Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina senior defensive back
Ken Moore Jr. was today included on the preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually by Stats Perform FCS to the nation's top defensive player. His inclusion on the preseason watch list comes a day after he was
listed on the second-team Preseason All-America team by the same publication.
Moore Jr. is the third Catamount to land on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, joining defensive back Marvin Tillman (2018) and linebacker Antoine Williams (2023). He is one of 30 defensive players recognized on this year's preseason watch list, which features five previous finalists, including Furman defensive lineman Joshua Stoneking, who finished second in the national vote last year as the only other Southern Conference player.
A first-team All-Southern Conference selection in 2025, Moore Jr. was sixth on the Catamount defense with 43 total tackles last season, making 28 solo stops and 5.5 tackles for loss with a sack. His three interceptions ranked him tied for third in the SoCon. He recorded two interceptions against Furman, returning one 64 yards for a touchdown in earning SoCon Defensive Player of the Week plaudits in mid-October. Moore added seven pass breakups, tied for sixth in the league.
Originally from Miami, Fla., Moore Jr. has 96 career tackles over the past three seasons for the Catamounts, playing both corner and nickel. He has eight career interceptions, including four as a sophomore in 2024, with two interception returns for touchdowns. He enters his senior season tied for sixth in program history with 24 career pass breakups.
The Buck Buchanan Award was first presented in 1995. More players can join the watch list before a national media panel selects the winner after the regular season from a group of finalists.
Stats Perform also presents the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year), HBCU National Player of the Year, and the Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Preseason excitement for the 2026 season continues to rev up in a week as the Southern Conference convenes at the Hotel Hartness in Greenville, S.C., on Tuesday, July 21, for the 2026 SoCon Football Media Day. The preseason All-SoCon teams and predicted order of finish, as voted on by the league's head coaches, will be unveiled as the coaches and two players from each league team meet with members of the media to mark the unofficial start of the 2026 campaign. Entering his sixth season in Cullowhee, head coach
Kerwin Bell is slated to be joined by all-conference candidates in wide receiver
AJ Colombo and defensive back
Ken Moore Jr. next week for the annual preseason event.
Riding the momentum of three consecutive seven-win seasons – and four straight winning records at season's end – season tickets for the 2026 home schedule remain on sale now through the Catamount Athletics ticket office on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, by phone at (828) 227-2401, and online at CatamountSports.com.
Single-game tickets and parking for the 2026 home opener against Eastern Kentucky, under the new lights
on Saturday, Aug. 29, are on sale now! The opener has been billed as a "Blackout Whitmire" game.
Check out the Blackout Shop online now to get your black Nike WCU gear. The remaining five home dates will be available for purchase beginning July 28.
Keep track of everything related to Catamount football and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/CatamountSports), Twitter (@Catamounts, @CatamountsFB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts).
ABOUT STATS PERFORM: Stats Perform, the sports tech leader in data and AI, offers unparalleled coverage of the FCS through its data-driven storytelling platform Opta Analyst. By delivering the Top 25 national media poll, comprehensive analysis, statistics, and insights, Stats Perform enhances the experience for FCS football fans and stakeholders alike.
This year, Stat Perform will cap the 16th anniversary season of the Jerry Rice Award, which is presented to the FCS National Freshman Player of the Year, and also include the presentations of the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year), HBCU National Player of the Year and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year at its awards presentation in Nashville, Tenn.
Important Dates in Catamount Athletics & Catamount Football:
Tuesday, July 14 – Single-game tickets and parking for the home opener on sale
Tuesday, July 21 – 2026 Southern Conference Football Media Day (Greenville, S.C.)
Tuesday, July 28 – Single-game tickets and parking for remaining five home dates on sale
Wednesday, July 29 – Catamount Football student-athletes report for fall camp
Thursday, July 30 – First football 2026 preseason practice (8:30 a.m., helmet only)
Wednesday, Aug. 5 –
Women's Soccer Exhibition – vs. Georgia State (CAC, 7 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 8 –
Women's Soccer Exhibition – vs. Wright State (CAC, 2 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 13 –
Women's Soccer Season-Opener – vs. Winthrop (CAC, 6 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 14 – WCU Freshman Convocation (Ramsey Center)
Monday, Aug. 17 – First day of classes for the 2026 fall semester – Cullowhee
Friday, Aug. 21 – Volleyball Exhibition – vs. Anderson (Ramsey Center, 6 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 21 – Catamount Shootout Golf Tournament (Marion Lake Club, Nebo, N.C.)
Saturday, Aug. 29 – Catamount Football season-opener vs. Eastern Kentucky (7 p.m.)
Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Volleyball Home Opener – vs. Gardner-Webb (Ramsey Center, 6 p.m.)
Sept. 13-15 – Men's Golf – JT Poston Invitational – (Waynesville Inn & Golf Club)
Friday, Oct. 2 – Bob Waters Memorial Golf Tournament – (Sequoyah National, Cherokee)
