Western Carolina ranks No. 16 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Catamounts finished 7-4 last year, missing the FCS playoffs.
Here’s a look at the 2024 WCU football squad.
Returning 2023 All-Conference Players (2)
First Team
QB Cole Gonzales
Second Team
OL Blake Whitmore
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (3)
Tyquez Royal (DB), Campbell
Brett Gray (OL), Valpo
Amarian Robinson (DB), Youngstown State
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (4)
Jordan Daniels (OL), Akron
Christian Lowery (K), Cincinnati
Ugo Nosike (DL), Eastern Michigan
Jefferson Boaz (QB), North Carolina
Transfers Lost To The FCS (3)
Antwann Fann (OL) to Campbell
Brandon Smiley (DL) to Elon
Marselle Felton (OL) to Norfolk State
Transfers Lost To The FBS (3)
Desmond Reid (RB) to Pitt
Censere Lee (WR) to Pitt
Andreas Keaton (DB) to Temple
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Offensive Outlook
WCU averaged 37.5 points per game last season, ranking No. 4 in the FCS. The offense returns its standout quarterback, its No. 2 RB who started the final four games, and four offensive linemen who logged at least three starts (three with at least six starts). WCU has to replace its top two wide receivers.
Cole Gonzales returns as one of the best quarterbacks in the FCS. He was voted by the media as the 2023 SoCon Offensive Player of the Year after a breakout sophomore season. Gonzales finished 204/310 passing for 2,803 yards, 28 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, plus 203 rushing yards. His passing efficiency of 166.4 ranked No. 3 in the FCS.
Gonzales loses his top two targets from last year. But AJ Colombo looks to step into a larger role after finishing No. 3 on the team with 31 catches for 438 yards and five TDs. Calvin Jones is also back after tallying 27 receptions for 348 yards and two scores.
Standout RB Desmond Reid departed to the FBS. He rushed for nearly 900 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, although he missed a few games as he battled injury. Branson Adams showed great signs stepping in for Reid. Adams, who is back this fall, started the final four games. He totaled 89 rushes for 539 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and three TDs on the season.
Strong experience returns on the o-line. Four players who started at least three games last year are back, including three who started at least six.
Blake Whitmore (6’2″ 295 lbs) is a multi-year starter, Xavier Graham (6’2″ 330 lbs) started nine games last season, Derek Simmons (6’6″ 315 lbs) started the first six games before an injury, and Aaron Sanez (6’2″ 290 lbs) logged three starts.
Caleb Carter (6’3″ 300 lbs) has experience as well, starting the first two games last year before a season-ending injury.
WCU brought in two D1 transfers on the offensive line. Brett Gray (6’3″ 275 lbs) arrives from Valpo, where he started 11 games in 2023. Jordan Daniels (6’5″ 310 lbs) comes in from Akron, where he played in 21 games over three seasons with four starts.
Defensive Outlook
WCU allowed 27.7 points per game in 2023, ranking No. 73 in the FCS. Returning this fall are eight of the top 11 tacklers and 11 of the 17 players who logged at least 250 snaps.
Safety Lee Campbell and cornerback CJ Williams are the top returning tacklers after finishing third on last year’s squad with 44 stops. Campbell added five pass breakups while Williams had six pass breakups and an interception.
Safety Ed Jones IV wasn’t far behind, totaling 40 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two sacks, and one interception in 10 starts. He adds valuable experience in the secondary along with cornerback Samaurie Dukes. Dukes started seven games, tallying 29 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, four pass breakups, and three interceptions.
Cornerback Ken Moore Jr. will be an impact player as well after being named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team. He had 17 tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception.
At linebacker, Antoine Williams eyes a big season in his second year in WCU’s system. Williams transferred to WCU last offseason after an All-American 2022 campaign at Austin Peay, where he racked up 91 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, and four sacks. Last year for the Catamounts, he had 39 tackles, three TFLs, two pass breakups, and three quarterback hurries. Hayward McQueen Jr. is another experienced linebacker, making eight starts in 2023 and recording 26 tackles and five TFLs.
WCU returns five defensive linemen who played at least 250 snaps a season ago.
Jaquarius Guinn (6’2″ 290 lbs), who has 30 career starts, totaled 26 tackles and two sacks last fall. Caleb Fisher (6’3″ 240 lbs) started 11 games in 2023 and had 18 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and four quarterback hurries. Chris Morgan (6’0″ 285 lbs) started two games and recorded 30 tackles and four TFLs. Curtis Fann Jr. (6’3″ 255 lbs) had 22 tackles and two sacks. And Tahjae Mullix (6’3″ 270 lbs) totaled 22 tackles.
The Catamounts added two FCS transfers to the mix.
Tyquez Royal is a defensive back from Campbell, and Amarian Robinson is a DB from Youngstown State. Royal played in nine games over two seasons. Robinson played in 40 career games with five starts.
2024 Preseason Preview Central
Western Carolina Football Schedule
8/29 at NC State
9/7 vs Campbell
9/14 at RV Elon
9/21 at No. 3 Montana
10/5 vs Wofford
10/12 vs The Citadel
10/19 at No. 14 Furman
10/26 at Mercer
11/2 vs No. 10 Chattanooga
11/9 at ETSU
11/16 vs VMI
11/23 at Samford
Bold indicates SoCon games
HERO Sports’ rankings
RV = Received votes
