44 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #44 Isaac McLellan

 

It's now 44 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Tight End: 

#44 Isaac McLellan

Position Tight End
Height 6-2
Weight 240
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Rock Hill, S.C.
High School Northwestern HS








2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 10 of the team’s 12 games on special teams and as a reserve on offense after converting to tight end … Credited with a pair of solo tackles on special teams, posting tackles at nationally-ranked Montana (Sept. 21) and against VMI (Nov. 16) … Forced a fumble on a second-quarter kickoff with WCU up 20-7 that was recovered by the Griz … Recovered a fumble against VMI on a kickoff that led to a WCU offensive touchdown.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 games, mostly on special teams … Credited with two total tackles, recording his first official statistics on a tackle assist against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Tallied a solo stop at nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Oct. 7) … Made the transition to tight end during WCU’s annual spring drills ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman): Played in four games, each as a defensive reserve during the season, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Did not record any official statistics … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over VMI (Oct. 1).

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner for head coach Page Wofford at Northwestern High ... Finished his prep career with 185 career tackles including 117 total hits with 46 solo stops as a senior, earnin all-region and all-state honors ... Recorded 10 sacks in his senior season in collecting top annual defensive lineman honors ... Finalist for the Carolina Bowl ... Was a five-time Player of the Game and a four-time Player of the Week selection in 2021 ... Earned Academic Honors all four years of high school ... Was also a two-time South Carolina state champion in wrestling as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Malcolm Isaac McLellan ... Is the son of Saron and Matt Silver ... Has a younger sister, Gabby ... Is the first person from his family to play in college.

45 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #45 Sean Morris

 

It's now 45 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Defensive Lineman: 

#45 Sean Morris

Position Defensive Tackle
Height 6-1
Weight 295
Class Senior
Hometown Lansdowne, Pa.
High School St. Joseph's Prep

46 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #46 Nolan McClanahan

 

It's now 46 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Linebacker: 

#46 Nolan McClanahan

Position Linebacker
Height 6-1
Weight 225
Class True Freshman
Hometown Lake Mary, Fla.
High School Lake Mary HS

47 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #47 Blue Monroe

 

It's now 47 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Linebacker: 

#47 Blue Monroe

Position Linebacker
Height 6-1
Weight 230
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Concord, N.C.
High School Jay M. Robinson HS








2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 11 of the team’s 12 games with a pair of starts on defense … Credited with 36 total tackles, including 19 solo stops with eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks … Recorded tackles in all 11 games he saw action, with multiple stops in 10 games … Charted a pair of quarterback hurries … On special teams, returned on short kickoff four yards against Wofford (Oct. 5) … Combined on a tackle for loss in the season-opener at NC State (Aug. 29) … Two of his three solo tackles against Campbell (Sept. 7) went as TFLs for losses … Posted a season-high eight tackles with four solo stops in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19).

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 Catamount Football Kickoff - #48 Cole Craddock

 

It's now 48 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a Tight End: 

#48  Cole Craddock

Position Tight End
Height 6-4
Weight 235
Class True Freshman
Hometown Tarboro, N.C.
High School Tarboro HS

49 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - #49 Bryce Hart

 

It's now 49 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight a linebacker: 

#49 Bryce Hart

Position Linebacker
Height 6-2
Weight 220
Class Freshman
Hometown Ringgold, Ga.
High School Ringgold HS










Prior to Western Carolina: Was named the GHSA Region 7-AA Defensive Player of the Year after recording 162 tackles with eight stops for loss and 12 quarterback hits … Named to the first team “Best of Preps” in northern Georgia and Chattanooga area by the Times Free-Press … Finished his prep career with 407 tackles, was twice named All-State and was a three-time recipient of first-team All-Region honors … Twice dubbed his team’s defensive MVP … Was a three-time class president and a two-time theater state champion while in high school.

50 Days Until Catamount Football - #50 Jarvis Adams Jr

 

It's now 50 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight an offensive lineman: 

#50 Jarvis Adams Jr

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-2
Weight 290
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Rome, Ga.
High School Rome HS











Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred from Kennesaw State with four years of eligibility remaining … Did not see action as a true freshman in 2024… Listed as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … High School: Played for head coach John Reid at Rome HS … Team went undefeated in the 6AAAAAA region during his senior season … Part of back-to-back 11-or-more win seasons … Was a three-time first-team all-region and first-team all-county selection… Also competed in track & field as a prep, qualifying for sectionals as a high school junior with a personal-best throw of 49.15 in the shot put.

Personal: Grandson of George and Wanda Adams … Has four brothers and six sisters.

51 Days Until Catamount Football - #51 Aaron Sanez

 

It's now 51 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight an offensive lineman: 

#51 Aaron Sanez

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-2
Weight 300
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Clearwater, Fla.
High School Clearwater HS










2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Missed the season due to injury, returning to limited action during the squad's spring drills.

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 Catamount Football - #52 Manasseh Ripert

 

It's now 52 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight an offensive lineman: 

#52 Manasseh Ripert

Position Offensive Line
Height 6-4
Weight 310
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Lakeland, Fla.
High School Lakeland HS










2024 (Junior): Played in three games with one start along the offensive line, making his WCU debut and first start at ETSU (Nov. 9) … Also saw time on special teams and along the offensive front against VMI (Nov. 16) and the regular-season finale at Samford (Nov. 23) … Did not record any official statistics.

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 Catamount Football - #53 Zach Watson

 

It's now 53 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight an offensive lineman: 

#53 Zach Watson

Position Offensive Line 

Height 6-1 Weight 300
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Waycross, Ga.
High School Ware County HS









2024 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in 11 of the team’s 12 games, including three starts along the offensive line … Only missed the Wofford game at home … Started three of the final four games, making his first seasonal start against Chattanooga (Nov. 2) … Credited with one tackle at Mercer (Oct. 26) … Did not record any additional official statistics … Named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team … Was a third-team Freshman All-America selection by Phil Steele.

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 Catamount Football - #54 is Retired in Honor of Art Byrd (1946-49)

 

 

It's now 54 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

Today, we will highlight #54 which is retired in honor of Art Byrd

#54 Art Byrd

• Class

   

  1950

• Induction

   

  1990

• Sport

   

  Football

Art Byrd - Football - (1946-49) Art Byrd was Western Carolina's first football All American Selection in 1949 when he helped lead the Catamounts to the North State Conference championship, the school's first football title. He was a two way player as an offensive and defensive lineman who amazingly was in on every play of every game in the 1948 season. According to his head coach, Tom Young, Byrd "epitomized the spirit of those fine football teams that put us on the map." Byrd was a catalyst of three winning records in his four seasons (1946-49). His jersey and number - 54- was the first to be retired in Western Carolina's athletic history.

First football All-America selection at Western Carolina University, playing guard on both the offensive and defensive side of the football ... Helped the Catamounts to an 8-2 regular season mark in 1949 and their first North State Conference title ... That team additionally holds the distinction of being WCU's first to earn a postseason bid, playing in the Smoky Mountain Bowl in Bristol, Va. ... Is the first Western Carolina student-athlete to have their jersey retired ... Inducted into the Western Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990, WCU's first-ever induction class.

55 Days Until Catamount Football - #55 Secrea Algie

 

It's now 55 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more 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 305
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Snellville, Ga.
High School Brookwood HS

2024 (Freshman): Did not see game action, expected to take a redshirt.

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.