2019 Football Preseason Preview: N.C. State Wolfpack

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western Carolina's 2019 football opponents.

In the Catamounts' second game of the 2019 season, the Cats travel to Raleigh, NC to meet
ACC foe North Carolina State Wolfpack

Western faces the Wolfpack for the seventh time on the gridiron.






Game #2 - NC State Wolfpack

When: Saturday, September 7th at 12:30 pm
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Surface:  Natural Grass / Capacity:  57,600
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV/video: Fox Sports South

The Series: In the 7th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own a 0-6 record against the Wolfpack.  All six games were played in Raleigh, NC

Games that will be played by the Wolfpack this season before the WCU contest: 1 game - This is the 2d game of the young season for both WCU and NC State, as the Wolfpack will host the ECU Pirates on August 31.

Last Game vs. NC State (September 4, 2010) - NC State downs Catamounts in Season Opener, 48-7 Raleigh, N.C. -  Redshirt junior QB Zack Jaynes led the Catamounts on a 10-play, 87-yard opening scoring drive to give Western Carolina an early 7-0 advantage, but a North Carolina State aerial assault led by quarterback Russell Wilson overwhelmed the Catamounts, handing WCU a 48-7 setback at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday night in front of an announced crowd of 56,417. "It was a disappointing game for us tonight. I thought defensively we played very poorly, missed a lot of assignments. With a veteran group, especially at the safety position, we made way too many mistakes and we just couldn't get off the field," said WCU third-year head coach Dennis Wagner during post-game interviews. "On offense, you know you put together a great drive and we did some good things in the first quarter. But we got a little proud of ourselves and didn't perform as well as we needed to from that point on. "We still have a lot of work to do. There are still 10 games left and we will be a lot better next week, I guarantee you," Wagner concluded.

Last Season's Record (2018 - NC State): 9-4 overall, 6-1 home, 3-2 away, 5-3 ACC  (wins over James Madison, Georgia St., Marshall, Virginia, Boston College, Florida St,, Louisville, UNC)

Head Coach: Dave Doeren - Dave Doeren says that his main goal as a head coach is to make sure that the young men who play for him at NC State are well prepared to chase two dreams: life with football and life without football. As he approaches his seventh season leading the Wolfpack program, the numbers show that he is accomplishing that goal. In 2018, a school-record seven players were drafted by the NFL - the highest total in the ACC and the second-highest total nationally. With six members of last year’s team invited to the 2019 NFL Combine, those numbers should be high again in this year’s draft. And Doeren’s players aren’t just prepared for the NFL. By the time the Wolfpack took the field for the 2018 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, 15 of the 18 members of last year’s senior class, plus six juniors, had already earned their NC State degrees. During his tenure, 167 members of his team have graduated and NC State’s graduation success rate for football is at an all-time high (74%) and has risen each of the past four years.

Offensive Formation: Spread
-2018 Offense: 33.8 ppg. (31st in FBS)
Defensive Formation: Multiple
-2018 Defense: 24.9 ppg. (45th in FBS)
Starters Returning/Lost: 12  /  12
Offensive starters - Returning/Lost: 4 / 7
Defensive starters - Returning/Lost: 7 / 4
Letter winners lost: 21

The Wolfpack, like the Catamounts, relied on their explosive offenses last season. Quarterback Ryan Finley and receivers Kelvin Harmon & Jakobi Meyers were the big reasons the Wolfpack went 9–4 in 2018. However, in 2019, the Wolfpack will have new co-offensive coordinators, a new quarterback, new primary running back, new starting receivers and three new starters on the offensive line.

Matthew McKay, a sophomore, finished spring with the inside track for the starting QB job. However, he attempted only eight passes last season, but he ran 13 times for 36 yards and a touchdown in five games. Whoever the starting QB turns out to be, he will have plenty of capable receivers, like junior Emeka Emezie who caught 53 passes for 616 yards with five touchdowns last season and sophomore Thayer Thomas in the slot after a strong freshman campaign last year with 34 catches. The Wolfpack will have to fill three positions on the O-line

On defense, State returns eight defensive starters, of which, five are in the secondary. Senior end James Smith-Williams tied for the team lead with six sacks and will be relied on to lead the front four. In 2018, the Wolfpack ranked No. 108 in the country in pass defense. With their new group of pass rushers, the Pack struggled to pressure the quarterback, and the secondary couldn’t hold up in 2018.

