54 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - Dante Johnson

It's now 54 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No one is currently assigned to #54, so today we will highlight another assistant coach:

Dante Johnson

 TITLE: Football Quality Control Coach - Defense



After spending five seasons working as an undergraduate student assistant with the Catamount football team, Dante Johnson was elevated to the position of Football Quality Control Coach working primarily with the defense entering the 2023 season.

Originally from Cumming, Ga., Johnson played football at South Forsyth High before enrolling at Western Carolina. Over the past five years, he worked with the Catamount defense, spending two seasons with the safeties then the cornerbacks before assisting with the defensive line the past two years. In 2022, Johnson worked with All-Southern Conference selection DE KJ Milner.

Additionally, Johnson gained experience working with the Catamount special teams alongside former special teams coordinator Keith Henry.

Johnson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from WCU in the spring of 2023.

Tracking the Cats - Episode 2: Cullowhee Collective

 

55 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #55 Secrea Algie

It's now 55 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 an offensive lineman:

#55 Secrea Algie

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6-5
Weight: 300
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Snellville, Ga.
High School: Brookwood HS






Prior to Western Carolina: Played offensive and defensive line as a prep … Named to the second-team AJC All-Region team on offense for Region 4-7A and an honorable mention for All-Gwinnett County … High school coach was Philip Jones, and his offensive line coach was Zach Underwood … Will enroll at WCU in the Fall 2024.

Personal: Is the son of Sonya Smith.

Independence Day - 2024

 

56 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #56 Mabry Bumgarner

It's now 56 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 a long snapper:

#56 Mabry Bumgarner

 Position: Long-Snapper
 Height: 5-9
 Weight: 200
 Class: Redshirt Freshman
 Hometown: Sylva, N.C.
 High School: Smoky Mountain HS








2023 (Freshman): Did not see game action despite dressing for several home games ... Remained eligible for a redshirt ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on … Named to the Mountain Seven Conference all-conference team and the All-Western North Carolina first-team offense as a long-snapper by the Asheville Citizen-Times … Was also selected to the 2022 North Carolina Sportswriters All-State team … Received a 4.5-star rating from the Rubio Long-Snapping … Is a member of the National Honors Society and has been accepted into WCU’s Brinson Honors College.

Personal: Is the son of Mary and Jeff Bumgarner.

57 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - Jeff Burger

It's now 57 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No one is currently assigned to #57, so today we will highlight an assistant coach:

Jeff Burger

TITLE Football Quality Control Coach - Offense



Jeff Burger came to Cullowhee in 2021, joining the Catamount football offensive staff as a volunteer assistant coach working with the offensive line. Assisting with four different line coaches during his tenure, Burger has helped mentor three all-conference performers in Christian Coulter, Tyler Smith, and Blake Whitmore. He was also on the coaching staff of the top offense in the NCAA FCS in 2023.

Before coming to Cullowhee with the current staff, Burger worked with former offensive coordinator Kade Bell as a volunteer assistant at Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tenn. The Pioneers led the South Atlantic Conference in total offense in 2021 with Burger on staff.

Originally from Melbourne, Fla., and a graduate of Eau Gallie High, Burger earned his start at Palm Bay Magnet Senior High in Palm Bay, Fla., as the offensive line coach for the Pirates football team. From there, he earned a spot as a student assistant coach for the offensive line at the Florida Institute of Technology.

58 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #58 Brett Gray

It's now 58 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 an offensive lineman:

#58 Brett Gray

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6-3
Weight: 275
Class: Junior
Hometown: Vancouver, Wash.
College: Valparaiso

High School: Skyview HS








Prior to Western Carolina: Mid-season transfer from Valparaiso.

At Valpo: Played in 22 games over three seasons with 11 starts as a redshirt sophomore in 2023 … Saw action as a reserve in 10 games during the 2022 season; 

At Skyview HS: Three-year varsity letter winner who served as a team captain as a senior … Was listed as a two-star prospect as a defensive lineman by 247Sports coming out of high school … Two-sport prep athlete playing football and basketball for two years. 

Personal: Is the son of Marta and Darren Gray … Has a twin sister, Olivia … Was a trumpet soloist at Skyview High.

