6 Bryce Danielson	Waynesboro (Va.) Generals	Valley League	Generals Web Site
#8 Dale Urquhart Jr.	Waynesboro (Va.) Generals	Valley League	Generals Web Site
#11 Adam Martin	St. Cloud (Minn.) Rox	Northwoods League	Rox Web Site
#12 Cody Jones	San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Blues	California Collegiate League	Blues Web Site
#14 Dykota Spiess	Thomasville Hi-Toms	Coastal Plain League	Hi-Toms Web Site
#16 Colton Davis	Forest City Owls	Coastal Plain League	Owls Web Site
#17 William Frazier	Lake Norman Copperheads	Southern Collegiate League	Copperheads Web Site
#18 Reece Strong	Kernersville Bulldogs	Carolina-Virginia Collegiate League	Bulldogs Web Site
#19 Danny Schneider	Lake Norman Copperheads	Southern Collegiate League	Copperheads Web Site
#21 Danny Bermudez	Forest City Owls	Coastal Plain League	Owls Web Site
#26 Tyler Powell	San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Blues	California Collegiate League	Blues Web Site
#27 Jacob Hoyle	Morehead City Marlins	Coastal Plain League	Marlins Web Site
#29 Thomas Young	Waynesboro (Va.) Generals	Valley League	Generals Web Site
#36 Alex Barr	Kernersville Bulldogs	Carolina-Virginia Collegiate League	Bulldogs Web Site
#45 Taylor Sandefur	Waynesboro (Va.) Generals	Valley League	Generals Web Site
#46 Jeremy Null	Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox	Cape Cod League	Red Sox Web Site
#47 Jonathan Waszak	Winchester (Va.) Royals	Valley League	Royals Web Site

Courtesy WCU Media Relations

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92 days 'till kickoff - #92 Blake Metcalf

It's now 92 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff.

#92 Blake Metcalf 

Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Asheville, N.C.
High School: A.C. Reynolds HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 170
Position: P/K 




Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-time all-conference and All-Western North Carolina selection as a kicker ... Booted a career-long field goal of 45 yards during his senior season, surpassing his previous long of 37 set during his junior season ... Set the record for touchbacks on kickoffs in consecutive seasons in his final two years as a prep. Personal: Full name is Randall Blake Metcalf ... Is the son of Randy and Robbie Metcalf ... Has three older siblings; Landon, Justin and Alyssa.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations


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93 days 'till kickoff - #93 Caleb Hawkins

It's now 93 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Floyd Stadium, home of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State on August 29th in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue with the 100 day football countdown to kickoff. 

#93 Caleb Hawkins



Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Durham, N.C.
High School: Northern Durham HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 220
Position: DL



2012 (Freshman): Started the first five games of his collegiate career before coming in as a reserve along the defensive line the final five games, playing in 10 of the 11 seasonal games ... Recorded 22 tackles including 14 solo stops including 2.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss ... Tallied a career-high six tackles - all solo hits - at nationally-ranked Wofford ... Credited with two quarterback hurries and recovered a fumble forced by classmate Sertonuse Harris in the end zone for a touchdown against Samford.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named the Defensive Lineman of the Year in the PAC-6 Conference as a senior... Was additionally named to the All-PAC 6 post-season honorary squad at defensive end ... Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Caleb Xavier Akinseye Hawkins ... Is the son of William Peebles and Moya Hawkins.

Courtesy WCU Media Relations


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