The Catamount Club is again sponsoring a special National Signing Day reception on
Saturday, Feb. 15, for select Club members in Room 204 at WCU's Health and Human Sciences Building (
HHS – 3971 Little Savannah Rd.) that is expected to include a Facebook LIVE video stream.
Catamount Club Members - CLICK HERE TO RSVP
Season tickets for WCU's six-game 2025 home schedule at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field remain on sale through the Catamount Athletics ticket office, located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, by phone at (828) 227-2401, or online at CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets.
For returning season ticket holders, the 2025 renewal deadline is Wednesday, April 30. Catamount Club members who had a season parking pass last season may also be renewed at this time. The cost is $60. For those looking to get a pass in the Catamount Club season parking lots for the first time or those looking to change their parking location, please contact
CJ Mitchell in the Catamount Club at (828) 227-3047 or by email at
mitchellc@wcu.edu.
Catamount Club members are also reminded to renew their annual membership to take advantage of pregame hospitality perks by Monday, June 30, 2025.
Keep track of everything related to Catamount football and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (FB.com/CatamountSports, FB.com/WesternCarolinaFootball), Twitter (@catamounts, @CatamountsFB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts, catamountsfb).
2025 Catamount Football Newcomers – Mid-Year Enrollees (
listed alphabetical):
Jahleel Anderson
6-4 – 305 lbs. – Senior – Defensive Line
Statesboro, Ga. (Alcorn State / Highland CC / Statesboro HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played in eight games at Alcorn State in 2024, credited with nine tackles including four solo stops and one tackle for loss;
At Highland CC in Highland, Kansas: Played in 14 games over two seasons in 2022 and 2023 ... Credited with 31 tackles including 15 solo stops with 5.5 tackles for loss including one sack ... Forced a pair of fumbles, one in both seasons played at Highland ... Recorded a single-game career-high of four tackles three times -- twice in 2022 agaisnt Garden City CC and Hutchinson CC, matching in 2023 at Iowa Central CC.
Personal: Is the son of Nan Mercer.
Anthony Benjamin
5-10 – 160 lbs. – R-Sophomore – Wide Receiver
Fort Myers, Fla. (Jacksonville State / Dunbar HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Was originally offered by WCU out of high school … Spent two seasons at Jacksonville State in Alabama, redshirting in 2023 ... Made his collegiate debut against Louisiana Tech on Nov. 18, 2023;
High School: Prepped for head coach Sam Brown at Dunbar High … Was Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports out of high school … Was a multi-sport athlete that also competes in track and field and played varsity basketball … Hauled in 34 passes for 461 yards and three touchdowns as a senior … Served as the team's main kick returner in 2022, totaling 305 yards … Averaged 19.9 yards per reception totaling 758 yards and seven scores on 38 catches as a junior … Helped Dunbar High win district titles in his junior and senior seasons … Ended his varsity career with 106 receptions for 1,766 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Maddix Bogunia-Bright
6-2 – 200 lbs. – Sophomore – Wide Receiver
Mishawaka, Ind. (Sussex County CC / Purdue / Marian HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Began his college career at Purdue where he did not see game action in 2023 as a true freshman … Transferred to Sussex County CC in Newton, N.J. … Played in eight games in 2024 … Caught 15 passes for 199 yards with a pair of touchdowns … Recorded a single-game career-high four passes for 64 receiving yards at Louisburg College.
Personal: Is the son of Courtney Bogunia.
Davontis Clements
5-10 – 165 lbs. – Sophomore – Wide Receiver
Gainesville, Fla. (Bethune-Cookman / Alcorn State / Highlands CC / Gainesville HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Committed to Bethune-Cookman as a defensive back in 2021 but did not see game action … Transferred to Alcorn State … Transferred to Highland CC in Highland, Kansas, where he played in three games in 2024, making three receptions for 29 yards … Also returned one kickoff.
Elijah Collins
6-5 – 305 lbs. – Sophomore – Offensive Line
Lehigh Acres, Fla. (West Virginia Wesleyan / East Lee County HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played in seven games as a true freshman at WVWC, making his collegiate debut on Sept. 14, 2024, against Wheeling;
High School: Was a team captain as a senior in 2024 … Also participated in track & field in the shot put and discus events.
Cam'Ron Dabney
5-11 – 185 lbs. – Fifth Year – Cornerback
Atlanta, Ga. (Northern Illinois / Kansas / Cherokee Bluff HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Spent two years at Northern Illinois after opening his collegiate career at the University of Kansas;
At Northern Illinois: Between the 2023 and 2024 seasons, played in 17 games with 11 solo tackles with a pass break-up, playing in every game at cornerback and on special teams in 2023;
At Kansas: Played in 23 games over the 2022 and 2021 seasons for the Jayhawks, credited with 12 tackles ... Started his first career game against Oklahoma State, making a season-high four tackles as a freshman in 2021.
High School: Was a 247 Sports composite three-star recruit…Began his high school career at Riverside Military Academy, before transferring to Cherokee Bluff HS…Played for coach Tommy Jones at Cherokee Bluff as a senior, leading team to 11-2 record…Offensively, had 19 carries for 159 yards, while catching 21 passes for 346 yards…Accounted for nine total touchdowns…Totaled 26 tackles, one interception and a fumble recovery on defense…Added one punt return for a touchdown…Played quarterback for Riverside Military, throwing for 821 yards and 12 touchdowns to just one interception in 2019 as a junior…Also rushed for 841 yards and 11 touchdowns…Had 34 tackles, nine passed defended and one interception as a junior defensive back.
Personal: Name is Cam'Ron "Shaad" Dabney ... Is the son of Shannon and Carlton Dabney ... Has four siblings, Princess, Dricka, CJ and Jamel.
