Pope drafted by Pirates

Brett Pope selected by the Pirates in the MLB Draft

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

80 Days 'till Kickoff - #80 Charles Johnson

It's now 80 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. 

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight wide receiver....

#80 Charles Johnson

Class: RS Sophmore
Hometown: Wake Forest, N.C.
High School: Heritage HS
Height / Weight: 5-8 / 170
Position: WR

2015 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt ... Named to the 2015-16 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was an offensive at-large All-CAP Eight Conference selection while also playing in the defensive secondary ... Also played basketball as a prep.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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Sammons drafted by Twins

Bryan Sammons was the first pick of the 8th round by the Minnesota Twins in today's MLB Draft!

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations

81 Days 'till Kickoff - #81 Jacob Robinson

It's now 81 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight wide receiver....

 #81 Jacob Robinson

Class: RS Sophomore
Hometown: Davidson, N.C.
High School: Davidson Day School
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 180
Position: WR


2015 (Freshman): Redshirted.

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner ...Played wide receiver and defensive back for Davidson Day ... Posted 1,392 receiving yards on 81 catches over his final two seasons as a prep ... Scored 16 career touchdowns ... Recorded 162 career tackles including 73 solo stops ... Tallied 11 career interceptions and six pass break-ups ... Had a three-star ranking from Scout.com.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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82 Days 'till Kickoff - #82 Tyler Sexton

It's now 82 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight tight end....

#82 Tyler Sexton

Class: Senior
Hometown: Flat Rock, N.C.
High School: East Henderson HS
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 260
Position: TE


2015 (Junior): Appeared in 10 of the team's 11 games with eight starts at tight end ... Suffered a broken arm at Texas A&M (Nov. 14) that forced him to miss the regular season finale at VMI and sidelined him much of spring drills ... Finished fourth on the team in both receptions (31) and receiving yards (385), averaging 12.4 yards per catch ... Was tied for second on the team with three receiving TDs ... Posted receptions in all but one game he played ... Opened the year with back-to-back, five-catch outings against Mars Hill (Sept. 5) and at The Citadel (Sept. 12) ... Caught a career-best six passes for a career-high 102 yards in the win against Samford (Oct. 24) ... Collected first team All-Southern Conference honors from both the league's head coaches and voting media.

2014 (Sophomore): Saw action in all 12 of the team’s games with three starts at tight end … Caught eight passes for a career-best 93 yards on the season with three receiving touchdowns … Hauled in his first career touchdown on a 31-yard strike over the middle at Presbyterian (Oct. 4) … Also recorded scores against The Citadel (Oct. 25) and VMI (Nov. 15) at home … Playing for the Purple squad, caught two passes for eight yards in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2013 (Freshman): Played in eight games with two appearances among the starting lineup ... Made his collegiate debut at ACC-foe, Virginia Tech, before starting the final two games of the season against Furman and at Appalachian State ... Recorded four receptions for a career-high 91 yards on the season, all coming in the season-finale at Appalachian State ... Tallied a career-long reception of 28 yards against the Mountaineers ... Hauled in a 49-yard catch over the middle to spur the game-winning drive for the Gold Squad in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played both tight end and defensive end for head coach - and former Catamount - Brett Chappell ... Was a two-time All-Western North Carolina Athletic Conference selection as a junior and senior ... Named a Times-News All-Area selection ... As a senior, caught 35 passes for 779 yards and 18 touchdowns, a school record for a tight end ... Also credited with 35 tackles on defense ... Named the TE MVP as a junior at the National Underclassmen combine ... Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Aaron Tyler Sexton ... Is the son of Charles and Jodi Sexton.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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83 Days 'till Kickoff - #83 Ian Berryman

It's now 83 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a punter....

#83 Ian Berryman

Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Marietta, Ga.
High School: Fellowship Christian School
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 205
Position: P

2015 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in all 11 games for the Catamounts as the starting punter ... Punted 58 times for 2,534 yards, averaging 43.7 yards per kick -- the second-best average in the SoCon and eighth nationally ... Booted 14 punts of 50-or-more yards ... Downed 22 of his 58 kicks inside the opponent 20-yard line with just five touchbacks ... First career punt came against Mars Hill (Sept. 5), punting five times in the game with all five downed inside the Lions' 20-yard line ... Punted a career-high 10 times at Tennessee (Sept. 19) ... Crested 60-yards on punts three-times including a career-long boot of 65 yards against Samford (Oct. 24) ... Named first team All-Southern Conference by the league's head coaches and second team All-SoCon by the voting media ... Was also selected to the SoCon All-Freshman team ... Was a national finalist for the STATS FCS Freshman of the Year ... Was a second team All-America selection by College Sports Madness ... Listed on the College Sporting News "Fabulous FIfty" All-America squad as a punter ... Named to the 2015-16 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2014 (Freshman): Redshirted.