After losing 13 players to the NFL Draft over the last two-year period, NC State is in a rebuilding year.


2018 Wolfpack Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 1858 yards
Yards per game: 142.9
Yards per rush: 3.8 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 100
TDs rushing: 27
Passing Offense: 4071 yards or 313 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 12.2 yards
Passing 1st downs: 185
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 334-496-11
TDs Passing: 25
Total Offense: 5929 yards or 456.1 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 16-7
3d Down Conversions: 87 - 184  (47%)
4th Down Conversions: 10-17 (59%)
Field goal attempts: 23 - 26
On-side kicks: 0-1
Red Zone Scores: 62 of 71 (87%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 43 of 71 (61%)
PAT:   51 - 51

Game prediction: Per the Massey Ratings, the Cats have only a 0% probability of winning (13-54) over the Wolfpack.
I'm going to agree that the Wolfpack will outlast the Cats and win, but in a much closer match up. Cats drop one 28-42.    According to Massey, the Cats should be 0-2, but the Cats depart Raleigh with 1-1 record.



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Halftime: 50 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #50 Alex McConnell

It's now 50 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight another offensive lineman


#50 Alex McConnell

Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Boone, NC  
High School:  Wataga HS 
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 285
Position: Offensive Line 

2018 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-time Northwestern 3A/4A Conference selection – once along the offensive line as a junior and along the defensive line as a senior … Was a part of a Watauga High offense that averaged 331.6 yards per game with 74 touchdowns scored while blocking for a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in 2017 … On defense, recorded 44 tackles including 10.5 for loss with a pair of sacks ... High school coach was Ryan Habich … Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Alexander Raven McConnell … Is the son of Kim and Jim McConnell … Is a first-generation college student in his family.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

51 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #51 Matthew Bair

It's now 51 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight another offensive lineman



#51 Matthew Bair

Class: Redshirt Junior
Hometown: Anderson, S.C.
High School: T.L. Hanna HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 285
Position: Offensive Line

2018 (Redshirt Sophomore): Saw action in eight of the team’s 11 games on the season, all as a reserve along the offensive line and on special teams … His eight seasonal appearances came in succession from the season-opener against Newberry (Sept. 1) through the road loss at nationally-ranked ETSU (Oct. 27) … Missed the final three games of the regular season.

2017 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in nine games as a reserve along the offensive line and in special teams ... Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Hawai'i ... Selected to the 2017 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team and was named to the 2017-18 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2016 (Freshman): Did not see game action; expected to take a redshirt ... Named to the 2016-17 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named to the High School Sports Report (HSSR) South Carolina Division II AAAA All-State team as an offensive lineman following his senior year ... Also garnered all-region plaudits ... Graded out at 90 percent with 78 pancake blocks and scored a touchdown as a senior ... Was a two-time Offensive Lineman of the Week from the Anderson Area Touchdown Club ... Twice named T.L. Hanna's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman (2014, 2015) and received the Captain's Award in 2015 ... ... High school coach was Bruce Ollis.

Personal: Full name is Matthew David Bair ... Is the son of David and Sonya Bair.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

The 1983 NCAA 1AA National Championship Game

52 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #52 Grady Thomas

It's now 52 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight another offensive lineman



#52 Grady Thomas

Class: Junior
Hometown: Spartanburg, S.C.
High School: Spartanburg HS
Height / Weight: 6-5 / 285
Position: Offensive Line

2018 (Sophomore): Started each of the nine games in which he saw action on the year along the offensive line at left tackle … Was a part of the offensive line that paved the way for WCU’s fourth-consecutive 1,000-yard rusher in QB Tyrie Adams … Named to the 2018 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team and to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2017 (Freshman): Played in 11 of WCU's 12 seasonal games with three starts along the offensive line at right tackle and on special teams ... Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Hawai'i (Sept. 2) ... His first career start came in the road win at Chattanooga (Sept. 30) ... Credited with one tackle, a solo stop in the road win at VMI (Oct. 21) ... Named to the 2017-18 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named to the first team All-USA South Carolina football team and to the Herald-Journal All-Area team ... Selected to play in the 80th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas ... High school head coach was Chris Miller ... According to SCMat.com, listed as the No. 5 wrestler in the state of South Carolina at the 5-A classification ... He also won the county championship in wrestling in 2017.

