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.

95 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Chris Norris

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

It's now 95 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 #95, so we will highlight another assistant coach:

Chris Norris

TITLE Assistant Coach / Special Teams Coordinator












Chris Norris joined the Catamount football coaching staff as the special teams coordinator in early March 2022. Norris spent the five previous seasons working as a football analyst focusing primarily on special teams at the University of Oregon.

Over his football career, Norris has been a part of two national championship squads coming as a player at Nebraska in 1994 and 1995 and six conference championship programs as a coach since 1999. He has mentored two, Top 10 NFL Draft picks, worked with six All-America selections who combined to earn accolades over nine seasons, and 19 combined players to earn all-conference plaudits.

During his five seasons on the sidelines at Oregon, Norris was instrumental in Oregon's success on special teams, teaming with special teams coach Bobby Williams over the last three. As an analyst, Oregon landed a special teams player on the first-team All-Pac-12 Conference in a vote of the league's coaches. In 2019, Brady Breeze claimed the all-purpose/special teams honor following Brenden Schooler being named to the position the previous two seasons.

With the Ducks, Norris mentored punters, Tom Snee and Blake Maimone. Snee averaged 43.64 yards per punt in the 2020 season shortened by COVID-19 – second in the Pac-12 and 28th nationally. Maimone completed his collegiate career with a 43.4-yard average on 107 career punts.

Oregon also excelled in the kickoff return game in 2020, leading the Pac-12 in returns of 30-or-more yards with seven. In 2019, Oregon was the only team in the nation to rank in the top 10 in both punt return average and kickoff return average. The Ducks finished eighth in the nation and second in the Pac-12 with a 26.28 kickoff return average. UO was ninth in the country and third in the league with a 14.33 punt return average.

Before making the move to the Pacific Northwest, Norris spent a season at the University of South Florida serving as a recruiting assistant and special teams advisor. He helped the Bulls to an 11-2 record and a spot in the Birmingham Bowl. Punt returner D'Ernest Johnson claimed second-team All-American Athletic Conference following the season.

Norris' coaching experience includes three seasons at Webber International as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach where he mentored five players to all-conference recognition including all-time leading rusher Darius Page who ran for 1,239 yards in 2015.

He also spent eight seasons on the sidelines at Southeast Missouri State from 2006-13, again coaching running backs and serving as the special teams coach. While at SEMO, Norris coached Henry Harris, the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-American, who shattered numerous school records. Harris, who finished fifth in the overall voting for the Walter Payton Award, became Southeast's all-time single-season leader in rushing yards, all-purpose yards, points scored, total touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns.

Norris helped a SEMO punter earn All-America honors in four of his first six years on the Redhawks coaching staff. Return men flourished under Norris' leadership. Five of Southeast's top-10 career kick return leaders came under Norris' watch.

His experience includes three seasons at Jacksonville (2003-05) where he coached All-Americans in each of his three seasons with the Dolphins including punter Ryan Long in 2003 and punter/kicker Ryan Feely in 2004. Norris also spent three seasons at Tennessee State as special teams coordinator and running backs coach after beginning his college coaching career as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Northern State in South Dakota.

Norris played fullback at Nebraska (1991-95) helping the Cornhuskers win National Championships in both 1994 and 1995. Nebraska compiled a 47-3 record during his time in Lincoln. During the 1995 season, he suffered a career-ending injury. Despite the injury, he became a student-assistant coach and helped lead the Cornhuskers to a fifth straight Big Eight title and a second consecutive National Championship.

Originally from Papillion, Neb., Norris earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska-Omaha in 1999. He and his wife, Tracee, have one daughter, Breeze.

Memorial Day - Remember the Fallen

 

96 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #96 K.J. Milner

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

It's now 96 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 #96, and another defensive lineman:

K.J. Milner

POSITION Defensive Line
HEIGHT 6-4
WEIGHT 265
CLASS Senior
HOMETOWN Hinesville, Ga.
HIGH SCHOOL Bradwell Institute

2020-21 (Junior): Started all seven of the games in which he saw action, missing the final two games of the spring semester … Recorded 15 total tackles including seven solo stops with three tackles for loss with a sack … Credited with four quarterback hurries … Posted a season-best three solo stops at Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 21), including a TFL and two hurries … Made a season-high four tackles against The Citadel (March 13).

2019 (Sophomore): Started 11 of WCU’s 12 games along the defensive line … Recorded 41 total tackles, eighth on the defense but was the top defensive lineman … Posted 15 solo tackles and four tackles for loss including one sack and was credited for a team-best seven quarterback hurries … Recovered a pair of fumbles … Tallied five tackles at N.C. State (Sept. 7) and six tackle assists against Furman (Oct. 26) … Posted a season-high seven tackles against Samford (Nov. 16), charting three hurries and recovering a fumble.