59 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - Rudi Small

It's now 59 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 #49, so we will highlight an assistant coach:

Rudi Small

TITLE Assistant Coach / Running Backs / Assistant Special Teams



Rudi Small, the all-time leading rusher in Jacksonville University football history, has been tabbed to coach the Catamount running backs, joining the Western Carolina coaching staff in the spring of 2021.

Over his first three years, Small mentored 2022 SoCon Freshman of the Year, Freshman All-America, and two-time All-Southern Conference selection in tailback Desmond Reid. Reid was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award.

Small earned his coaching start as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2014, parlaying that experience into an assistant coaching position at Valdosta State in 2016. Working alongside his former position coach at Jacksonville – current WCU assistant coach Kerry Webb – Small helped coach the Blazers’ running backs at Valdosta State and was on staff during the 2018 undefeated season and national championship run.

Small led the Dolphins in rushing from 2007-2010 with three-consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2008 (1,364), 2009 (1,074), and 2010 (1,145) – six of the top 10 individual season records in program history. A Walter Payton Award candidate in 2010, Small finished his career with 4,073 career rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns. He continues to hold the Jacksonville record for all-purpose yards in a career with 5,765, career touchdowns with 49, and career points with 294 scored over his four-year career.

A former Trinity Catholic High product, Small matched a Jacksonville record with five rushing touchdowns against UNC Pembroke on Sept. 22, 2007, a 55-10 home victory for the Dolphins.

Small is a two-time graduate of Jacksonville University, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management in 2012 and his Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Organizational Leadership Learning in 2016.

He and his wife, Evelyn, were married on August 3, 2014.

60 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #60 Therion Cannon

It's now 60 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 an offensive lineman:

#60 Therion Cannon

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-3
Weight 270
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Ridgeland, S.C.
High School Thomas Heyward HS









2023 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in one game, making his WCU debut as a reserve along the offensive line in the home win over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Did not record any official statistics.

Prior to Western Carolina: Spent two years on roster at Alabama-Birmingham (UAB), but did not see game action.

61 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #61 Tyler Griffin

It's now 61 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 an offensive lineman:

#61 Tyler Griffin

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6-0
Weight: 285
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Thomasville, N.C.
High School: Ledford HS




Prior to Western Carolina: Was a mid-year transfer from Ferrum College where he spent the 2023 season … Transferred to WCU with three years of eligibility remaining ... Enrolled at WCU for the Spring 2024 semester;

Ledford HS: Played along the offensive line at guard, center, and tackle during his prep career.

62 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #62 Peyton Davis

It's now 62 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 an offensive lineman:

#62 Peyton Davis

Position: Offensive Line

Height: 6-2
Weight: 305
Class: Redshirt Junior
Hometown: Mooresville, N.C.
High School: Lake Norman HS

2023 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in five games as a reserve along the offensive line and on special teams … Saw action in the season-opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2) with games played including Charleston Southern (Sept. 23), at The Citadel (Sept. 30), at Chattanooga (Oct. 7) and ETSU (Nov. 11) … Did not record any official statistics.

2022 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in one game on special teams and as a reserve along the offensive line, seeing action in the home win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17) ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

2021 (Freshman): Saw action in one game on the year, making his collegiate debut against ETSU (Nov. 13) ... Did not record any official statistics ... Named to the 2021-22 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner … Played offensive line at center and guard … Two-time All-County selection, earning first-team honors as a senior … Credited with 18 pancake blocks in seven games in 2021 … Helped guide Lake Norman High to a third-place finish in the highly competitive I-Meck 4-A Conference … Competed in the Queen City Senior Bowl in May 2021 … Was selected to represent the West in the Carolina Clash on the Coast Senior Bowl in Wilmington, N.C.

Personal: Full name is Peyton Anthony-Haynes Davis ... Is the son of Shannon Davis-Flick and Adam Flick.

63 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #63 Maddox Cowart

It's now 63 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 a kicker:

#63 Maddox Cowart

Position: Punter
Height: 6-2
Weight: 170
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High School: Plant HS







Prior to Western Carolina: Played a myriad of positions as a prep -- quarterback, wide receiver, punter, kicker ... Two-time all-conference and two-time All-County selection ... Named 2023 Special Teams Player of the Year in 2023-24 by MaxPreps ... Averaged 42.6 yards per punt with an average hang time of 4.2 per kick ... 60 percent of his punts were downed inside the opponent 20-yard line ... Finalist for the Tampa Area NFF Scholar-Athlete Award ... Was originally committed to Towson.

