A New Era for the Catamounts' Rush
Western Carolina's running back corps for the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic units in the Southern Conference, driven by a competitive mindset and a clear mission to climb beyond the fifth‑place finish they posted in 2025.
At the helm of the backfield’s development is Coach Rudi Small, whose three straight 1,000‑yard rushing seasons at Jacksonville University have equipped him with a proven blueprint for extracting maximum explosiveness from every carry.
The group blends experience with fresh talent. Returning veterans such as Josh Perry and Marlin Cochran bring limited but meaningful game experience, while Power Five transfer Derrick Davis Jr., a former standout at LSU and Pitt, adds depth and a pedigree of high‑level competition.
Fresh faces have already made noise in preseason scrimmages. Jadarius Dobie erupted for three rushing touchdowns, Joshua Balloon and Landon Pope have shown flashes of breakaway speed, and the depth extends to Anthony Benjamin, Noah Best and Elijah Hadley, creating a room that feels both seasoned and hungry.
The ultimate target is clear: become the most explosive running back unit in the country. To achieve that, the team has adopted an all‑or‑nothing philosophy, insisting that every snap be approached with the intent to dominate.