2018 (Freshman): Played in eight of the team’s 11 seasonal games, making three starts along the defensive line … Missed the final three games of the regular season … Finished with 15 total tackles with five solo stops … Tallied two tackles for loss including one sack … Credited with two quarterback hurries and a pass break-up … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Newberry (Sept. 1) … Recorded his first career tackles at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 14) … Made his first career start at Furman (Sept. 29), posting a career-high five tackles including four solo stops … Matched his career-best with five tackles at Samford (Oct. 6) … Had one tackle in the triple-overtime game at ETSU (Oct. 27), tallying his first career sack ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Starting his prep career on junior varsity, played on the varsity roster all four years … Recorded 66 total tackles including 32 solo stops with a sack as a senior, earning him 2-AAAAAA First Team Defense plaudits … Had a fumble recovery and returned an interception for a touchdown … Was selected to the 2018 Blitz Border Bowl and the 2018 “War of the Border” High School All-Star football game … Earned the football “Captain’s Award” … Posted the highest grade point average on the team and saw time at tight end as a sophomore ... High school coach was Ross Couch … Joined the National Honor Society as a junior … Also participated in track & field as a prep, placing third in the shot put, and was a four-year letter winner in varsity boys basketball as a center and power forward.

Personal: Full name is Willie Keith Milner Jr., but goes by K.J. … Is the son of Francesca and Willie Keith Milner Sr. … Was born in Wurzburg, Germany … Has three younger siblings, Andre, Trey, and Xavier … His father owns a music store and his mother is a United States soldier.

97 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Chazmon Scales

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

It's now 97 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 #97, so we'll highlight an assistant coach:

Chazmon Scales

TITLE Assistant Coach / Defensive Coordinator / Safeties

Chaz Scales joined the Catamount football coaching staff in early July 2021 as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Scales, a former football student-athlete at Arkansas State comes to Cullowhee after serving two seasons on staff at Central Arkansas in the same capacity.

Scales helped Central Arkansas to the 2019 Southland Conference Championship and competing in the fall of 2020, to a 5-4 overall in his second season. Scales guided Cameron Godfrey to Fall All-Southland Conference honors after leading the Bears with 51 tackles including 31 solo stops, adding a pair of interceptions, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He also worked with first-team All-America selection Robert Rochelle, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, and second-team All-Southland honoree Juan Jackson.

While at Central Arkansas, Scales was selected as a participant in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. He interned with the New York Giants through mini-camp and team training camp where he assisted with the defensive backs.

Prior to accepting the position at UCA, Scales was an assistant coach at Tusculum for the 2017 and 2018 seasons where coached the cornerbacks and was the pass game coordinator while also serving as the co-special teams coordinator. ScaleS mentored All-South Atlantic Conference and All-Region cornerback Martez Thompson, All-SAC selection Malik Goodman, and two-time All-South Atlantic performer Dee Alford who went on to sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

With Scales on staff, the Pioneer defense led the conference in turnovers with 13 interceptions and a league-best 12 fumbles recovered, while also pacing the SAC in pass defense in limiting opponents to just 170 yards per game through the air.

Scales earned his coaching start in 2014 as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of West Georgia where he was a part of a 12-3 season that included a semifinal appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Wolves finished tied for third in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) and finished the year ranked sixth in the nation according to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

Scales instructed West Georgia safety Carlos Hutton, who led the GSC with 13 passes defended and was second with four interceptions, garnering USA College Football All-America plaudits. In addition to Hutton, cornerback Laronji Vason earned All-GSC honors as Vason notched 72 stops, two interceptions, and a pair of fumble recoveries under Scales.

In 2015, Scales served as a quality control assistant working with the cornerbacks and special teams at Valdosta State helping the Blazers to nine victories and a NCAA Division II playoff berth, finishing the year ranked 14th in the final AFCA poll. Defensive back Kenny Moore thrived under Scales, tallying three interceptions including two returned for touchdowns in earning USA College Football All-America and All-GSC plaudits.

In 2016, he served as running backs coach at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

As a player, Scales was a four-year contributor on defense at Arkansas State where he was a part of two consecutive Sun Belt Conference championship teams as a junior and senior, earning berths in the GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Ala. He helped the Red Wolves win nine-straight games in 2011 and seven consecutive to end his senior season. Scales was a standout player at Centennial High School where he was selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class 5A All-State team following a senior season in which he accounted for 2,400 yards and 29 touchdowns as the quarterback for the Cougars.

Originally from Franklin, Tenn., Scales is a 2012 graduate of Arkansas State with a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies.