Cullowhee, N.C. – Finding the right balance in the Catamount defensive secondary means many things to the Western Carolina coaching staff. It references the juggling of the youth and experienced players. It also relates to the players' size and style that the game play will dictate.
 
It also simply means finding the actual right positions in a morphing, hybrid defense that includes cornerbacks, safeties, and the hybrid position in the secondary, designated as "spurs" in WCU's defensive scheme under first-year defensive coordinator Nick Reveiz.
 
Reveiz, who mentors a trio of spurs while overseeing the entire defense, and the two Maliks – returning assistant coach Malik Goodman and newcomer Malik Chevry – share the responsibilities among WCU's secondary unit.
 
Chevry, who mentored under veteran head coach Bobby Lamb at Anderson University, is in his first season coaching a combined 10 cornerbacks.
 
"I have a young corner room with Marseille (Taylor) being the only upperclassman," said Chevry, referencing the need for balance. Canden McGill is listed as a junior but has not seen live game action during the season after two years on the Catamount roster. The unit also includes five sophomores and a trio of true freshmen in Quency Grant III (Columbia, S.C.), Terrell Poyser (Wildwood, Fla.), and Devon Wilson Jr. (Mauldin, S.C.).
 
 "The thing I love the most about the room, though, is the versatility. We have short, quick guys; we have tall guys that can press. And we have guys in the middle that can do some of both," Chevry added.
 
After starting at Riverside City College before transferring to Stephen F. Austin and South Florida, Taylor played in 11 of the WCU's 12 games last season, each coming as a reserve on defense and on special teams. He was credited with 12 tackles, 2.5 going for loss. Second-year DB Jayden Cornelius likewise saw action in 11 games in 2025, credited with three tackles as a reserve, while Devin Brown moved from his nickel position a season ago, where he played in four games with two solo stops as a true freshman.
 
Headlining WCU's newcomers is Hampton transfer Andre Jackson Jr., who collected Phil Steele Freshman All-America plaudits last season. Jackson finished with 49 tackles, including 30 solo stops with five pass breakups last season.
 
Chevry finished, "We plan to play a good amount of DBs, and I've been pleased with the growth of my group from spring to now."
 
Leading WCU's hybrid "spur" position is fifth-year senior and preseason All-American, Ken Moore Jr., who also garnered first-team All-SoCon plaudits at the league's media day. He's WCU's most experienced defender, playing in 35 games with 96 total tackles, including 62 solo stops. He also ranks tied for sixth in program history, credited with 24 pass break ups to accompany eight career interceptions to rank just outside the career Top 10.
 
Moore, a product of Miami, Fla., is flanked by returner Nassor Ashenafi and true freshman Jermiyah Douglas, out of St. Thomas Aquinas in Miami.
 
"I am really excited to coach the spurs this year," said Reveiz. "(Ken) has had an outstanding career at Western Carolina, and we're expecting him to have a great senior season. He can play man and zone coverage, but he also has an outstanding ability to blitz."
 
Reveiz continued, "Nas (Ashenafi) is also going to provide us with playmaking abilities in man coverage, while also being physical in the run game – it's a rare blend that we are excited about. And true freshman Jermiyah Douglas is someone that we are really excited about. He has shown early in summer and fall camp that he is hungry and will contribute early and often."
 
Eight safeties tutor under second-year assistant coach Malik Goodman, who played and coached at Tusculum. Three return to the Catamount lineup from a season ago, as Na'koma Simpson-Nealy (13 GP), Julian Quintero (12 GP), and AJ Mintze are back in 2026 with a combined 25 games played between the three.
 
"Nakoma has had a great fall camp," said Goodman. "We're very excited about his play-making abilities. And Julian (Quintero) has also had a solid camp and will have a role in the defense being utilized in different packages."
 
He added that Mintze should see an elevated role in the defense this season.
 
Two transfers could have an immediate impact in the secondary as Ja'Torian Mack, who played in four games at Sun Belt-member App State last fall, and Reinhardt transfer Braylon Jones, who saw action in 24 games over three years at Reinhardt with 109 total tackles and four interceptions.
 
