78 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #78 Evan Carney

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 78 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #78, on the offensive line:

#78 Evan Carney

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-3
WEIGHT 290
CLASS True Freshman
HOMETOWN Nashville, Tenn.
HIGH SCHOOL Christ Presbyterian Academy








Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-time first-team all-state and all-region selection, earning first-team plaudits as a senior ... Helped his high school to two state championships as a freshman and junior, and twice a state runner-up finish ... Only allowed one sack as a sophomore and did not allow a sack as a junior … Also played baseball where he was the closer, and participated in track & field as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Evan Nelson Carney ... Is the son of Michelle and John Carney ... Has a younger sister, Leah ... His uncle played football at Chattanooga

79 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #79 Aidan Alston

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 79 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #79, on the offensive line:

#79 Aidan Alston

POSITION Offensive Line
HEIGHT 6-2
WEIGHT 270
CLASS Sophomore
HOMETOWN Southern Pines, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Pinecrest HS






2021 (Redshirt Freshman*): Played in three games along the offensive line with a pair of starts … Made his first career start in the road victory at The Citadel (Oct. 23) while also starting in the road win at VMI (Nov. 20).

2020-21 (Redshirt Freshman): After opening fall 2020 in the defensive line position group, converted to the offensive line in spring 2021 … Played in two games on defense in the fall, making his collegiate debut at Liberty (Nov. 14) … Did not record any statistics.

2019 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Two-year varsity letter winner on the defensive line and as a long snapper … Credited with 59 career tackles with five tackles for loss … Also wrestled as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Aidan Neuman Alston … Is the son of Willow and Anthony Alston.

80 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #80 Shammond Hicks

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 80 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #80, a wide receiver:

#80 Shammond Hicks

POSITION Wide Receiver
HEIGHT 5-10
WEIGHT 180
CLASS Grad Transfer
HOMETOWN Raleigh, N.C.
COLLEGE UNCP
HIGH SCHOOL Middle Creek HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Is a graduate transfer from UNC Pembroke where he played in 26 career games from 2017 to 2020 ... Caught 69 career passes for 898 yards and eight touchdowns, catching at least one TD pass per year

2020 (Senior at UNCP): Played in three games with 14 receptions for 161 yards and a career-best four touchdowns

2019 (Junior at UNCP): Played in four games … Caught 12 passes for 98 yards (8.2 yards/catch) and one touchdown. Gave UNCP the lead for good with a 14-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter against Winston-Salem State ... Posted season-highs in both receptions (5) and receiving yards (67) against Virginia State.

2018 (Sophomore at UNCP): Played in 10 games … Caught 31 passes for a team-best 463 yards (14.9 yards/catch) and two touchdowns … Logged two or more receptions in nine games.

2017 (Freshman at UNCP): Played in nine games … Caught 12 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown … Also ran for 22 yards on two carries … Made multiple receptions in three games, including a season-best four receptions for 31 yards against Catawba … Hauled in three catches for 24 yards in the season opener with Winston-Salem State.

High School: Prepped at Middle Creek High School for coach Randy Ragland … Earned all-conference honors as a senior after hauling in 31 catches for 718 yards and 13 touchdowns … Tallied 15 catches for 348 yards and five touchdowns as a junior … Also lettered in basketball for the Mustangs.

Personal: Is the son of Cassandra and Reginald Hicks … Has an older brother, Maurice, and two younger brothers, Sean and Seth.

81 days to WCU Football Kickoff - JJ Laster

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 81 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No player is currently assigned to #81, so today we'll highlight another assistant coach:

JJ Laster

TITLE Assistant Coach / Wide Receivers












JJ Laster joined the Western Carolina football offensive coaching staff in the spring of 2021, coaching the Catamount wide receivers. He comes to Cullowhee after spending the 2019 season at Gardner-Webb where he coached the running backs and tight ends, while also overseeing the return teams for special teams.

While in Boiling Springs, Laster mentored a trio of All-Big South Conference selections in the three areas he coached. GWU running back Jaylin Cagle earned second-team All-Big South honors after rushing for 930 yards and eight touchdowns with four 100-yard rushing games in 2019, while tight end AJ Alexander was also a second-team selection, hauling in a career-high 16 passes for 155 yards and a TD. Devron Harper collected first-team All-Big South honors while also finishing as the runner-up for the conference’s freshman of the year accolade in addition to collecting first-team FCS Freshman All-America plaudits. Harper finished with 1,600 all-purpose yards in 2019 including 928 return yards that featured a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against FBS-foe, Charlotte.