Prior to Western Carolina: Though he played predominantly at the punter position, also has experience as a wide receiver and quarterback as a prep ... Was a first team all-region selection as a punter as a senior, also earning second team all-state plaudits from the Cedrick Oglesby Kicking Academy ... Ranked fourth on Kornblue Kicking's Fab Top 50 Punters rankings ... Also played soccer as a prep for a ranked Fellowship Christian boys program. Personal: Intends to major in athletic training.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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Important Upcoming Dates in Catamount Football:

Important Upcoming Dates in Catamount Football:

Friday, June 30 -- Catamount Football season ticket renewal deadline; Catamount Club Renewal deadline
Friday, July 14 -- The WCU Great Smokies Invitational at The Ridges Golf Club
Tuesday, July 18 -- Southern Conference Football Media Day in Spartanburg, S.C.
Monday, July 31 -- Catamount Football Student-Athletes Report
Tuesday, Aug. 1 -- First scheduled practice of 2017 preseason (helmet only)
Saturday, Aug. 5 -- First scheduled practice in full pads
Sunday, Aug. 6 -- Western Carolina's Media / Photo Day
Friday, Aug. 18 -- Western Carolina University Freshman Move-In Day
Monday, Aug. 21 -- First day of classes for the fall semester; single-game football tickets on-sale
Saturday, Sept. 2 -- 2017 Catamount Football season-opener at Hawai'i
Friday, Sept. 8 -- 13th annual Bob Waters Memorial Golf Tournament at The Maggie Valley Club
Saturday, Sept. 9 -- 2017 Catamount Football home-opener vs. Davidson in Cullowhee, N.C.
Friday, Oct. 27 -- "The Mutt" Catamount Football Golf Classic at the Laurel Ridge Country Club



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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84 Days 'till Kickoff - #84 Owen Cosenke

It's now 84 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a tight end....

#84 Owen Cosenke

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Aldie, Va.
High School: Fork Union Military Academy / John Champe HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 - 220 lbs.
Position: TE

Prior to Western Carolina: Played for head coach Jason Dawson at John Champe HS in Aldie, Va., before finishing his prep career at Fork Union Military where he played for head coach Col. John Shuman ... At John Champe HS, garnered first team all-conference and second team All-Region honors as a senior as a part of a conference championship team in just the Knights' fourth year of existence ... Garnered MaxPreps Offensive Player of the Game accolades in a game against Dominion (Oct. 16, 2015) ... Recorded 35 catches for over 400 yards and four touchdowns in his final season ... Also played basketball at John Champe HS.

Personal: Full name is Owen Mattingly Cosenke ... Is the son of Kelly and Stephen Cosenke.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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85 Days 'till Kickoff - #85 Randall Emerson

It's now 85 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a tight end....

#85 Randall Emerson

Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Wilmington, N.C.
High School: Hoggard HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 210
Position: TE

2015 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action ... Named to the 2015-16 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll. Prior to Western Carolina: Played both football and basketball at Hoggad High, earning Star News Player of the Week on the gridiron as a senior after throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass on a first quarter trick play and added an 8-yard TD reception as a part of a six-catch, career-high 93 yard receiving day.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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86 Days 'till Kickoff - #86 Tyran Reynolds

It's now 86 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a wide receiver.....

#86 Tyran Reynolds

Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Crystal River, Fla.
High School: Crystal River HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 200
Position: WR


2015 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in nine games as a reserve wide receiver and on special teams ... Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Mars Hill (Sept. 5), recording his first collegiate catch for a 10-yard gain in the win. 2014 (Freshman): Redshirted ... Playing for the Purple squad, caught two passes for 41 yards and what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: A versatile athlete who played quarterback, running back, wide receiver and corner back in high school ... Earned All-County honors as a wide receiver after recording 812 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns as a senior ... Played in the 2014 National Underclassmen Combine (NUC) All-South Senior Game, catching a game-high five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown ... Named the West Offensive MVP in the NUC All-Star game ... Named Mr. Crystal River High ... Also played basketball as a prep ... High school coach was Nate Varnadore.

