Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina football and head coach Mark Speir today added 10 signees to the 2020 recruiting class bringing the total in this year's incoming crop to 18, joining the eight that signed in the early period in December or joined the roster with the opening of the 2020 spring semester.
 
Among Wednesday's additions on the traditional National Signing Day were six players on offense, three on defense, and one on special teams in Knoxville Catholic kicker, Paxton Robertson. All told including those signed in the early period back in mid-December, Western Carolina's 2020 incoming class featured 10 offensive players, seven total on defense and the one specialist. (Complete incoming class roster listed below).
 
"National Signing Day is always an exciting time for the lifeblood of any football program. We signed a very solid class of student-athletes who will help the future progress of this program," said Speir. "We were able to address the needs on both offense, defense, and in the kicking game. We can't wait to get this group on camps and watch them work."
 
For a second-straight year, Western Carolina landed seven recruits that garnered at least two stars from either 247Sports.com or Rivals.com. Five of the incoming student-athletes earned at least one, three-star rating from the same sites. Three of WCU's recruits received interest from Power Five conference schools including two that inked NLIs with Big Ten (Nebraska) and ACC (Boston College) programs out of high school and are transferring to the FCS-member school while one verbally committed to a Big XII member in this recruiting cycle.
 
The Catamount Club's annual Football Signing Day Reception – presented by Ingles, the Chef's Kitchen – will take place this Saturday, Feb. 8, prior to the Catamount men's basketball game against chromatic conference-rival, Furman (2 pm tipoff). Speir and his staff will talk about the upcoming 2020 Catamount football season and provide an analysis of this year's incoming class providing an overview of each signee. Catamount Club members at the Top Cat level and above are eligible to attend the exclusive event which begins at 11:00 am with a social catered by Ingles, with the recruiting program to follow at 12:15 pm in the auxiliary gym of the Ramsey Center (use outside doors to enter).
 
"We are looking forward to having the Catamount Club along with our great partner, Ingles, here this Saturday as we present our 2020 incoming class at the Signing Day Reception. Then, we want everyone to go into the main arena for a huge Southern Conference basketball game against Furman. Let's Pack the RAC this Saturday here in Cullowhee," Speir concluded.
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount football and WCU Athletics through social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/CatamountSports) and Twitter (@Catamounts, @CatamountsFB).
 
Noting WCU's 2020 Incoming Class:
In-state Products from North Carolina (6): Carter (Jacksonville), Jones (Forest City), Moore (Greenville), Smith (Robersonville), Stanley (Wilmington), Sutton (Concord)
From South Carolina (5): Gethers (Blythewood), Guinn (Clover), Heath (Columbia), Quillen (Florence), Talley (Spartanburg)
From Georgia (3): Manns (Byron), Nelson (Atlanta), Wright (Douglasville)
From Alabama (2): Hambrick (Athens), Lincke (Mobile)
From Florida (1): Hampton (Ft. Lauderdale)
From Tennessee (1): Robertson (Knoxville)
 
Incoming Class Roster Breakdown:
On Offense – 10 total
                Quarterback (2): Lincke, Wright
Running Back (3): Jones, Nelson, Stanley
                Wide Receiver (4): Hambrick, Heath, Quillen, Sutton
                Offensive Line (1): Carter
On Defense – Seven total
                Defensive End (1): Guinn
                Linebackers (4): Hampton, Manns, Moore, Smith
                Defensive Back (2): Gethers, Talley
On Special Teams – One: Robertson
 