Prior to Gardner-Webb, Laster spent three seasons coaching football at Tusculum University, first working with the Pioneers' running backs for two seasons and most recently the wide receivers for a year while also serving as the team's recruiting coordinator.

Laster had a distinguished playing career at Jacksonville University, where he was a two-time All-Pioneer Football League (PFL) selection and helped the Dolphins to conference championships in 2008 and 2010.

In 40 career games as a running back with the Dolphins from 2008 to 2011, Laster rushed for 1,796 yards on 343 carries (5.2 yards per carry) with 19 touchdowns while adding 67 receptions for 606 yards and two scores. Laster led FCS with 8.5 yards per rush in 2010 as he gained a career-best 810 yards on 95 carries with seven touchdowns to earn first-team all-PFL honors. As a senior, he had 610 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns while catching 41 passes for 317 yards and one score and was named second-team All-PFL.

After his playing career ended, Laster began his coaching career as a running backs coach at Allen D. Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., before returning to Jacksonville in 2014-15 as a graduate assistant coach working on the defensive side of the ball with the linebackers. In two seasons, Laster helped the Dolphins develop six All-PFL selections while assisting in developing the defensive game plan.

Laster's experience also includes serving as the running backs coach at Rockledge High School in Brevard County, Fla., where he oversaw the summer speed and conditioning workout program and helped with all other aspects of the offseason program.

Jesse James Laster, Jr. is a native of Graceville, Fla., where he set the school career rushing record at Graceville High before attending Jacksonville University. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in geography from Jacksonville in 2012 and a master of education in leadership and learning in 2015.

He and his wife Rodricka Laster have a son, Jesse James Laster III (Third).

82 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Cody Edwards

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 82 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No player is currently assigned to #82, so today we'll highlight another assistant coach:

Cody Edwards

TITLE Assistant Coach / Linebackers














Cody Edwards joined the Western Carolina football staff as a quality control coach working primarily with the defensive unit. Edwards came to Cullowhee after working at Tusculum University from 2018 through 2021, progressing to associate head coach and defensive coordinator.

Edwards served as the Tusculum safeties coach and was also the running game coordinator during the 2018 campaign. He took over coaching the TU linebackers and was promoted to defensive coordinator in March 2019.

The 2020-21 Pioneers posted a 4-1 record during the COVID shortened spring campaign where TU won the SAC's Mountain Division and followed with a 28-23 win at defending league champion Lenoir-Rhyne to win the program its first SAC Championship since 2008. The Tusculum defense limited the opposition to 17.6 points per contest while holding teams to 311.2 yards per game including a SAC-best 84 rushing yards per outing.

In his first year as defensive coordinator, the 2019 Pioneers led the SAC in defensive touchdowns scored (3 – 23rd in NCAA II), first down defense (175 – 21st in NCAA II), and fourth down percentage defense (.286 - 10th in NCAA II). Tusculum was also 28th in the country in total defense (309 ypg). He coached two All-South Atlantic Conference linebackers in Ivan Hogans and Jackson Cauthen, who was also recognized for his work off the field where he was an honors student and a two-time member of the CoSIDA Academic All-District Football first team.

A Haysi, Va., native Edwards earned his start in the coaching profession at Eastside High in Coeburn, Va., as the wide receivers and defensive backs coach, while also serving as the junior varsity head coach. He also has high school coaching experience at Pinecrest High in Southern Pines, N.C., in 2012.

Prior to going to Tusculum, Edwards served as the co-defensive coordinator at Keiser University and was defensive coordinator at The John Cooper School in 2016. He was the run game and defensive coordinator at Royal Palm Beach High School for two seasons and coached safeties and was the assistant secondary coach at John Carroll University in 2013, helping the team to a 9-2 record and a berth to the NCAA Playoffs. He mentored three all-conference players including one All-American.

Edwards served as an intern on the football staff at Tennessee during the 2012 season where duties included being a liaison for all NFL and professional scouts and the "Vol for Life" Program. He also aided the football operations staff and worked with the university’s summer football camps.

Edwards is a 2010 graduate of the University of Virginia's College at Wise with a BS in business administration while also lettering on the football team. He earned his Master's degree from Tusculum in May 2021.