Personal: Full name is Grady Maguire Thomas ... Is the son of Tammy Thomas ... Is originally from Laconia, N.H.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

WCU hires Kiley Hill as new women's head basketball coach

https://t.co/7Is3u53wCe

— CatamountSportsForum (@CatSportsForum) July 9, 2019

53 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - Christian Harris

It's now 53 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

#53 is currently not assigned, so we'll highlight a true freshman defensive lineman


Christian Harris

Class: True Freshman
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.) School
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 245
Position: Defensive Line

Prior to Western Carolina: Four-year letter winner including one season at Ravenscroft HS and three at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn. … Two-time All-Region and twice named All-City as a junior and senior … Named Dynamite Dozen as a senior … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … Was invited to the All-American Army Bowl, Hawaiian Bowl, and Top Elite All-American Bowl … Had over 30 offers to play college football ... Was a three-sport standout as a prep, playing football, basketball, and track & field ... High school coach was Phil Massey.

Personal: Full name is Christian Xavier Harris … Is the son of Lisa Harris … Has a younger brother, Caleb.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

2019 Football Preseason Preview: Mercer Bears

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western Carolina's 2019 football opponents.

In the Catamounts' opening game of the 2019 season, SoCon football foe Mercer visits Cullowhee. This is also the first Southern Conference contest, of the season.

Western faces the Bears for just the sixth time since Mercer joined the Southern Conference.




Game #1 - The Mercer Bears

When: Saturday, August 31 at 6:00 pm
Where: E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV/video: Nexstar / ESPN+

The Series: In only the 6th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own a 2-3 record against the Bears, having dropped the last three games played. The Bears come to Cullowhee riding a 3 game win streak against the Cats but are 1-1 in games played in Whitmire Stadium

Games that will be played by the Bears this season before the WCU contest: 0 - This is the opening game for both teams.

Last Season's Game vs. Mercer (October 20, 2018) - Tyrie Adams Posts Career Day In Road Loss at Mercer    Macon, Ga. – Tyrie Adams amassed a school-record 545 yards of total offense including 360 yards through the air and a career-high 185 yards rushing on Saturday afternoon in a tough road loss as Western Carolina fell to the Mercer Bears, 59-46, at Five Star Stadium. Adams accounted for four touchdowns – two rushing and a pair of passing TDs – as the Catamounts piled up 710 yards of total offense, finishing one yard shy of the school record set by the Hall of Fame 1969 football team (711 yards vs. Emory & Henry). Along the way, the St. Petersburg, Fla., native moved into second-place in WCU’s career record books with 6,347 career passing yards while closing to within one TD pass of former mentor Troy Mitchell (50, 2012-15) for the program’s career passing touchdown record now with 49 career scores through the air.

Last Season's Record (Mercer): 5-6 overall, 2-3 home, 3-3 away, 4-4 SoCon

Head Coach: Bobby Lamb - At School: 7th year (37-31 record), Overall: 16th year (104-71). Lamb enters his eighth season as head coach of Mercer football. Named the 19th head football coach in program history in 2011, he led the Bears to immediate success, claiming the third 10-win season of his career and setting the NCAA Division I record for wins by a first-year program with a 10-2 campaign. The 2013 win total also set a school record for victories, surpassing the previous mark of seven wins by Lake Russell’s 1931 and 1932 squads. For his efforts, he finished third in the PFL Coach of the Year voting and ranked among the top 11 finalists for FCS National Coach of the Year.

Offensive Formation: Spread
- 2018 offense: 30.6 ppg. (34th in FCS)
Defensive Formation: 4-2-5 (Multiple)
- 2018 defense: 32.5 ppg. (85th in FCS)
Starters Returning/Lost: 15 /  12
Offensive starters - Returning/Lost: 8 / 3
Defensive starters - Returning/Lost: 8 / 3
Specialist - Returning/Lost: 1 / 4
Lost from the two-deep roster: 13

The Bears were picked to finish fifth and fourth by the coaches and media, respectively, in the SoCon preseason polls. Mercer also had seven players selected for all-conference honors. included three first-team members and five second-team members. The Bears' three first-team members were redshirt senior offensive lineman Austin Sanders, junior running back Tyray Devezin and sophomore return specialist David Durden. Durden was additionally named a second-team member as a wide receiver, joining tight end Chris Ellington, defensive lineman Dorian Kithcart, linebacker Will Coneway and defensive back Malique Fleming.