True Freshmen – 14
Redshirt Sophomores – 1
Redshirt Juniors – 3
 

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NAME	POS..	HT..	WT..	YR..	HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL)
Caleb Carter	OL	6-3	275 lbs.	Fr..	Jacksonville, N.C. (Southwest Onslow HS)
Aaron Gethers	DB	5-10	185 lbs.	R-So..	Blythewood, S.C. (Boston College / Bishop McDevitt HS)
Jaquarius Guinn	DE	6-2	295 lbs.	Fr..	Clover, S.C. (Clover HS)
Keenan Hambrick	WR	6-3	195 lbs.	Fr..	Athens, Ala. (Athens HS)
Willie Hampton	LB	6-1	210 lbs.	R-Jr..	Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Garden City CC / American Heritage HS)
Raekwon Heath	WR	6-2	185 lbs.	R-Jr..	Columbia, S.C. (Independence CC / Irmo HS)
Calvin Jones	RB	5-10	170 lbs.	Fr..	Forest City, N.C. (East Rutherford HS)
Kason Lincke	QB	6-1	200 lbs.	Fr..	Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Christian HS)
Nigel Manns	LB	6-1	220 lbs.	Fr..	Byron, Ga. (Peach County HS)
Jaylen Moore	LB	6-2	225 lbs.	Fr..	Greenville, N.C. (Hardin Valley Academy (Tenn.))
Tyree Nelson	RB	5-10	200 lbs.	Fr..	Atlanta, Ga. (Mays HS)
JaKobe Quillen	WR	6-3	190 lbs.	Fr..	Florence, S.C. (Wilson HS)
Paxton Robertson	K	6-0	200 lbs.	Fr..	Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)
Demorian Smith	LB	6-0	220 lbs.	Fr..	Robersonville, N.C. (South Creek HS)
Mikai Stanley	RB	6-2	235 lbs.	Fr..	Wilmington, N.C. (New Hanover HS)
Luke Sutton	WR	5-8	180 lbs.	Fr..	Concord, N.C. (Cox Mill HS)
Quintin Talley	DB	6-0	175 lbs.	Fr..	Spartanburg, S.C. (Byrnes HS)
Mark Wright	QB	5-11	190 lbs.	R-Jr..	Douglasville, Ga. (Hutchinson CC / Carrollton HS)

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Caleb Carter
OL, 6-3, 275 lbs., Fr.
Jacksonville, N.C. (Southwest Onslow HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: A mid-semester enrollee at WCU … Two-year varsity letter winner along both the offensive and defensive line … Played center and offensive guard … Recorded 50 tackles including six tackles for loss and forced a fumble on defense … Collected school Freshman Athlete of the Year accolades and garnered varsity offensive lineman of the year honors as a senior … Also, plays basketball as a prep.
 
Aaron Gethers
DB, 5-10, 185 lbs., R-So.
Blythewood, S.C. (Boston College / Bishop McDevitt HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Originally signed and attended Boston College … Played in four games as a redshirt freshman recording one tackle for loss in 2019 … High School: Was listed as the No. 2 cornerback prospect in Pennsylvania by 247Sports and was rated as the No. 23 prospect in Pennsylvania and the No. 82 cornerback nationally according to 247Sports … Collected first-team all-conference honors as a junior after totaling 30 tackles and three interceptions … Was an All-Mid-Penn Conference selection according to the Harrisburg Patriot-News … As a senior-led Bishop McDevitt with five pass breakups and was second on the team in total tackles, helping guide the Crusaders to a 10-3 record and state quarterfinal appearance … Was listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star cornerback by Rivals.com … High school coach was Jeff Weachter.
Personal: Is the son of Ivory and Lynda Gethers.
 
Jaquarius Guinn
DE, 6-2, 295 lbs. Fr.
Clover, S.C. (Clover HS)
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 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.
 
Keenan Hambrick
WR, 6-3, 195 lbs., Fr.
Athens, Ala. (Athens HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: … As a junior, caught 24 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … Verbally committed to Kansas as a junior … Played for Austin HS in the Hoover City Elite 7-on-7 Championship in Hoover … Also, plays basketball and participates in jumping events in track & field as a prep.
Personal: Is the son of Larinda Donnell.
 
Willie Hampton
LB, 6-1, 210 lbs., R-Jr.
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Garden City CC / American Heritage HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Originally signed and attended Nebraska where he redshirted in 2017 … Transferred to Garden City CC for two seasons where he recorded 129 tackles including 15.5 tackles for loss with 7.5 sacks … Credited with four pass breakups and forced three fumbles, each in his second season in 2019 … Finished second on the team with 99 tackles as a redshirt sophomore … Played in the Junior College National Championship game as a redshirt freshman recording three tackles for the Jayhawk Conference champions … High School: Was originally a three-star recruit out of high school … High school coach was Pat Surtain … Recorded 71 tackles and six sacks as a senior in helping lead American Heritage High to a 14-0 record and a 5A state title.
Personal: Is the son of Kim Ridley … Has a younger sister.
 
Raekwon Heath
WR, 6-2, 185 lbs., R-Jr.
Columbia, S.C. (Independence CC / Irmo HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: In nine games as a sophomore at Independence College in Independence, Kansas, caught 23 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns … Played in two games as a freshman catching three passes for 62 yards and a TD; High School: A 2018 graduate of Irmo High where he played football and basketball as a prep … Was a South Carolina state runner-up in 2018 … Averaged 12.4 points per game as a senior … Was named South Carolina 5-A All-State in basketball.
Personal: Is the son of LaToya and Derrick Killingworth.
 