64 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - Larry Murphy

It's now 64 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No one is currently assigned to #64, so today we will highlight an assistant coach:

Larry Murphy

TITLE Assistant Coach / Cornerbacks / Assistant Special Teams



Larry Murphy joined the Catamount football defensive coaching staff in the spring of 2021 where he will coach the cornerbacks. Murphy came to Cullowhee after two years at Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tenn., where he held a similar role. In February 2024, Murphy was additionally named Assistant Special Teams Coordinator.

In his first season at Tusculum, Murphy mentored a pair of All-South Atlantic Conference (SAC) honorees including Dee Alford and Malik Goodman. Alford also garnered All-Region accolades and later signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. In the abbreviated 2021 season, Murphy helped Tusculum to a 4-1 overall record and dethroned Lenoir-Rhyne by claiming the 2021 SAC Spring Football Championship, the first for the Pioneers since 2008.

Under Murphy’s guidance, Tusculum freshman defensive back Jermaine Witherspoon collected a pair of interceptions including one in the title game, adding a pair of breakups on the spring season.

Originally from St. Petersburg, Fla., Murphy served as the cornerbacks coach at Valdosta State University in 2018 where he helped current Catamount head coach Kerwin Bell guide the Blazers to an undefeated season (14-0) and a NCAA Division II national title. VSU also won the Gulf South Conference crown as the Blazer secondary ranked eighth in the nation in passes intercepted and ninth in red zone defense. VSU led the nation in defensive touchdowns with seven.

Murphy originally signed to play football at Georgia Southern and was out of football until his return to the gridiron in 2014 where he was a three-year starter at Valdosta State (2014-2016) at cornerback. He finished his career with 62 total tackles, 13 passes defended, two interceptions, forced two fumbles and recovered another. He garnered 2014 USA Football All-American honors and was named to the All-Gulf South Conference team that same year.

Murphy is a 2018 graduate of Valdosta State.

65 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #65 Camden Myers

It's now 65 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 an offensive lineman

#65 Camden Myers

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6-3
Weight: 260
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Irmo, S.C.
High School: Dutch Fork HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on … Three-year varsity letter winner, playing offensive guard and tackle … Was a three-time state champion, posting a 46-7 record as a prep … Selected as an All-American Offensive Lineman by the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl … Also played lacrosse as a prep, earning the sportsmanship award.

Personal: Full name is Camden James Myers ... Is the son of Kacey and Clete Myers, who met while students at WCU ... Was born in Harrisonburg, Va. ... Has an older brother, Jacob.

66 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #66 Derek Simmons

It's now 66 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 an offensive lineman

#66 Derek Simmons

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6-6
Weight: 315
Class: Senior
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
High School: Fletcher HS









2023 (Junior): Started the first six games in which he saw action along the offensive line before being sidelined at the end of the season … Did not record any official statistics … Made his WCU debut in the road game at SEC-foe Arkansas (Sept. 2).

2022 (Sophomore): Did not see game action, missing the season due to transfer rules.

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Abilene Christian where he was on the 2021 roster after beginning his collegiate career at Tusculum in 2020, playing in one game vs. Limestone; High School: Lettered in both football and baseball at Fletcher High where he was coached by Kevin Brown ... Was first-team All-District with 43 pancake blocks as a senior.

Personal: Full name is Derek Joseph Simmons ... Is the son of Stacey and Joe Simmons ... Was born in Fredrick, Md. ... Has two siblings, Taylor Slivka and Hunter Slivka.

67 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #67 Steven Hamby

It's now 67 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful a little 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 an offensive lineman

#67  Steven Hamby

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-5
Weight 285
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Statesville, N.C.
High School Statesville HS









2023 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Expected to take a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity starter including at right tackle as a sophomore and left tackle his junior and senior seasons ... Team captain as a senior ... Was a two-time All-Western Foothills Athletic Conference selection and a three-time All-County selection along the offensive line ... Named first-team 3-A All-State on the offensive line as a senior while also earning All-State honors as a junior ... Selected to the 2022 North Carolina High School Bluesheet All-State Academic Team in 2022 ... Selected as an alternate for the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl ... Played for the North Team in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl game in January 2023 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. ... Also wrestled as a prep where he won the conference heavyweight championship as a junior and qualified for the state tournament.