2015 Signing Day Central

Last Updated: Wednesday, Feb. 4 - 2:30 pm - FINAL LIST

2015 Catamount Football Incoming Class:

2015 Incoming Class Player Bios:

Hassan Belton
LB - 6-1 - 215 lbs.
Columbia, S.C. (Blythewood HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: In three seasons, amassed 279 tackles including 210 solo stops ... Was a two-time all-state and all-region selection ... Only played in seven games as a senior, but recorded 115 tackles including 15 for loss and seven sacks ... Forced four fumbles and had an interception as a senior ... Posted 156 tackles including 13 TFLs with 11 sacks as a junior ... Set a school record with 24 tackles in a single game ... Was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the 2014 Shrine Bowl for the South Carolina squad, recording 14 tackle including two TFLs and recovering a fumble ... Was his team's MVP on the junior varsity squad as a freshman ... Attended and excelled in numerous camps in 2014 including the Adidas Georgia Showcase, Nike SPARQ, VTO Elite 100 and Rivals Charlotte Invitational, finishing as the top performer at each camp ... Listed as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and a two-star recruit from 247Sports.com ... High school coach was Dan Morgan.
Personal: Is the son of Patrick and Monica Belton ... Father played collegiate football as a running back at South Carolina State ... He is the youngest of three brothers: P. Andre and Matrick, who plays football at South Carolina ... Was born in Jacksonville, Fla.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Appalachian State, The Citadel, Coastal Carolina, Elon, Furman, Gardner-Webb, Georgia State, James Madison, Mercer, Presbyterian and Towson.

Myreon Bennett
DE - 6-5 - 220 lbs.
Augusta, Ga. (Evans HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Recorded 49 tackles with four sacks as a senior earning all-county honors ... Played for Team Georgia in the Border Battle II against South Carolina ... High school coach was Marty Jackson ... Also played basketball as a prep.
Personal: Full name is Myreon E. Bennett ... First name is pronounced my-REE-on ... Is the son of Cheryln Curry ... Has an older brother, Gregory.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Faulkner College, Georgia Military College and Georgia State.

Mitchell Chancey
LB - 6-1 - 205 lbs.
Asheville, N.C. (Erwin HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played both running back and linebacker in high school ... Was the 2014 Mountain Athletic Conference (MAC) Defensive Player of the Year and an Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina selection ... Recorded 159 tackles including 11 tackles for loss in his final season ... Set a school single-game record for tackles with 26 in a 27-24 win at Reynolds on Sept. 25, 2014 ... Also participated in the shot put in track & field as a prep ... High school coach was Mike Sexton.
Personal: Full name is Mitchell Aaron Chancey ... Is the son of Debbie Chancey ... Has an older brother, Matthew.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Lenoir-Rhyne, Mars Hill and Wingate.

Jay Gibbs
LB - 6-4 - 230 lbs.
Charlotte, N.C. (Butler HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Finished his high school career with 178 career tackles with 102 solo stops over his final two seasons ... Credited with nine career sacks and one interception coming as a senior ... Was denoted as his team's most improved player as a junior ... High school coach was Brian Hales ... Also played basketball as a prep, averaging 10 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior ... Also played the drums in jazz band.
Personal: Full name is JaQueis Marquis Gibbs, but goes by Jay ... Is the son of Keionda Sanders ... Has five siblings including three brothers Devin, Bookie, and Savion, and sisters Aija and Analya.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Massachusetts and South Carolina State.

Logan Howard
K - 6-0 - 195 lbs.
Kernersville, N.C. (East Forsyth HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played one season at East Forsyth as a senior after transferring from Bishop McGuinness High ... Connected on 75 of his 76 point after touchdown attempts and was 7-for-9 on field goals with a long of 48 yards ... His 96 points on the season were sixth in North Carolina among placekickers ... A combined 51 of his 98 seasonal kickoff attempts went for touchbacks ... Earned All-Piedmont Triad 4-A Conference accolades as a senior as the top kicker as a part of EFHS's 10-1, conference championship squad ... Collected All-Greensboro/Triad and all-region honors ... Was East Forsyth High's special teams MVP ... In two seasons at Bishop McGuinness, was 49-for-53 on PATs and 7-for-10 on field goals, scoring 70 total kicking points ... Had a 4.5 star kicker rating through Chris Sailer, and received class of 2015 honorable mention status ... Also was a running back and safety at BMHS ... High school coach was Todd Willert.
Personal: Full name is Logan Lee Howard ... Is the son of Lee and Tracy Howard ... Has a younger brother, Trevor ... Holds a black belt in martial arts and is a three-time world champion kickboxer.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over East Carolina, James Madison, and Penn State.