Personal: Is the son of Ryan Reynolds and Fatima Proctor with stepmother Meryl Reynolds ... Has two siblings, brother Bilial Jenkins and sister Sade Jenkins.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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Director of the Catamount Club

Good day Catamount Nation,

I write you today to update you on the search for the Assistant Athletic Director / Director of the Catamount Club position. My staff and I undertook a nationwide search to find the best person to assume leadership of our fund raising efforts, a search that I believe I owed to the institution, our alumni, our supporters, our coaches, and most of all, our student-athletes. I spent significantly more time on this search process than any other search I have undertaken while at WCU; I reached out to colleagues at other institutions as well as cold-calling individuals whose background and experience peaked my interest. When the searching was over, I settled on a handful of individuals to speak with, at length and on multiple occasions, about our position, their desire, and their "fit", to become part of the Catamount family. After spending many hours with potential candidates, it became obvious to me that the top candidate to assume leadership of the Catamount Club was already on our staff, and regardless of the quantity of interviews I might schedule, that fact would not change.

There were several main qualities for which I was searching: a proven leader; someone with experience in fund raising, athletics, and budgets; and an individual who "FIT" within Catamount Nation. In Ryan Jones, I have found an individual who not only meets, but also surpasses, my wildest expectations with each of these characteristics. Ryan has done a tremendous job during this interim period in leading the Catamount Club, and I know he will be the leader I was searching for from the beginning of this process.

Therefore, I want to share with you that I officially offered the position to Ryan this morning, and I am happy to report he has agreed to become the new Assistant Athletic Director / Director of the Catamount Club! I look forward to working with Ryan, and his staff, to continue to move the Catamount Club forward in the coming years, in our continuing efforts to support the young people who represent all of us so well.

Please join me in welcoming Ryan, and his wife Meredith, into this new role.

Go Cats!
Randy Eaton
Director of WCU Athletics

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Ryan Jones joined the Western Carolina Department of Athletics as an Assistant Director of the Catamount Club in July 2014, advancing to the Associate Director position during the summer of 2015. He came to Catamount athletics following a two-year stint working at the University of Tennessee in the Tennessee Fund as a development assistant.

During his time in the UT Athletic Department, Jones prospected and cultivated supporters to be engaged with UT Athletics through their annual fund and capital campaign, managed individual football game premium seat sales, and planned multiple donor events amongst other additional responsibilities.

Prior to UT, Jones served stints in athletic departments at Shaw University and North Carolina State University in a myriad of roles, including sports information, marketing, compliance, and event management.

The Raleigh, N.C. native holds a B.S. in Sport Management from North Carolina State University where he was Valedictorian, and a Master of Business Administration and Master of Sport Management from the University of Tennessee. Jones is married to the former Meredith Meadows of Dandridge, Tenn., a University of Tennessee graduate.

87 Days 'till Kickoff - #87 Destry Barnwell

It's now 87 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a punter......

#87 Destry Barnwell

Class: Senior
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Hough HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 190
Position: P

2015 (Sophomore): Traveled and dressed for each of the team's 11 games, but only saw action in one game after the preseason battle for the starting punter position ... Punted one time, pooching a 32-yard kick and downing it inside the Mars Hill 20-yard line in the home opener ... Named to the 2015-16 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2014 (Freshman): Appeared in 11 of the team's 12 games on the season as the first string punter ... Punted 53 times with an average of 39.8 yards per kick, downing 11 inside the opponents' 20-yard line ... Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at USF (Aug. 30), punting a career-high eight times for 311 yards ... Connected on the first 50-yard punt of his career against Catawba (Sept. 13), a 58-yard boot ... Tallied six, 50-or-longer punts on the season including a career-long 61-yard kick against Chattanooga (Nov. 1) ... Finished with two tackles on the year including a solo stop at Furman (Sept. 27) and an assisted tackle at Mercer (Oct. 18).

Prior to Western Carolina: In 12 games as a senior in 2013, punted 33 times for 1,358 yards and an average of 41.2 per punt ... Named All-I-Meck 4-AConference and the I-Meck 4-A Conference Punter of the Year ... Also earned Punter of the Year accolades in the 3rd Annual Greater Charlotte Football Awards Banquet ... Punted 45 times in 11 games as a junior for 1,614 yards, averaging 35.9 yards en route to earning all-conference plaudits ... In his final two years as a prep, averaged 38.1 yards per punt ... Held a two-star ranking from 247Sports.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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88 Days 'till Kickoff - #88 Brad Swan, Jr.

It's now 88 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a wide receiver ......

#88 Brad Swan, Jr.

Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Dallas, Ga.
High School: North Paulding HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 180
Position: WR

2015 (Freshman): Redshirted. Prior to Western Carolina: Hauled in 61 catches for 915 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... Had over 100 yards receiving in the Georgia Northwest Senior Bowl ... High school coach was Scott Jones.

