After back-to-back seven-win seasons and a runner-up finish in the SoCon standings a year ago, the Catamounts arrive at the 2025 season with both preseason accolades and lingering urgency. Third-year quarterback Taron Dickens was named the SoCon Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, headlining a league-best 11 all-conference selections tied with defending champion Mercer. But beneath the optimism lies a sobering reality: it’s been four decades since Western Carolina last reached the FCS playoffs.
Fifth-year head coach Kerwin Bell, who has rebuilt the program’s identity since arriving in Cullowhee, didn’t mince words about the stakes ahead.
“We’ve been building toward this, but now it’s time to convert red zone trips into touchdowns, not field goals,” Bell said during media availability. “That’s the difference between seven wins and making a run in the postseason.”
Dickens Steps Into Spotlight
Much of the Catamounts’ hopes hinge on redshirt sophomore quarterback Taron Dickens, who takes over full-time after showing flashes of brilliance in 2024. In seven appearances (four starts), Dickens threw for 1,428 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding two more scores on the ground. His 431-yard, five-touchdown performance in a comeback win over Chattanooga earned him national freshman of the week honors last November.
Now the keys to Bell’s high-octane offense belong solely to him.
“He’s a Hall of Fame point guard kind of quarterback,” said Bell. “He distributes the ball, makes great decisions, and doesn’t turn it over. That’s what we want, someone who runs the system, not just someone who slings it.”
Dickens replaces the now-departed Cole Gonzalez, but Bell emphasized continuity. Both players, he said, were recruited specifically to execute his rhythm-based, spread passing attack.
“Taron is efficient. He’s a natural fit in what we do, and I believe he’s ready to lead us where we need to go,” Bell said.
Weapons on Both Sides of the Ball
While Western lost key contributors to the portal, the cupboard is far from bare. Running back Branson Adams earned a spot on the preseason first team, while wide receiver Malik Knight landed on the second team. Bell also pointed to J Boyd and Jaylen Terzado as playmakers expected to step into larger roles.
Up front, Zach Watson (first team) and Aaron Sanez (second team) anchor an offensive line that Bell believes is the strongest he’s had at WCU.
But the biggest strides may come defensively.
The Catamounts return three preseason All-SoCon defenders, including first-team defensive end Caleb Fisher, linebacker Hayward McQueen Jr., and cornerback Ken Moore Jr. Second-team selections Micah Nelson, Blue Monroe, and Samaurie Dukes round out a veteran-heavy unit that has steadily improved under second-year defensive coordinator Jerry Odom.
“We’ve gotten bigger, faster, and stronger,” Bell said. “That’s where we were behind a couple years ago. Now I think we’ve closed the gap, especially in the trenches.”
Nelson, who enters his seventh year at WCU, and Fisher, a fifth-year senior, provide leadership up front. Fisher tallied 37 tackles and 7.0 TFLs last fall, while Nelson added 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
Respect Earned, Not Given
In the preseason coaches poll, Western Carolina slotted in third behind Mercer and Chattanooga, even picking up one first-place vote. The Catamounts are also ranked No. 18 in the HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25. Still, Bell said the goal isn’t recognition, it’s consistency.
“Last year we let one slip at Campbell that really hurt us,” he recalled. “You can’t have those games if you want to be a playoff team. We need to handle our business every week.”
Western Carolina returns 35 lettermen from the 2024 roster and opens the season against Gardner-Webb, a team Bell said resembles Pittsburgh defensively. Early preparation for the opener is already underway.
“They’re athletic and aggressive,” said Bell. “We’re not easing into anything. We’re jumping right into a test.”
SoCon Parity Remains a Challenge
The Southern Conference, Bell emphasized, offers little room for error. All nine teams play each other, meaning the path to a title, and a playoff bid, requires week-to-week focus and depth.
Mercer, led by 2024 SoCon Coach of the Year Mike Jacobs, enters the season as the favorite with six first-place votes. The Bears finished 11-3 last year and return Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Andrew Zock, a sophomore defensive lineman who logged 14.5 TFLs and seven sacks as a freshman.
Chattanooga picked up two first-place votes and is expected to contend again after a 7-5 season. ETSU, Samford, and Furman round out a tight second tier, while Wofford, The Citadel, and VMI look to rebound from tough 2024 campaigns.
“This league is brutal,” Bell said. “Every road trip is tough. Every coach is experienced. You have to bring your A-game every Saturday.”
Final Word: Time to Deliver
With talent at the skill positions, experience in the trenches, and a rising star under center, Western Carolina enters 2025 with legitimate title aspirations. But the Catamounts know that preseason honors mean little if December comes and goes without a playoff invitation.
“We’ve been close, but close doesn’t cut it,” Bell said. “This team has the leadership, the talent, and the hunger. Now we have to go prove it.”
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