83 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Jeremy Darveau

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 83 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No player is currently assigned to #83, so today we'll highlight another assistant coach:

Jeremy Darveau

TITLE Assistant Coach / Offensive Line










Jeremy Darveau joined the Catamount football coaching staff as the program's offensive line coach in mid-February. Darveau came to Cullowhee after a season in the same role at Southern Mississippi where he was also the run-game coordinator for the Golden Eagles.

Darveau worked with WCU head coach Kerwin Bell at Valdosta State where he was a part of the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship team. During his 14-year career coaching offensive line, Darveau has developed over 25 all-conference players, five All-Americans, and produced eight NFL offensive linemen.

Before making the move to Hattiesburg, Miss., for the 2021 season, Darveau served as offensive line coach and run-game coordinator under Bobby Petrino at Missouri State in 2020 and held the same position in 2019 while at USF.

Darveau worked the previous four seasons (2015-18) at Valdosta State, the last three under Bell. He helped lead the Blazers to the national championship in 2018 with the nation's No. 1 ranked scoring offense in the division (52.0 ppg). That squad ranked fourth in the nation in total offense (523.9 ypg), red-zone efficiency (.901), and pass efficiency (167.37). The Blazers scored 728 points that year as they posted 7,334 yards (3,676 rushing/3,658 passing) and 7.9 yards per play on the year.

VSU senior offensive linemen Jeremy King was the runner-up for the Gene Upshaw Award, presented to the most outstanding NCAA Division II lineman, and three offensive linemen earned first-team all-region and all-conference honors. In his four seasons at Valdosta State, the Blazers were 36-10 record with three Division II playoff appearances and conference and national championships.

Prior to joining the Valdosta State program, Darveau spent the 2014 season as assistant offensive line coach at the University of Florida, helping the Gators' offense to 12 offensive records and a Birmingham Bowl victory.

Darveau began his coaching career in 2008 at Southwest Minnesota State, where he served as the offensive graduate assistant coach for two seasons (2008-09) while earning a master's degree in business administration. He was promoted to offensive line coach/run game coordinator there in 2010, serving in that role for three seasons (2010-12) before again being promoted to offensive coordinator (2013). The program reached its first-ever bowl game in 2013 and during his tenure players posted over 40 program offensive records and seven league records.

Originally from Hilton Head Island, S.C., Darveau earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from Louisville, where he lettered in the 2004 and 2005 seasons as an offensive tackle. He started seven games as a junior and 12 as a senior as the Cardinals posted a 20-4 record over the two seasons. Before playing at Louisville, Darveau spent a season at Dodge City Community College and two seasons at the University of Kentucky.

Following his collegiate career, Darveau went on to play with the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe and the Tampa Bay Storm in the Arena Football League (AFL).

Darveau is married to the former Erin Lashley of Pickerington, Ohio, who played collegiate softball at Ohio University.

84 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Brian Cochran

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 84 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No player is currently assigned to #84, so today we'll highlight another assistant coach:

Brian Cochran

TITLE Assistant Coach / Defensive Line











Brian Cochran joined the Catamount football coaching staff as the defensive line coach ahead of spring drills in mid-March 2022. Cochran is a veteran collegiate coach who spent the previous four seasons in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) between both the University of Akron and Kent State University.

Cochran came to Cullowhee having spent the past three seasons as the defensive line coach at the University of Akron. He coached at rival Kent State in 2018 where he mentored second-team All-Mid-American Conference defensive lineman Kalil Morris.

His experience also includes a year in the Southern Conference as he coached the defensive line at Chattanooga in 2017. That season, the Mocs led the league in total defense, allowing just 326.4 yards per game overall and just over 300 yards of offense against conference opponents. UTC also paced the SoCon in pass defense and allowed the second-fewest first downs.

Much of Cochran’s football career has ties in Northeast Ohio. Before his stints at Akron and Kent State, he spent 11 seasons as a coach and four as a player at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, just east of Cleveland. He served in a variety of roles including defensive line coach, defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and director of football operations at his alma mater. The Blue Streaks made three NCAA playoff appearances from 2013-16 including a semifinals appearance in 2016, finishing 13th in the nation in rushing defense and averaged just over three sacks per game.

In six of his 10 seasons at JCU, Cochran was the defensive line coach with the squad pacing in the nation in several categories including rushing defense and points allowed per game. His 2015 defensive line unit led the nation in sacks (45) and landed four players on the all-conference team, while JCU’s 2014 NCAA quarterfinalist team ranked seventh in the nation in total defense.