Personal: Is the son of Brad Swan, Sr. and Shenika ... Has two brothers, Benjamin and C.J.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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89 Days 'till Kickoff - #89 Lavell Ellerbe

It's now 89 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a wide receiver ......

#89 Lavell Ellerbe

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Rockingham, N.C.
High School: Richmond Senior HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 195
Position: WR


Prior to Western Carolina: Finished his prep career with 1,485 receiving yards on 82 career receptions, averaging 18.1 yards per catch ... Recorded 18 career receiving touchdowns ... Set four school records as a senior: 202 receiving yards in a single-game, breaking his own record; total yardage in a single season (1,259 yds); 67 seasonal receptions; and 16 touchdown catches ... Earned All-Southeastern 4-A conference plaudits ... High school coach was Mike Castellano.

Personal: Full name is Lavell Skydrel Tyree Ellerbe ... Is the son of Jimmy and Wendy Ellerbe ... Has two brothers ... Is related to Dannell Ellerbe, a 2009 undrafted free agent who plays for the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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90 Days 'till Kickoff - Tyler Carlton

It's now 90 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

#90 is not currently assigned, so we'll highlight another assistant coach......

Tyler Carlton


Last College: Tulsa
Position: Assistant Coach / Wide Receivers
Graduated: 2009

Tyler Carlton joined Western Carolina's coaching staff in July, 2016 as the wide receivers coach. Carlton came to Cullowhee from head coach Mark Speir's alma mater, Clemson, where he spent four seasons under renowned offensive coordinator, Chad Morris.

Carlton inherits a strong Catamount wide receiving corps., that accounted for 18 of the team's 21 receiving touchdowns in 2014 including a team-high 11 from Spearman Robinson. The Catamounts ranked second in the Southern Conference in passing offense, averaging 219.2 yards per game through the air. Terryon Robinson paced the league with a 5.1 reception per game average, securing a team-best 56 catches for 643 yards. Karnorris Benson, who tied the school record with 12 receiving TDs in 2013, joined the two Robinsons with 500-plus yards, catching 40 passes for 519 receiving yards a season ago.

Serving as an offensive analyst at Clemson, Calrton's duties included assisting the offensive staff on a day-to-day basis while also aiding in video breakdown of opponents. Carlton also served as a video graduate assistant at Clemson, helping the Tigers to 42 victories, four top-25 final rankings and an ACC Championship in 2011. He was also a part of four bowl appearances with the Tigers including a pair of Orange Bowls in both 2012 and defeating Ohio State in 2014, as well as wins over LSU in the 2012 Chic-Fila-A Bowl and over Oklahoma in the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl.

Originally from Sapulpa, Okla., Carlton played collegiately at Tulsa as both a wide receiver and punter from 2004-06 where he was a member of the 2005 Conference USA championship squad. He also earned a bowl ring as the Golden Hurricanes won the Liberty Bowl.

A 2009 graduate of Tulsa, earning a degree in exercise science, Carlton got his coaching start at Tulsa as a student assistant in 2008-09, progressing to offensive quality control assistant in 2010 under Morris. While on staff, he was a part of two bowl appearances including a win over Ball State in the 2008 GMAC Bowl and defeating Hawaii in the 2010 Hawaii Bowl.

All told, between his eight seasons as an assistant on a collegiate staff, Carlton has been a part of six, 10-win seasons. Carlton was married to the former Lisa Giordano in June, 2013; the couple has two sons, Tennyson (aka “Deuce”) and Tucker.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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91 Days 'till Kickoff - #91 Tyler Junius

It's now 91 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a defensive tackle....

#91 Tyler Junius

Class: Junior
Hometown: Winder, Ga.
High School: Winder-Barrow HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 285
Position: DT

2015 (Sophomore): Played in all 11 games with seven starts at defensive tackle ... Recorded 37 total tackles including nine solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss ... Had tackles in 10 of the 11 games on the season ... Posted a career-best six stops at Wofford (Oct. 17) ... Tallied a career-high one TFL both against Mars Hill (Sept. 5) and VMI (Nov. 21) to bookend the season ... Credited with a quarterback hurry ... Named to the 2015-16 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2014 (Freshman): Saw action in nine of the team's 12 games, all as a reserve along the defensive front ... Recorded two tackles on the season, both assists ... Credited with a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery in his collegiate debut against Catawba (Sept. 13) ... Tallied his first tackle on the road at Mercer (Oct. 18) ... Named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll ... Playing for the Gold squad, was credited with three tackles in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a four-year starter on both the offensive and defensive line ... Earned first team all-region offensive line for 8-AAAAA in Georgia as a senior ... Finished his senior season with 44.5 tackles including 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks ... High school coach was David Wagner.

