47 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #47 Blue Monroe

It's now 47 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 defensive linebacker:

#47 Blue Monroe

Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-1
Weight: 235
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Concord, N.C.
High School: Jay M. Robinson HS










2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 of the team’s games, mostly on special teams and as a reserve on defense … Credited with 11 total tackles including five solo stops … Had two tackles for nine yards in losses including half a sack, adding a quarterback hurry … Posted tackles in six of the 11 games on the year … Recorded with two tackles at Arkansas (Sept. 2) with a pair of solo stops including a tackle for loss against Mercer (Oct. 28) … Had two kickoff returns for 30 total yards on short kicks against Mercer, returning one 20 total yards … Finished with a career-best three stops with half a tackle for loss in the road win at Wofford (Nov. 4) ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman): Played in four games as a true freshman, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Saw time on special teams and as a reserve on defense … Made his collegiate debut at Samford (Sept. 24) … Credited with two kickoff returns as an up-back, totaling 14 total yards including a 13-yard return at Furman (Oct. 15) … Matched a team-high with seven tackles including a tackle for loss in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played quarterback and outside linebacker as a prep, starting his high school career at Hough High with a year at Central Cabarrus High before finishing at Robinson High ... As a senior, finished with 76 tackles including 32 solo stops and nine tackles for loss with one sack and an interception, according to MaxPreps.com ... Recovered three fumbles and credited with two passes defended ... As a prep, passed for over 2,500 yards with 22 touchdowns while rushing for right at 1,000 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

Personal: Full name is Blue Kincade Monroe ... Is the son of April and Ken Monroe ... His father played football at Wingate and his mother is a former body builder ... Has an older sibling, Storm, who plays linebacker at Davidson College, and a younger sibling, Haven.

48 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #48 Colby Cross

It's now 48 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 another special teams player, a long snapper:

#48  Colby Cross

Position: Long Snapper
Height: 6-0
Weight: 225
Class: Redshirt Senior
Hometown: Mooresville, N.C.
High School: Lake Norman HS

2023 (Redshirt Junior): Played in all 11 of the team’s games as the primary long-snapper on punts and placekicks … Credited with one tackle against Mercer (Oct. 28) … Selected to the 2023 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team … Named to the 2024 NFF Hampshire Honor Society ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in two games on special teams … Saw action in the home wins over Presbyterian (Sept. 17) and nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Nov. 19), did not record any official statistics ... 

Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2021 (Freshman*): Did not see game action, sidelined much of the season due to injury ... Named to the 2021-22 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2020-21 (Freshman): Played in all nine of the team’s games as the long-snapper … Was not credited with any official statistics … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Liberty (Nov. 14) ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-year varsity letter winner at Lake Norman High as the long-snapper on special teams ... Joined the WCU football team as a walk-on.

Personal: Is the son of Kim and Tom Cross.

 

 

49 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #49 Corbin Shirley

It's now 49 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 WCU kicker:

#49 Corbin Shirley

Position: Kicker
Height: 5-10
Weight: 160
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Seneca, S.C.
High School: Seneca HS










2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in two games at the end of the season, kicking off a combined eight times on the season for a total of 493 yards and two touchbacks … Kicked off four times for 236 yards with an average of 59 yards per attempt in the home win over ETSU (Nov. 11) … Posted four kickoffs at VMI (Nov. 18) for 257 yards for an average of 64.25 yards with a pair of touchbacks against the Keydets … In WCU’s annual Spring Game, connected on all four PAT attempts ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Handled the punting duties during WCU’s annual Spring Game, averaging right at 40 yards per punt while adding a pair of PATs in the intrasquad scrimmage ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Finished 12-of-18 on field goals including 8-for-10 as a senior, also going 45-of-47 on PATs ... Earned all-conference honors and was a finalist for the Carolina Bowl ... Earned 4.5 stars at Kohls Kicking Camp and five stars at the ProKicker camp ... Earned school Athlete of the Week honors after kicking three field goals for 12 points in a game in mid-October of his senior year ... Also played varsity soccer for three years ... Was a three-time All-State selection in chorus.

Personal: Full name is Phillip Corbin Shirley ... Is the son of Jodie and Phil Shirley ... Both of his parents went to Western Carolina with his father, Phil, kicking for the Catamount football team in 1991-94 - he led WCU in scoring in 1992 (68 pts) and 1994 (50 pts), finishing his playing career 27-of-52 (.519) ... Has an older sister, Emma, who also attends Western Carolina.

50 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #50 Edwin Moore Jr.

It's now 50 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 defensive lineman:

#50 Edwin Moore Jr.

Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6-3
Weight: 265
Class: True Freshman
Hometown: Decatur, Ga.
High School: Columbia HS











Prior to Western Carolina: Finished the 2023 regular season with 63 total tackles including 24.5 tackles for loss with six sacks in helping Columbia High go 7-3 and make Georgia’s AA playoffs … Added a PBU, a fumble forced and a fumble recovery … As a junior in 2022, totaled 37 tackles with 14.5 TFLs with a sack … High school head coach was Greg Barnett … Is listed as a three-start recruit by 247Sports … Expected to enroll early in the spring 2024.

Personal: Is the son of Latoya Moore and his grandmother is Pamela Martin.

51 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #51 Aaron Sanez

It's now 51 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 another offensive lineman:

#51  Aaron Sanez

 Position: Offensive Line
 Height: 6-2
 Weight: 290
 Class: Redshirt Sophomore
 Hometown: Clearwater, Fla.
 High School: Clearwater HS









2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in six games on the season with three starts along the offensive line and on special teams … Did not record official statistics … Played at Arkansas (Sept. 2), at home against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) and in the road win at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Made his first career start against Mercer (Oct. 28), adding starts against ETSU (Nov. 11) and at VMI (Nov. 18).

2022 (Freshman): Played in three games as a true freshman, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Saw action as a reserve along the offensive line and on special teams … Made his collegiate debut in the season opener on the road at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) … Also played in the home win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17) and on the road at Samford (Sept. 24).

Prior to Western Carolina: Named to the first-team All-Pinellas County football team compiled by Suncoast News and the Tampa Beacon as both a junior and senior ... Earned second-team All-State honors as a senior … Credited with 60 pancake blocks in 13 games by MaxPreps ... Served as a team manager for the high school baseball team.

Personal: Full name is Aaron Jordan Sanez ... Is the son of Lisa and Gus Sanez ... Is one of five children: AJ, Ashley, Anthony, and Andrew.

52 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #52 Manasseh Ripert

It's now 52 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 another offensive lineman:

#52 Manasseh Ripert

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6-4
Weight: 320
Class: Junior
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
College: Dodge City Community College

High School: Lakeland HS










Prior to Western Carolina: Two-time transfer after beginning his career at Kentucky Christian and Dodge City Community College ... Played in seven games at Dodge City and in six games at Kentucky Christian in Grayson, Ky., as a true freshman.

53 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #53 Zach Watson

It's now 53 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 another offensive lineman:

#53 Zach Watson

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6-1
Weight: 265
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Waycross, Ga.
High School: Ware County HS









2023 (Freshman): Played in three games, twice entering as a reserve along the offensive line and special teams with one start … Remained eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2) while also playing in the home win against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Made his first career start along the offensive line at Wofford (Nov. 4) … Credited with one tackle in the road win at Wofford.

Prior to Western Carolina: Helped guide Ware County High to a 14-0 season and a state championship as a senior … Named to the All-Region team as an offensive lineman as a senior … Two-sport athlete as a prep, also plays baseball.

Personal: Is the son of Carlos Watson.

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.