"I love the energy and the mindset 'Duke' comes with every day. He is getting better and better," said Goodman on Mack. "Braylon (Jones) has changed his body during the offseason and has improved tremendously from the spring and should factor in the starting role at free safety."
 
Three true freshmen will cut their teeth in the secondary this year, including Jayden Joselin (North Lauderdale, Fla.), Alant'e Reese (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.), and Caleb Young Jr. (Gainesville, Fla.).
 
"Jayden is a hard worker, one of our smartest defensive backs, and I'm very excited about his potential. Alant'e continues to flash on tape. We're super excited about his potential – don't be surprised to see him making plays this year. And I love the focus that Caleb (Young) came in with. He will continue to develop at free safety," said Goodman.
 
Previous 2026 Position Previews:
Offensive Line
 
Western Carolina opens the 2026 season at home on Saturday, Aug. 29, hosting Eastern Kentucky under the lights at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field with a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Catamounts look to "Blackout Whitmire," wearing their new "Night Cat" black Nike uniforms, with all fans encouraged to wear their black WCU gear to the game.
 
In addition to the first 3,500 fans receiving FREE black WCU T-shirts, Catamount Athletics marketing will pass out 4,000 Blackout thunder sticks, courtesy of The Everson. Before the game, one of the best FCS football traditions returns as we celebrate the 15th Annual Freshmen Run, as WCU's Class of 2030 – one of the largest in school history – will run through the pregame tunnel to lead out the Catamount football team.
 
Also highlighting the jam-packed home opener, Catamount Athletics and Vannoy Construction present a special drone light show, produced by SkyElements, that will light up the western North Carolina sky as part of the festivities.
 
The home-opener is presented by Ingles and media partners Kiss Country and Star 104.3.

Both season and single-game tickets and gameday parking for all six home dates in #CatamountCountry are 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.
 

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CORNER BACKS (10):
4 – Andre Jackson Jr. (5-10, 180 lbs., So.) – 12 GP, 49 tackles, 5 PBUs at Hampton
6 – Jayden Cornelius (5-10, 175 lbs., So.) – 11 GP, 3 tackles
7 – Marseille Taylor (6-2, 190 lbs., 5th) – 28 career GP, 11 at WCU; 48 career tackles
22 – Quency Grant III (5-10, 170 lbs., Fr.)
24 – Terrell Poyser (6-3, 170 lbs., Fr.)
26 – Devin Brown (5-10, 160 lbs., So.) – 4 GP, 2 tackles
28 – Chris Hobbs (6-2, 180 lbs., So.)
29 – Christian Robbins (6-1, 190 lbs., So.)
36 – Canden McGill (5-10, 185 lbs., Jr.)
37 – Devon Wilson Jr. (5-11, 190 lbs., Fr.)
 
SPURS (3):
1 – Ken Moore Jr. (5-10, 165 lbs., 5th) – 35 GP, 96 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 8 INT, 24 PBU
21 – Nassor Ashenafi (5-9, 170 lbs., So.) – 4 GP, 3 tackles
27 – Jermiyah Douglas (5-10, 175 lbs., Fr.)
 
SAFETIES (8):
2 – Na'Koma Simpson-Nealy (5-10, 175 lbs., Jr.) – 13 GP, 14 tackles, 1 INT
5 – Braylon Jones (6-1, 205 lbs., Sr.) – 24 GP, 109 tackles, 4 INTs at Reinhardt
12 – Julian Quintero (6-0, 200 lbs., Jr.) – 12 GP, 4 tackles, 1 FF
17 – Ja'Torian "Duke" Mack (5-11, 185 lbs., So.) – 4 GP at App State
25 – Caleb Young Jr. (6-0, 210 lbs., Fr.)
31 – Alant'e Reese (6-2, 205 lbs., Fr.)
32 – AJ Mintze (6-0, 185 lbs., So.)
38 – Jayden Joselin (6-0, 185 lbs., Fr.)