Personal: Is the son of Joseph and Melinda Junius ... Has a brother, Joey, whom with he played high school football.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations


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92 Days 'till Kickoff - #92 Andrew Mayton

It's now 92 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a defensive end....

#92 Andrew Mayton

Class: RS Senior
Hometown: Midway, N.C.
High School: North Davidson HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 250
Position: DE

2015 (Junior): Took a medical redshirt after a knee injury sidelined him ... Participated on a limited basis during spring drills entering the 2016 fall.

2014 (Sophomore): Played in all 12 of the team's games with a pair of starts ... Finished with 18 tackles including 10 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for 11 yards in losses ... Recorded 1.5 sacks and tallied a quarterback hurry ... Matched a career-high with a season-best three tackles at Presbyterian (Oct. 4) ... Named to the 2014 Southern Conference Fall Academic All-Conference team and was named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll ... Playing for the Purple squad, credited with three tackles including a sack with two quarterback hurries in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2013 (Freshman): Saw action in 10 of the team's 12 games on the season, all in a reserve role along the defensive front ... Finished with 10 total tackles on the year including six solo stops and a tackle for loss on a sack at Georgia Southern ... Credited with a quarterback hurry against Appalachian State ... Picked up his first career tackle in his debut in the season-opener at Middle Tennessee State - a solo stop ... Twice recorded a career-high three tackles, doing so on the road at both Samford and Georgia Southern ... Named to the 2013-14 Southern Conference Honor Roll ... Credited with four tackles in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: A four-year varsity letter winner, helped North Davidson High and head coach Mark Holcomb to the 4-A state playoffs all four seasons including a 14-1, Western Region runner-up finish as a senior ... Finished his prep career with 292 tackles and 47.5 career sacks including leading the state of North Carolina with 23.5 sacks as a senior ... Had a career-high 103 tackles and forced three fumbles in his final season at NDHS ... Was a two-time All-Central Piedmont Conference selection, earning both the CPC's and Davidson County's Defensive Player of the Year plaudits as a senior ... Also a two-time All-Northwest pick by the Winston-Salem Journal ... Tabbed All-State by NCPreps ... Moving up to the varsity squad as a freshman, recorded a quarterback sack and forced a fumble in his first game to earn his roster spot ... Listed as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com.

Personal: Full name is Andrew Raymond Mayton ... Is the son of Buddy and Chantel Mayton ... Has a younger sister, Jordan ... His uncle, Robert Mayton, won a state championship as the coach at Thomasville High ... Was also a two-year varsity letter winner in baseball in high school and played for Lexington Post 8 in the American Legion summer league ... Learned to play the piano.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations


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93 Days 'till Kickoff - John Holt

It's now 93 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of
the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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 the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

#93 is currently not assigned, so we'll highlight another assistant coach.

John Holt

Hometown: Leicester, N.C.

Position: Assistant Coach / Run Game Coordinator / Offensive Line

Alma Mater: Appalachian State

Graduated: 2008



John Holt joined Mark Speir's coaching staff at Western Carolina in January of 2012. He serves as the program's offensive line coach, coming to Cullowhee from his alma mater, Appalachian State, where he worked the four previous seasons. Holt also oversees WCU's camps and clinics, and in the summer of 2015, additionally assumed the role of player personnel. In his time at WCU, Holt has mentored All-Southern Conference selections along the offensive line in tackle Josh Wineberg (2014) and center Jake Thornton (2014).

Prior to coming to Cullowhee, Holt spent three of his four years on staff at ASU working with the Mountaineer tight ends including coaching four-time All-SoCon selection Ben Jorden during three of his four all-conference seasons.

In 2008, Holt began his coaching career by serving on head coach Jerry Moore's staff in an offensive quality control capacity. His duties included assisting the offensive staff with day-to-day non-coaching duties, specifically offensive line coach Shawn Elliott. Thanks in large part to Holt's efforts, ASU's offense ranked among the nation's top 10 in scoring, rushing, pass efficiency and total offense in '08.

A native of near-by Leicester, N.C., Holt played in 55 of ASU's 56 games during his four-year career (2004-07) including all 15 games as a senior in 2007, serving as a team captain while also earning third team All-America honors from The Sports Network. A versatile offensive lineman, he saw significant playing time at right guard and both tackle positions during his collegiate career.

The son of Michael Joe and Susah Holt, John graduated from ASU in 2008. His brother, Sherman, followed him to Boone, playing for the Mountaineers from 2007-11.

Holt was married to the former Ms. Krystle Thomas during the spring of 2015.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations


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