Calvin Jones
RB, 5-10, 170 lbs., Fr.
Forest City, N.C. (East Rutherford HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Four-year varsity letter winner who rushed for 2,437 career yards and 30 touchdowns while also hauling in 71 passes for 1,428 career receiving yards … Finished his prep career with 5,320 all-purpose yards … Listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … Amassed 542 all-purpose yards – 346 rushing, 111 receiving, 60 punt return and 25-yard passing – and scored eight touchdowns – rushing, receiving, passing, and on a punt return – in his final high school game … Earned both News 13 WLOS Player of the Week and Player of the Week honors from The Daily Courier … As a junior in 2018, rushed for 683 yards and 10 TDs while catching 16 passes for 308 yards and two TDs as a part of 1,259 all-purpose yards … Defensively, had 77 tackles including 11 for loss and eight interceptions, scoring a pair of defensive touchdowns … High school coach was Clint Bland … Also ran track and wrestled as a prep.
Personal: Full name is Calvin Malin Jones, prefers to go by Cal … Is the son of Aqueesha Mapp.
 
Kason Lincke
QB, 6-1, 200 lbs., Fr.
Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Christian HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Dual-threat quarterback, three-year varsity letter winner … Played three years at Pace High in Florida before transferring to Mobile Christian as a senior … Threw for over 5,969 yards with 57 passing touchdowns adding 2,348 rushing yards and 21 TDs on the ground … Threw for over 1,100 yards in each season as a prep … As a senior, accounted for over 3,120 yards including 2,112 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and 1,008 yards on the ground for the Alabama state runner-up … High school coach at Mobile Christian was Ronnie Cottrell.
Personal: Full name is Kason Shane Lincke … Is the son of Beverly and Shane Lincke … Has a sister, Kailey.
 
Nigel Manns
LB, 6-1, 220 lbs., Fr.
Byron, Ga. (Peach County HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Two-way player as a prep as a linebacker and a running back … Listed among the top 130 high school prospects in Georgia by SouthernPigskin.com … Was a Region 4-AAA honorable mention all-region selection in 2018 … High school coach was Chad Campbell … Also, ran track as a prep.
Personal: Full name is Nigel Isaiah Manns … Is the son of Chandra and Emmerson Manns … His brother, Ethan, plays football at Shorter College.
 
Jaylen Moore
LB, 6-2, 225 lbs., Fr.
Greenville, N.C. (Hardin Valley Academy (Tenn.))
Prior to Western Carolina: Collected first-team All-Region 1-6A honors as both a junior and senior … Posted 105 tackles as a junior in 2018 with 35 solo stops and 12 tackles for loss including eight sacks … Tallied double-digit tackles in six games in 2018 … Forced a fumble while recovering three … Had 84 tackles including 32 solo stops with eight TFLs as a sophomore … Listed as a two-star recruit by both 247Sports.com and Rivals.com … High school was Mike Potter.
Personal: Full name is Jaylen DeShawn Moore … Is the son of Selena Higgs and Quinten Moore.
 
Tyree Nelson
RB, 5-10, 200 lbs., Fr.
Atlanta, Ga. (Mays HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Three-time all-region selection … Tabbed top running back three times and received the M=r. Benjamin E. Mays award as a senior … Rushed for 813 yards on 121 carries with 11 touchdowns before a leg injury in his final season as a prep … Was an honorable mention 6-A Georgia All-State from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution … Rushed for over 1,000 yards as a sophomore, collecting second-team All-Region 5-6A … Earned MVP honors at running back at the Elite GA Showcase … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … High school coach was Niketa Battle … Also ran track as a prep where he was selected MVP.
Personal: Is the son of Shavon Howell … Has a sister, Makiya Chandler.
 
JaKobe Quillen
WR, 6-3, 190 lbs., Fr.
Florence, S.C. (Wilson HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: A big-bodied receiver who was a four-year starter … Listed as one of the top 25 recruits in the state of South Carolina by the Charlotte Observer … Caught 104 career passes for 1,662 career yards and 21 touchdowns including 937 receiving yards and 14 TDs on 62 catches as a senior … Tossed a 64-yard touchdown pass to give him 1,726 career yards … Collected Primetime Performer of the Week after catching 13 passes for 174 yards and two scores in a win over West Florence HS … Selected to the South team in the South Carolina 2019 North-South game … High school coach was Derek Howard.
Personal: Is the son of Lisa White and Jacob Quillen.
 
