Weber State ranks No. 22 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Wildcats finished 6-5 last year, missing the FCS playoffs.
Here’s a look at the 2024 Weber State football squad.
Returning 2023 All-Conference Players (1)
Second Team
DE Brayden Wilson
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (2)
Terrance Caldwell (OL), Cornell
Caden Kellow (LS), Missouri State
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (8)
Dijon Jennings (QB), Akron
Kade Moore (WR), BYU
Kemari Munier-Bailey (DL), Fresno State
AJ Jayroe (WR), Louisiana
Jason White (OL), Oregon State
Noah Bennee (TE), Utah
Hunter Deuel (OL), Utah
Jacob Edmonds (OL), Utah
Transfers Lost To The FCS (3)
Abraham Williams (DB/RS) to Idaho
Josh Higgins (DB) to Jackson State
Trey Kalauli (LS) to Utah Tech
Transfers Lost To The FBS (6)
Marque Collins (DB) to BYU
Jack Kelly (LB) to BYU
Okiki Olorunfunmi (DL) to New Mexico
Treyshun Hurry (WR) to San Jose State
Tyler Chen (OL) to San Jose State
Jack Burgess (P) to Texas Tech
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Offensive Outlook
After scoring 24 points per game last fall (No. 72 in the FCS), Weber State returns its starting quarterback from the end of the year, No. 2 and 3 running backs, and No. 2 wide receiver. The offensive line loses four starters.
Weber’s offense was sputtering last season until freshman quarterback Richie Munoz took over the starting role in the final five games. Munoz went 3-2 as the starter and won the final three games, including beating No. 4 Idaho. He finished 90/147 passing for 1,054 yards, 10 touchdowns, and one interception along with 93 rushing yards and two scores.
Akron transfer Dijon Jennings joins the QB room as well.
The Wildcats lose Kris Jackson, their top running back from last year. But Damon Bankston is back as a more-than-capable RB1. He was limited to five games last year before a season-ending injury. He still finished second on the team with 388 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 64 attempts. In 2022, Bankston was an All-Big Sky Honorable Mention selection after carrying the ball 126 times for 709 yards and eight TDs.
Adrian Cormier also returns after rushing 75 times for 294 yards and a score as a freshman.
Weber’s offensive line, typically a strength, will have new names as Gavin Ortega (6’5” 310 lbs) is the lone returning starter. The Wildcats added transfer Terrance Caldwell, a two-year starting center at Cornell. They also signed three FBS transfers on the o-line — Oregon State’s Jason White, Utah’s Hunter Deuel, and Utah’s Jacob Edmonds.
Wide receiver Jacob Sharp returns after finishing second on last year’s team with 26 catches for 382 yards, including a team-high five receiving TDs. Jayleen Record eyes an elevated role as the next most productive returning pass-catcher. The WR had 10 catches for 163 yards and two TDs last fall.
Three FBS transfers look to make an impact in the passing game — BYU WR Kade Moore, Louisiana WR AJ Jayroe, and Utah TE Noah Bennee.
Defensive Outlook
Weber returns six of its top 12 tacklers after allowing 24.1 points per game (No. 40 in the FCS). The defense also brings back eight of its 14 players who logged at least 200 snaps last year, although it loses its top six leaders in reps.
Linebacker Garrett Beck is the most productive returning player after finishing fourth on last year’s team in tackles, tallying 52 stops, three TFLs, and one interception.
In front of Beck is a d-line with a wealth of experience. Weber’s top eight linemen in snaps all return, each tallying between 180 and 500 snaps.
Defensive end Brayden Wilson (6’5” 260 lbs) was a 2023 All-Big Sky Second Team selection after totaling 52 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, and 7.5 sacks. DE Keahnist Thompson (6’3” 250 lbs) played more than 400 snaps as a freshman and totaled 29 tackles, four TFLs, and 2.5 sacks.
The interior of the d-line had a heavy rotation last year. Returning are:
- Easton Payne (6’3” 270 lbs) — 399 snaps, 28 tackles, four TFLs
- Matt Herron (6’3” 275 lbs) — 372 snaps, 22 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks
- Steven Bryant (6’3” 270 lbs) — 222 snaps, 15 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks
- Kaufusi Pakofe Jr. (6’3” 315 lbs) — 219 snaps, 17 tackles
- Ben Beecher (6’1” 265 lbs) — 194 snaps, 14 tackles
- Zeke Birch (6’4” 290 lbs) — 180 snaps, 19 tackles, three TFLs, 1.5 sacks
Fresno State transfer Kemari Munier-Bailey (6’3” 230 lbs) was added to the DL group this offseason.
The secondary has some holes to fill, losing its top two safeties and top two cornerbacks in snaps. CB Jalon Rock does return after logging 480 snaps, 30 tackles, one interception, and five pass breakups.
2024 Preseason Preview Central
Weber State Football Schedule
8/31 at Washington
9/7 vs Portland State
9/14 at Lamar
9/21 at Northwestern State
9/28 vs McNeese
10/5 at No. 3 Montana
10/12 vs Northern Colorado
10/19 at No. 8 Sacramento State
11/2 at Northern Arizona
11/9 vs Idaho State
11/16 at No. 7 Idaho
11/23 vs Cal Poly
Bold indicates Big Sky games
HERO Sports’ rankings