Prior to returning to his alma mater, Cochran spent time as a head coach at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, from 2003-06 and as an assistant coach at both MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill., and Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. In addition to football where he fostered 10 all-conference selections and one All-American, Cochran was the head wrestling coach at Heidelberg for two years.

A 1990 graduate of John Carroll University, Cochran was an All-American nose tackle as a senior in 1989, helping earn the program’s first NCAA Division III tournament bid. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1990. He was inducted into the JCU Athletic Hall of Fame on Sept. 30, 2011.

A native of Painesville, Ohio, Cochran, earned a master’s degree in education from Dayton in 1993.

Beck takes over Catamount Baseball

"It's a dream come true. I've wanted this job since I got into coaching and I waited a long time for it and I worked as hard as I could while I waited," said Alan Beck. "Those coaches who have been here before me, it's an incredible list. You'd be hard to find a better list anywhere."

Alan Beck was introduced as the 11th head baseball coach in Western Carolina history by one of his former teammates, athletic director Alex Gary. Both played for the Catamounts in the early 2000s, with Beck earning all-conference honors three times and SoCon Player of the Year in 2003.

85 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #85 Talon James

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 85 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #85, a tight end:

#85 Talon James

POSITION Tight End
HEIGHT 6-4
WEIGHT 235
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Fairview, N.C.
COLLEGE Richmond
HIGH SCHOOL A.C. Reynolds HS







Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to Western Carolina late in the summer of 2021 during preseason fall camp from the University of Richmond;

Richmond: Played in 13 games for the Spiders between the 2018 and 2019 seasons … Most of his action came on special teams

High School: Was a three-time all-conference honoree and a two-time team captain … Helped lead AC Reynolds HS to the state championship as a senior … Scored four TDs as a tight end … Piled up 170 tackles over his final two seasons including 106 stops as a senior.

86 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #86 Clayton Bardall

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 86 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #86, a tight end:

#86 Clayton Bardall

POSITION Tight End
HEIGHT 6-3
WEIGHT 230
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Cumming, Ga.
HIGH SCHOOL North Forsyth HS







2021 (Redshirt Sophomore*): Played in eight of the team’s 11 games on the season with five starts to open the season at tight end … Caught four passes for 27 yards on the season … Recorded a catch in the first three games of the season with a season-long 15-yard reception against EKU (Sept. 4) in the opener … Named to the 2021 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Changed his number to No. 18 after the opening weekend to allow Daquan Patten to wear No. 86 to honor the memory of his father, David Patten, who wore No. 86 in the NFL with the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints.

2020-21 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in all nine of the team’s games with four starts on offense at tight end … Led WCU’s tight ends with 10 receptions and finished second on the team with 156 receiving yards … Paced the team with three receiving touchdowns on the season … Caught a nine-yard touchdown reception at Liberty (Nov. 14) … Was a team captain at Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 21) where he met his older brother at midfield for the pregame coin toss … Made a then career-long 40-yard reception at EKU … Matched a career-high with four receptions for 42 yards and a TD at Samford (Feb. 27) … Hauled in a career-long 44-yard touchdown catch for a score at ETSU (March 27) ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and was named Academic All-Southern Conference.

2019 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 12 games on the season with three starts at tight end … Recorded eight receptions for 119 yards and his first career touchdown … Caught his first pass as a collegiate tight end in the home win over North Greenville (Sept. 14) in a six-yard TD reception … Caught a career-high four passes for 74 yards against Samford (Nov. 16) … Recorded a career-long reception of 28 yards against Samford, matching it a week later at nationally-ranked Alabama (Nov. 23) … Named 2019 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference and to the 2019-20 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2018 (Freshman): Played in two games as a true freshman on special teams … Made his collegiate debut at Mercer (Oct. 20), recording a tackle assist … Also saw game action in the regular season finale at North Carolina (Nov. 17) … Expected to take a redshirt ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a four-year varsity letter winner and starter … Caught two passes for 61 yards and a touchdown before an injury cut his senior season short … Had 15 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns as a junior, earning honorable mention All-Region accolades … Two-time Offensive Player of the Week … Received the Jack Snook Memorial Award at North Forsyth High for coach was Robert Craft… Finished his career with 34 tackles including 24 solo stops with two sacks and a pair of interceptions … Took part in the Blue-Grey All-American Combine prior to his senior season … Also plays baseball as a prep where he was the team leader in home runs.

Personal: Is the son of Rachael and Brad Bardall … Has an older brother, Jackson, who plays football as an offensive lineman at Eastern Kentucky.

87 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #87 Trey Rose

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 87 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #87, a tight end:

#87 Trey Rose

POSITION Tight End
HEIGHT 6-3
WEIGHT 205
CLASS True Freshman
HOMETOWN Jacksonville, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL Fletcher HS










Prior to Western Carolina: Caught 14 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns as a senior, according to MaxPreps.

88 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #88 Antoine Bell

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 88 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #88, a wide receiver:

#88 Antoine Bell

POSITION Wide Receiver
HEIGHT 6-4
WEIGHT 215
CLASS True Freshman
HOMETOWN Charlotte, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Berry Academy











Prior to Western Carolina: Three-sport athlete as a prep … Selected to play in the Queen City Senior Bowl … Caught 20 passes for 194 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore.

89 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #89 Richard McCollum

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 89 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #89, a kicker:

#89 Richard McCollum

POSITION Kicker
HEIGHT 5-9
WEIGHT 180
CLASS Junior
HOMETOWN Sanford, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Southern Lee HS








2020-21 (Redshirt Sophomore): Saw action in all nine of the team’s seasonal games on special teams … Connected on three of his six field goal attempts on the season and was 18-of-19 on PATs … Scored 27 points on the year … Matched a career-best with two made field goals (2-for-2) at Samford (Feb. 27) including a career-long 45-yard boot … Tied his career-high with a 45-yard field goal at ETSU (March 27) … Added two kickoffs on the year for an average of 40.0 yards per kick ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and was named Academic All-Southern Conference.

2019 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in five games on the season handling placekicks including field goals, PATs, and kickoffs … Connected on a career-best two field goals (2-for-3) in the home win over North Greenville (Sept. 14), scoring a career-high six points … Finished 5-for-5 including a career-best 4-for-4 on PATs at Chattanooga (Sept. 28) … Kicked off a total of 17 times for an average of 49.4 yards per kick with one touchback.

2018 (Freshman): Played in four games on the year, remaining eligible for a redshirt ... Made his collegiate debut at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 14) … Handled kickoff duties in four games, kicking 20 times for an average of 56.0 yards per kick with two touchbacks … Kicked off a career-high nine times against VMI (Sept. 22) … Did not attempt a field goal or PAT ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Connected on 13-of-20 field goals as a senior including a career-long 51-yard field goal in 2017, adding 31 touchbacks on kickoffs … As a junior, connected on 44-of-45 PATs and was 14-of-20 on field goals including a long kick of 47-yards in a game as a part of earning the Cape Fear Valley Conference Special Teams Player of the Year … Connected on a 60-yard field goal at practice in Twitter post that went viral … Received the Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award from WRAL-TV in Raleigh ... High school coach was Joe Allison … Is bi-lingual and was the leader of his school’s Spanish Club … Also played baseball as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Richard Larry McCollum … Is the son of Carolina and Fredy McCollum … Has two brothers, Freddy and Bryan … His older brother, Freddy, kicked collegiately at Wingate.

90 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #90 Marlon Alexander

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 90 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #90, and another defensive lineman:

#90 Marlon Alexander

POSITION Defensive Line
HEIGHT 6-0
WEIGHT 320
CLASS Sophomore
HOMETOWN Smyrna, Tenn.
HIGH SCHOOL Smyrna HS

COLLEGE Gardner-Webb







2021 (Sophomore): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with seven starts along the defensive line … Made his WCU debut in the season-opener against Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 4) and his first start at Oklahoma (Sept. 11) … Finished the season credited with 26 total tackles including 12 solo stops and five tackles for loss with one sack and a pair of quarterback hurries … Posted his WCU career-high with five tackles with two TFLs at Wofford (Oct. 30).

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Gardner-Webb during the summer of 2021; Gardner-Webb: In four games in 2021, recorded 14 tackles including two solo stops and 2.0 tackles for loss with a pair of half sacks … Had five tackles against Presbyterian; 

High School: Was rated a two-star prospect from 247Sports … Two-time All-Region 5-6A selection and was an all-district choice … Selected to play in the Toyota Tennessee East/West Game … Named 2018 Region 5-AAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year … A first-team All-Area selection by the Murfreesboro Daily News-Journal in 2018 … Wendy's High School Heisman Award winner … Finished 2018 season with 48 total tackles (30 solo), 14.0 tackles for loss and four sacks … Also recovered two fumbles … Blocked a pair of field goals … Had a season-high nine stops vs. Christ Presbyterian … Made seven stops vs. Stewarts Creek … Earned third-team All-Area honors from the Murfreesboro Daily News-Journal in 2017 … Had 44 total tackles (25 solo) as a junior … Added two sacks, two passes broken up and a blocked field goal … High school coach was Matt Williams.