Walker Lanning
OL - 6-3 - 275 lbs.
Hendersonville, N.C. (Christ School)
Note: Enrolled at Western Carolina in the spring, 2015 semester.
Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-time all-area and all-conference lineman, playing both on both sides of the football ... Was also a two-time NCISAA Division II All-State selection ... Recorded a team-high 89 tackles as a senior ... Started his prep career at East Henderson before playing his final two years at Christ School ... Finished the 2012 season as East Henderson's leading tackler with 58 stops including eight for loss, earning All-Western North Carolina Athletic Conference accolades for the conference championship team ... Listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com ... High school coach was Mark Moroz.
Personal: Full name is Randall Walker Lanning ... Is the son of Randy Lanning and Tonya Hensley ... Has one sibling, Weston.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Albany, Appalachian State, Campbell, Gardner-Webb, Liberty, and Youngstown State.

Tra'von Ricketts
DE - 6-4 - 225 lbs.
Pilot Mountain, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played two seasons at East Surry High before transferring to Mallard Creek High for his senior season ... Was a part of the Mallard Creek squad that finished 15-1, winning both the MECKA 8 and North Carolina State championships ... Was one of the top defensive linemen at the VTO Elite 100 event ... In two seasons at East Surry HS, tallied 22 tackles including 16 solo stops with five tackles for loss with a sack ... High school coach was Mike Palmieri, North Carolina's AP Prep Coach of the Year ... Also ran track as a prep, competing in the relays, as well as the 100 and 200-meter dash.
Personal: Full name is Tra'von Emmanuel Ricketts ... Is the son of Matt Chapman ... Has one sibling, Jalleah Chapman ... Was born in Fayetteville, N.C.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Campbell, Charlotte, Charleston Southern, Connecticut, James Madison, North Carolina Central and VMI.

Zac Saalweachter
OL - 6-3 - 305 lbs.
Winston-Salem, N.C. (R.J. Reynolds HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year varsity starter and letterman who was voted a team captain as both a junior and senior ... Played center along the offensive line, grading out at 90-percent or better and averaged 37 pancake blocks per season ... Four-time All-Forsyth County pick and a three-time 4-A All-Central Piedmont Conference selection, earning 2014 All-Northwest Conference as a senior ... Was a Shrine Bowl Top 100 participant ... Was the team's strongest overall weight lifter on varsity for three years ... Played one season of junior varsity football at West Forsyth before transferring ... High school coach was Scott Saalweachter.
Personal: Is the son of Scott and Amy Saalweachter ... His father played offensive line for two seasons at James Madison before transferring to Mars Hill.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Appalachian State, Charleston Southern, The Citadel, UNC Pembroke and Wingate.

Brad Swan, Jr.
WR - 6-2 - 185 lbs.
Dallas, Ga. (North Paulding HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Hauled in 61 catches for 915 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... Had over 100 yards receiving in the Georgia Northwest Senior Bowl ... High school coach was Scott Jones.
Personal: Is the son of Brad Swan, Sr. and Shenika ... Has two brothers, Benjamin and C.J.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Mississippi Valley State and Texas Southern.

Marvin Tillman
DB - 6-1 - 180 lbs.
Bridgeport, Conn. (Southern Durham (N.C.) HS)
Note: Graduated from Southern Durham HS early and enrolled at Western Carolina in the spring, 2015 semester.
Prior to Western Carolina: Three-time All-Big 8 Conference selection including honorable mention as a sophomore ... Recorded 73 tackles as a senior and forced four fumbles, recovering three ... Finished with 14 career interceptions including seven as a senior ... Scored six touchdowns over his final two seasons ... Had 55 tackles as a junior ... Listed as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and was ranked as the 39th-best player in the state of North Carolina ... Also listed as a two-star recruit from 247Sports.com ... Was a part of back-to-back conference championships and a 3-AA state title as a junior ... High school coach was Darius Robinson ... Also played basketball as a prep.
Personal: Was born in Bridgeport, Conn. ... Is the son of Marvin, Sr. and Teresa Tillman ... His father played semi-pro football ... Has four siblings: Tiaundra, Tiara, Jessikia, and Ariana ... Two of his sisters competed in collegiate sports.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Charleston Southern, East Carolina, Elon, Hampton, Liberty, and Presbyterian.

Mikey White
DB - 6-3 - 180 lbs.
Johnson City, Tenn. (Science Hill HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played mostly wide receiver and defensive back before seeing more time at running back as a senior ... Rushed for 474 yards and seven touchdowns while also catching 30 passes for 439 yards and three scores ... Defensively, racked up 55 tackles with six TFLs while intercepting five passes, returning two for scores ... Played in the Eighth-Annual Border Bowl between Kentucky and Tennessee, catching a touchdown pass as a wide receiver ... Missed four games due to a hand injury as a junior ... High school coach was Stacy Carter ... Also played basketball and ran track as a prep.
Personal: Full name is Jermichael White, but prefers to go by "Mikey" ... Is the son of Tonya White ... Has a younger brother.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Chattanooga, East Tennessee State and Furman.