Paxton Robertson
K, 6-0, 200 lbs., Fr.
Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Four-year varsity letter winner as a kicker and a punter … Was a two-time All-State selection … Averaged over 39.5 yards per punt and pinned opposing teams inside the 20-yard line four times as a senior … Connected on 45-of-47 PATs and 5-of-9 field goals in 2019 … Named first-team defense on the 2019 All-PrepXtra football team … As a sophomore, set a Tennessee state record for most consecutive extra points in a season (59) … Attended Chris Sailer Kicking where he received a four-and-a-half-star ranking.
 
Demorian Smith
LB, 6-0, 220 lbs., Fr.
Robersonville, N.C. (South Creek HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Four-year varsity letter winner … Totaled 244 career tackles including 17.0 tackles for loss with three sacks as a prep … Finished his senior season with a career-best 116 total tackles over 12 games, averaging 9.7 stops per game … Credited with 21 tackles in a first-round playoff game in 2019 … Two-way player that amassed 2,117 career all-purpose yards including 1,710 rushing, 209 receiving, 70 on special teams, and 128 return yards on seven career interceptions … Scored 28 career touchdowns – 26 rushing and one apiece on a fumble return and a punt return … Also ran track and threw the shot put, and also played basketball as a prep.
Personal: Is the son of Wanda and Maurice Smith … His brother, Darrius, plays football at WCU.
 
Mikai Stanley
RB, 6-2, 235 lbs., Fr.
Wilmington, N.C. (New Hanover HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: … Rushed for 1,340 yards and 18 touchdowns on just 139 carries (9.6 yds/carry) posting a total of 19 TDs as a senior … Collected first-team StarNews All-Area and was named the StarNews All-Area Offensive Player of the Year … Also dubbed first-team All-Mideastern Conference and the conference's offensive player of the year … Earned WECT Athlete of the Week plaudits after rushing for 100 yards and a score in a win over Eastern Wayne High … Was the only back to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark against West Brunswick High all season in 2019 … As a junior was a first-team all-conference and first-team all-area selection … High school was Dillan Dimock … Also played high school basketball earning second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore and first-team plaudits as a junior.
Personal: Is the son of LaTonia and Andrew Stanley … Has a younger sibling, Brianna … His mother, LaTonia, played basketball at UNC Wilmington (1996-2000).
 
Luke Sutton
WR, 5-8, 180 lbs., Fr.
Concord, N.C. (Cox Mill HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played slot back and wide receiver as a prep where he helped Cox Mill win the South Piedmont 3A Conference title and the Coddle Creek Cup … Dubbed a "possession receiver" because of his sure hands and precise routes … Named All-South Piedmont Conference as a senior.
Personal: Is the son of Diana and David Sutton … Has a sister, Brooke.
 
Quintin Talley
DB, 6-0, 175 lbs., Fr.
Spartanburg, S.C. (Byrnes HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Two-year varsity letter winner … Posted 86 career tackles over the past two seasons with 2.5 tackles for loss including a sack … Tallied three interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries … Listed as a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and 247Sports … Also played baseball as an outfielder as a prep.
 
Mark Wright
QB, 5-11, 190 lbs., R-Jr.
Douglasville, Ga. (Hutchinson CC / Carrollton HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Dual-threat quarterback began his collegiate career at Ellsworth CC before transferring to Hutchinson CC for his sophomore season … Last year, accounted for 2,461 total yards including 1,831 yards passing and 630 rushing yards with 27 combined touchdowns including 20 TD passes and seven rushing scores … Named first-team All-KJCCC … At Ellsworth CC, completed 26-of-52 passes for 184 yards while rushing for 53 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman … Is rated the #5 JUCO dual-threat quarterback in the nation by JCGridiron.com … High School: Was a three-year starter as a prep, amassing 3,899 career passing yards with 42 touchdown passes while rushing for 958 yards and 15 TDs … Threw for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 300 as a prep senior despite missing five games during his senior year due to injury … As a junior in 2016, passed for 2,005 yards with 23 TDs on 60-percent passing, adding 600 rushing yards and 11 scores.
Personal: Is the son of Veronica and Mark Wright … Has a brother, Malkolm Wright.