91 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #91 Jaquarius Guinn

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 91 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #91, and another defensive lineman:

#91 Jaquarius Guinn

POSITION Defensive Line
HEIGHT 6-2
WEIGHT 280
CLASS Sophomore
HOMETOWN Clover, S.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Clover HS








2020-21 (Freshman): Played in all nine of the team’s seasonal games with four starts along the defensive line … Finished the year with 21 tackles including 19 coming in Southern Conference play in the spring semester with half a tackle for loss … Credited with a pair of quarterback hurries … Made his WCU debut in the season-opener at Liberty (Nov. 14), recording a solo tackle … Posted two tackles including half a tackle for loss at Samford (Feb. 27) … Recorded a career-best five tackles at Mercer (March 20) … Named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named South Carolina (SCFCA) 5-A All-State along the defensive line and was selected to the North team in the South Carolina 2019 North-South game … Garnered Defensive Lineman of the Week honors from the The Herald in Rock Hill after tallying six tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection on the game-sealing interception … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … High school coach was Brian Lane.

Personal: Full name is Jaquarius Jerome Guinn … Is the son of David Guinn and Gracie Kirkpatrick.

92 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #92 Brandon Smiley

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 92 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #92, and another defensive lineman:

#92  Brandon Smiley

POSITION Defensive Line
HEIGHT 6-2
WEIGHT 305
CLASS Freshman
HOMETOWN Durham, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Palmetto Prep

Prior to Western Carolina: Played his high school football at Riverside High in Durham before finishing at Palmetto Prep in West Columbia, S.C., in 2021 … Recorded 58 tackles including 36 solo stops, averaging 7.3 tackles per game in his final season at Riverside High, adding 12 quarterback hurries and five passes defended.

 

93 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #93 Chris Morgan

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 93 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #93, and another defensive lineman:

#93 Chris Morgan

POSITION Defensive Line
HEIGHT 6-0
WEIGHT 265
CLASS  Junior
HOMETOWN Maiden, N.C.
HIGH SCHOOL Maiden HS













2020-21 (Freshman): Converted from tight end to defensive line, seeing action in each of the team’s six games in the spring semester as a reserve on defense … Credited with six total tackles including half a tackle for loss … Made his collegiate debut at Furman (Feb. 20) … Tallied his first career tackle against VMI (March 6) … Posted a career-best three tackles including half a tackle for loss at Mercer (March 20).

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner and a three-time All-South Fork 2A Conference selection ... Played as a middle linebacker and tight end as a prep ... Caught three TD passes as a tight end as a senior coming on nine total receptions for 133 yards, according to MaxPreps ... Selected to the 83rd annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolina's, just the 12th from his high school all-time ... As a sophomore linebacker, recorded 118 tackles in helping Maiden go undefeated in the regular season, winning the South Fork 2A conference championship.

94 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #94 Timothy Jamison

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 94 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #94, and another defensive lineman:

#94 Timothy Jamison

POSITION  Defensive Line

HEIGHT  6-4
WEIGHT  255
CLASS  Junior
HOMETOWN  Lexington, S.C.
HIGH SCHOOL  White Knoll HS








2020-21 (Junior): Saw action in all six of the team’s games in the spring, each coming as a defensive reserve along the line … Finished with 20 tackles on the year including seven solo stops … Made his WCU debut with a career-high five tackle outing at Furman (Feb. 20) … Posted a pair of four tackle outings against both VMI (March 6) and at Mercer (March 20).

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Hutchinson CC in Hutchinson, Kansas … Played in six games in 2019-20 recording six tackles including one for loss; High School: Three-year varsity letter winner … Played as an outside linebacker as a prep where he was an honorable mention All-Midlands selection in 2017 … Recorded 122 total tackles including 93 solo stops and 17 tackles for loss over 24 varsity games as a prep … Tallied seven sacks, five quarterback hurries, and five pass break-ups … Recovered two fumbles while forcing one and also blocked a kick.

Personal: Is the son of Geraldine Jamison.