Konrad Henderson
6-3 – 300 – Redshirt Freshman – Offensive Line
Alpharetta, Ga. (Guilford College / Chattahoochee HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played in three games along the offensive line at Guilford in 2023;
High School: Was a Region 6 AAAAA honorable mention at Chattahoochee High.
Cain Jefferson
6-3 – 210 lbs. – Freshman – Edge Rush
Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Recorded 70 tackles with an average of 6.4 tackles per game as a senior at Columbia HS, ranked third on the team … Was tied for the team lead with 11 sacks as part of 17 tackles for loss … Named the Columbia High Defensive Player of the Year … Earned first-team All-County honors as a senior.
Jeremy Johnson
5-11 – 290 lbs. – Redshirt Freshman – Defensive Line
Lilburn, Ga. (Concord University / Parkview HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played in three games as a true freshman at Concord University, credited with one tackle against Charleston (W.Va.) ... Made his collegiate debut on Sept. 14, 2024, against UVA Wise;
High School: According to MaxPreps, was credited with 63 total tackles as a junior and senior with 36 solo stops and 16.5 tackles for loss with five sacks and a forced fumble.
Ilija Krajnovic
6-7 – 325 lbs. – Redshirt Senior – Offensive Line
Zrenjanin, Serbia (Boston College / IMG Academy)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played in 10 games over the past four seasons at Boston College including nine games, primarily on special teams in 2022 as a sophomore
High School: Was a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports and ESPN as a prep … Originally from Serbia but played high school football at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. … Listed as the No. 112 offensive tackle in the nation and Florida's No. 186 recruit according to 247 Sports … Rated No. 110 at his position and No. 180 in the Sunshine State by ESPN … A versatile athlete who participated in volleyball, basketball, soccer, water polo and mixed martial arts in Serbia … He was a middle blocker on Serbia's U19 volleyball team.
Personal: Is the son of Sanja and Rade Krajnovic … Received the Robert R. Santangelo Family Athletics Scholarship Fund.
Jordan Martin-Durham
6-3 – 215 lbs. – Freshman – Quarterback
Jacksonville, Fla. (Zarephath Academy)
Prior to Western Carolina: Listed as a pro-style quarterback … Credited with playing five years of varsity football including six games as an eighth-grader in 2020-21 … Played in 48 career games as a prep, amassing 14,485 total yards according to MaxPreps … Complete 67% of his passes – 667-for-993 – for 13,329 career yards and 120 touchdowns … Threw for 6,047 yards as a senior with 62 TD passes … Added 102 rushes for 1,067 career yards and 12 TDs on the ground … Caught seven passes for 89 yards in his prep career.
Vito Moriana-Sigel
6-5 – 300 lbs. – Junior – Offensive Line
Estepona, Spain (Trinity Valley CC / Mississippi Valley State /Kiski School)
Prior to Western Carolina: Mid-year transfer from Mississippi Valley State after starting his career at Trinity Valley CC … Started 12 games at Mississippi Valley State in the SWAC, helping MVSU rank fourth in the nation for the fewest sacks allowed;
At Trinity Valley CC: Graduated from TVCC with honors earning his AA;
High School: Was a two-way lineman at the Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pa.
Renard Smith
6-4 – 320 lbs. – Redshirt Sophomore – Offensive Line
Dallas, Ga. (University of Pikeville / East Paulding HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played in 10 games at UPike during the 2024 season along the offensive line and on special teams … Named to the second-team All-Appalachian Athletics Conference in 2024;
High School: Played football and basketball, as well as field events in track & field as a prep.
La'Charles Taylor
6-4 – 320 lbs. – R-Junior – Offensive Line
Sanford, Fla. (North Alabama / Allen University / Seminole HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Versatile offensive lineman with experience at multiple positions … Transferred to UNA in 2023 season but did not see game action … Played in four games for the Lions in 2024 ... Began his collegiate career with two seasons at NCAA Division II Allen University in Columbia, S.C. ... Played in three games at AU in 2022.
Josiah Thomas
6-2 – 200 lbs. – Freshman – Tight End
Austin, Texas (Lake Travis HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Was named first-team 6-A All-State and All-District as a senior at Lake Travis High … Caught 70 passes for 924 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior … Listed as one of the top tight end prospects in Texas by LoneStarPreps.com … Was also named Academic All-District as a senior … In six games as a junior, caught nine passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns.
Jordan Thompson
5-11 – 215 lbs. – Redshirt Sophomore – Linebacker
Charlotte, N.C. (Middle Tennessee / Julius Chambers HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played in 13 games over two seasons at Middle Tennessee, three games in 2023 with 17 total snaps on special teams to remain eligible for a redshirt and 10 games in 2024 with eight starts ... Credited with 37 career tackles including 11 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, with one sack ... Tallied two PBUs ... Made his first collegiate start agasint Tennessee Tech ... Recorded a single-game best eight tackles at Louisiana Tech;
High School: Lettered in football and basketball ... Recorded 110 tackles with nine TFLs as a prep senior for head coach Brandon Wiggins.
Personal: Full name is Jordan Tyreece Thompson ... Is the son of Maima Carr and Shamus Thompson.
Chad Turner
5-8 – 185 lbs. – Fifth Year – Wide Receiver
Dallas, Texas (Lamar University / Colleyville Heritage HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Originally attended Jacksonville State out of Colleyville Heritage HS, where he played wide receiver, running back, and was a return specialist ... Did not see game action at JSU;
At Winston-Salem State: Played in 19 games over two seasons in 2022 and 2023 ... Recorded 15 catches for 258 yards and a touchdown, adding three carries for the Rams in 2023;
At Lamar: Did not see game action in 2024.
Personal: Is the son of Joy Claxton and CJ Turner.
