Three players from Western Carolina, including Preseason All-America Ken Moore Jr. at defensive back, have been named to the 2026 Preseason All-Southern Conference teams. AJ Colombo returns as a wide receiver after recovering from injury, and offensive lineman Zach Watson also earned a second-team selection. The Catamounts were selected fourth in the preseason coaches' poll, which is the lowest pick for the team in recent years. ETSU leads the conference with nine players honored on the All-SoCon teams.

By the Numbers
  • Ken Moore Jr. has 96 career tackles and 8 interceptions over three seasons.
  • AJ Colombo tallied 590 receiving yards on 61 catches with five touchdowns in 2024.
State of Play
  • Western Carolina's preseason ranking is their lowest since being picked fifth in 2022 and 2023.
  • Mercer leads the preseason poll with 76 total points, followed by Tennessee Tech with 70 points.
What's Next

Western Carolina football begins fall camp on July 29, 2026, with the first game against Eastern Kentucky scheduled for August 29, 2026. The team will look to improve on their recent performance and adapt to their new preseason expectations, aiming for a stronger showing in the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

The recognition of three Catamounts as preseason All-SoCon highlights their individual talent amid a challenging preseason ranking. As the team prepares to battle through the forthcoming season, they need to harness this recognition for team success and to elevate their standings in the SoCon.