In the 2018 season, the Bears ranked 3d in the SoCon in scoring offense, with 30.6 ppg and 7th in scoring defense, giving up 32.5 ppg. Mercer's rushing offense ranked 6th with 148.8 ypg and rushing defense came in at 7th giving up 220,3 ypg.  In the passing game, the Bears came in 5th in the league with 231 ypg and were 8th in passing defense giving up 260.4 ppg.

Last season's weakness for the Bears, like for the Cats, was on the defensive side of the ball.  With five starters to replace from the season finale with Furman, the Bears also have big holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball. Along with a potentially weaker defense, the Bears may struggle on special teams with the loss of Cole Fisher (KO & PK), Matt Shiel (punter), Marquise Irwin (PR) and Steve Nixon (LS).  This season for the Bears may well turn on the question, can their rebuilding defense slow the high powered offensives of WCU, Furman, Wofford, and Sanford?

Redshirt sophomore Robert Riddle will again lead the Bears at the quarterback.  The 2018 all-freshman team member, led Mercer to an upset win at #9 Samford in a break-out performance in his first full game at quarterback for the Bears. Riddle set a single-game program record with 347 passing yards vs. The Citadel, but saw a promising season ended abruptly with a collarbone injury in that same game. Riddle played in only 4 games in 2018 due to his injury.

During the offseason, the Bears added six new coaches, including an offensive and defensive coordinator. This is the largest turnover of assistant coaches since Mercer restarted football. This shakeup in the coaching staff should not be taken lightly, as with coaching changes, comes new personalities, new schemes and coaching styles for a team to adjust to.


2018 Mercer Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 1847 yards
Yards per game: 146.7
Yards per rush: 4.5 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 74
TDs rushing: 19
Passing Offense: 2541 yards or 231 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.8 yards
Passing 1st downs: 118
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 326-178-8
TDs Passing: 22
Total Offense: 4155 yards or 377.7 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 16-7
3d Down Conversions: 35.9%
4th Down Conversions: 80%
Field goal attempts: 12 - 16
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 35 of 38
Red Zone Touchdowns: 25 of 38

Game prediction: Per the Massey Ratings, the Cats have only a 37% probability of winning (33-38) over the Bears.I'm going to disagree, the Cats open the season with a home win (49-35) over the Bears to even the overall series record to 3-3.    Cats record after game one: 1-0

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54 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - Roman Johnson

It's now 54 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

#54 is currently not assigned, so we'll highlight a true freshman defensive lineman

Roman Johnson

Class: True Freshman
Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.
High School: Southern Guilford HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 245
Position: Defensive Line

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner, two-time Mid-Piedmont 3-A Conference Defensive Player of the Year … Described as an explosive pass-rusher and playmaker … Selected as the All-USA Today North Carolina All-State High School football team and first-team HSXtra.com All-Area in 2017 … Credited with 185 total tackles including 144 solo stops and 38 tackles for loss and 22 sacks to finish ranked nationally in the top 10 according to MaxPreps … Blocked four punts, recovered three fumbles and scored seven touchdowns as a fullback on offense … Also played basketball and participated in track & field as a prep ... High school coach was Jason Bradley.

Personal: Is the son of Lucinda and Roman Johnson … Has three older siblings, Roland, Ronnell, and Roize.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

55 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #55 Gabe Braswell

It's now 55 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight another linebacker.


#56  Gabe Braswell

Class: True Freshman
Hometown: Kinston, N.C.
High School: Arendell-Parrott Academy
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 190
Position: Linebacker

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the WCU football team as a preferred walk-on … Three-year varsity letter winner … Recorded 188 career tackles including 83 solo stops with a career-best 112 tackles and 40 solo stops as a senior … Was named All-State in his final season … Recorded three career sacks and three career interceptions, two as a sophomore … Also played baseball as a prep.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

56 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #56 Jacob Depouli

It's now 56 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight another linebacker.