Kalen Whitlow
QB - 6-1 - 180 lbs.
Dothan, Ala. (Northview HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Passed for over 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior at Northview High earning honorable mention all-state accolades ... Began his prep career at Prattville High before transferring to Northview ... In his final season at Prattville, threw for 916 yards on 63-of-114 passing with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions ... As a sophomore, threw for 888 yards on 54-of-124 passing with six TDs and 11 interceptions ... Listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and is touted as a three-star recruit from 247Sports.com ... High school coach was LaBryan Stewart.
Personal: Is the son of Walter and Tracey ... His father played basketball in junior college ... His brother, Jalen Whitlow, was a starting QB at Kentucky before transferring to Eastern Illinois where he is the starter for the Panthers.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Alabama State, Alcorn State, Appalachian State, Chattanooga, Grambling, Navy and Samford.

Bryce Wilson
DB - 5-10 - 165 lbs.
Atlanta, Ga. (Carver HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year starter at Carver HS where he was a three-time team defensive back MVP ... Twice earned all-region honors in his final two seasons ... Tallied five touchdowns as a senior including three on offense and two defensively ... Team captain as a senior ... Finished his prep career with 10 career interceptions ... High school coach was Darren Myles.
Personal: Full name is Bryce D. Wilson ... Is the son of Eric and Adra Wilson ... His father played baseball at Morehouse College ... Has three siblings: Rayah, Raven and Reece.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Troy, Kennesaw State and Old Dominion. Jeremiah Young
RB - 6-0 - 230 lbs.
Franklin, N.C. (Franklin HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: A two-time 2-A All-State selection who earned WNC Athletic 2-A/3-A Offensive Player of the Year accolades in 2013 and 2014 ... Was a four-year starter and four-year all-conference performer ... Rushed for 2,078 yards and 36 TDs as a senior, posting 215 yards and three scores on the ground in the regional finals ... Added six catches for 66 yards and was credited with a team-high 111 tackles including three sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery ... Holds the Franklin High school records for career rushing yards (4,479), points scored (444) and tackles (367.5) ... He also holds single-season rushing touchdowns with 36 and the mark for TDs in a single-game (six) ... Rushed for a WNC Athletic Conference-leading 1,788 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior, adding a conference-best 101.5 tackles on defense ... During his sophomore season, rushed for nearly 1,800 yards and 28 touchdowns while amassing over 100 tackles on defense ... Was a part of 46 career victories at Franklin High, the most wins by any varsity player in a career ... High school coach was former Catamount quarterback, Josh Brooks (1993-97).
Personal: Is the son of Parish and Debbie Young ... Jeremiah is the youngest of five children.
Note: Chose Western Carolina over Lenoir-Rhyne, Richmond and The Citadel.

Cullowhee, N.C. - Catamount football fans can follow all of the excitement of the 2015 National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 4, by visiting CatamountSports.com, the official web site of Western Carolina athletics. As the National Letters of Intent (NLI) are signed and approved, updated player information and student-athlete bios will be made available online.

On Saturday (Feb. 7) afternoon, Western Carolina Football and the Catamount Club will host a special, invitation-only National Signing Day reception in conjunction with the Catamounts' home basketball double-header on-campus in Cullowhee. WCU's women host East Tennessee State on "Play 4 Kay" day in the Ramsey Center at 2:00 pm. Then, at 4:30 pm, the Catamount men battle SoCon front-runner, Chattanooga, with a 4:30 pm tip-off.

Speir will present the members of the 2015 incoming class with video highlights of each signee. Due to demand to attend this special event, only Catamount Club members at the Top Cat membership level ($750 donation annually) and above are eligible to attend. RSVP information has been sent to eligible members and reservations are mandatory by Monday, Feb. 2. Space is limited to the first eligible 150 members and walk-ups on the day of the event will not be permitted.

The National Signing Day event will be video streamed LIVE free-of-charge through Catamount All-Access on CatamountSports.com.

National Signing Day Roster:
CatamountSports.com will be the home for Western Carolina's coverage of National Signing Day 2015 on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Beginning Wednesday morning, CatamountSports.com will unveil the names of each signee as soon as the National Letter of Intent (NLI) is received and reviewed by WCU's compliance official.

Full Player Bios:
CatamountSports.com will also include full player bios of each signee.

Twitter Coverage:
Follow @Catamounts on Twitter for real-time updates throughout the day. Use the #CatamountNSD to join in on the conversation.

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