Western Carolina University

PRONUNCIATION: BEE-dee wah-DELL the Fifth

2025 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in three games as a defensive reserve and on special teams ... Made his collegiate debut at Wofford (Oct. 4), with appearances against Furman (Oct. 11) and at The Citadel (Oct. 18) … Credited with one tackle with a solo stop in the home win over Furman (Oct. 11).

2024 (Freshman): Did not see game action, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Credited with six tackles, including one for loss in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: South Carolina Lowcountry native, was a two-time all-conference and all-state performer at West Mecklenburg High in Charlotte … Finished the 2023 season second in the Queen City 3A/4A Conference with 872 rushing yards and was second defensively with 109 tackles … Three-sport athlete as a prep including football, wrestling, and track … Expected to enroll early in the spring 2024.

Personal: Is the son of Topee and Beady Waddell IV ... His father, a 2023 R.B. Stall Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, coached him in high school ... His uncle Bennitte "Big Moe" Waddell played for the Minnesota Vikings.