#56 Jacob Depouli

Class: True Freshman
Hometown: Southern Pines, N.C.
High School: Pinecrest HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 205
Position: Linebacker

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the WCU football team as a preferred walk-on … Finished his final year as a prep with 142 tackles, second in the conference … He averaged 10.1 tackles per game, recording 45 solo stops, nine tackles for loss with three sacks … Named All-Sandhills Athletic Conference as a senior.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

57 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #57 Alan Harris

It's now 57 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight another linebacker.


#57 Alan Harris

Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
High School: Mt. Vernon Presbyterian
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 225
Position: Linebacker


2018 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games with one start coming at defensive end against nationally-ranked Wofford (Nov. 10), finishing with a career-best two tackles … Made his collegiate debut against Newberry (Sept. 1) in the season-opener, recording his first career tackle on an assist … Finished the season with six total tackles including half a tackle for loss coming against Chattanooga (Oct. 13) … Named to the 2018 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team and to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2017 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Over his four-year prep career, recorded 458 career tackles including 200 solo stops and 29 sacks ... Was a three-year all-region selection ... Named the 5-A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior after collecting a career-high 130 season tackles ... Was an honorable mention Class A-Private All-State selection ... Credited with the most tackles by a freshman in his first year as a prep ... High school head coach was Wayne Dabbs ... Was an honor roll student and was selected to the Dean's List as a senior ... Also participated in field events, setting a school-record and finishing fourth in the state in the discus as a junior.

Personal: Full name is Alan Micah Harris ... Is the son of Daisy and Andre' Harris ... Has two siblings.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

58 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #58 Darrius Smith

It's now 58 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight a linebacker.


#58 Darrius Smith



Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Robersonville, N.C.
High School: South Creek HS
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 210
Position: Linebacker


2018 (Freshman): Saw action in all 11 of the team’s games as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with three total tackles including a solo stop … Made his collegiate debut in the season opener against Newberry (Sept. 1) … Recorded his first career tackle against VMI (Sept. 22) … Had a solo stop in the triple-overtime thriller against ETSU (Oct. 27).

Prior to Western Carolina: Four-year varsity letter winner ... Finished with 244 career tackles including 211 solo stops and seven tackles for loss ... Finished with 110 total tackles as a senior including 81 solo hits ... Recorded his lone career interception as a senior, forcing two fumbles while recovering one ... Blocked a punt as a sophomore ... Added 203 rushing yards on 57 carries with 11 receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns on offense ... Also played baseball and basketball as a prep.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

59 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #59 John Esposito

It's now 59 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight a linebacker.



#59 John Esposito

Class: Redshirt Junior
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
Other College: Buffalo State
High School: St. Joseph by the Sea
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 200
Position: Linebacker

2018 (Redshirt Sophomore): Sat out due to NCAA transfer rules, taking a redshirt ... Participated in WCU's annual Spring Drills ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU in the 2018 spring semester from NCAA Divison III Buffalo State College, participating in spring drills in Cullowhee ... Did not see game action for the Bengals ...

High School: Recorded 93 tackles including 18 for loss with five sacks as a senior ... Was a CHSFL All-Star as a senior and earned a spot in the league’s Senior Bowl, playing outside linebacker and tight end.

Personal: Is the son of Lori and John Esposito.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

60 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #60 Joaquin Layno

It's now 60 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight a player on the defensive line.


#60 Joaquin Layno

Class: True Freshman
Hometown: Cherokee, N.C.
High School: Cherokee HS
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 265
Position: Defensive Line


Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the WCU football team as a preferred walk-on … Four-year varsity letter-winner, winning a state championship as a junior … Played both offensive and defensive line as a prep … Finished with 259 career tackles including 57 solo stops … Recorded 82 total tackles as a senior, averaging 7.5 tackles per game to earn All-Smoky Mountain Conference plaudits … Also participated in throw events in track & field including shot put and discus.

Personal: Full name is Joaquin Gabriel Layno.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

61 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #61 Dawson Johnson

It's now 61 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, 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 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight another player on the offensive line.

#61 Dawson Johnson

Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Taylorsville, N.C.
High School: Alexander Central HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 265
Position: Offensive Line


2018 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2017 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played offensive tackle and along the defensive line as a prep where he was a two-year varsity letter-winner ... Collected All-North Piedmont Conference accolades as a senior.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations