BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football announced its 2026 Spring Football Roster on Monday.
The 2026 WKU Football spring roster can be found HERE.
The Hilltoppers announced several updates to the coaching staff on Sunday. More information on coaching staff updates can be found HERE.
WKU Football has announced the addition of 64 total players this offseason. The Hilltoppers announced the signings of 40 new players following December's early signing period, when 24 new additions were announced. Below are capsules on the 40 players that have signed since the December early signing period:
Geajorm Akpaloo | Jr. | LB | 6-3 | 220 | Coastal Carolina/Myrtle Beach Collegiate/Battlefield HS | Warrenton, Va.
Akpaloo joins WKU after spending two seasons at Coastal Carolina, where he appeared in 18 games. He played in 10 games during the 2025 season and recorded 13 total tackles, after playing in eight games during his first season with the program. Akpaloo prepped at Myrtle Beach Collegiate for Head Coach Ryan Williams, and also attended Battlefield High School, where he was a First Team All-District wide receiver.
Ajay Allen | R-Sr. | RB | 5-11 | 200 | Tulsa/FIU/Miami/Nebraska/Neville HS | Monroe, La.
Allen joins the Hilltoppers after spending one season at Tulsa, where he played in all 12 games for the Golden Hurricane. He recorded 497 yards and a team-high five rushing touchdowns on 97 attempts, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He also posted 10 catches for 98 yards. He twice rushed for over 100 yards – at FAU and against UAB. He transferred to Tulsa after spending the 2025 spring at FIU. Prior to FIU, Allen spent the 2023-24 seasons at Miami and the 2022 season at Nebraska. Over those three seasons, he appeared in 21 games with 734 yards and nine touchdowns on 127 carries. During the 2024 season, he rushed for 183 yards and two scores on 24 carries in eight games for the Hurricanes, and the year prior, he played in eight games with one start, rushing for 350 yards on 67 carries with five touchdowns. As a true freshman in 2022, he played in Nebraska's first four games before suffering a season-ending injury. He rushed 33 times for 190 yards and two touchdowns for the Huskers. Allen prepped at Neville High School in Louisiana, where he was regarded as a four-star prospect by 247Sports, On3 and the On3 Composite Rankings. He was considered the No. 5 running back nationally by On3. As a senior, Allen rushed for more than 2,200 yards and scored 34 touchdowns, leading his team to the state semifinals. He ranked 11th in the state during the regular season with over 1,600 yards rushing.
Coleson Arends | R-Jr. | TE | 6-4 | 245 | Arizona State/Pinnacle HS | Phoenix, Ariz.
Arends makes his way to WKU after starting his career at Arizona State, where he appeared in 15 games over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He appeared in one game with the Sun Devils in his final season with the program. He appeared in all 14 games, primarily on special teams, during the 2024 season. He recorded 130 snaps on special teams and saw the field on offense in several games. He redshirted in 2023 during his first season with the program. Arends prepped at Pinnacle High School in Arizona, where he was a two-way player on the football field. He finished his senior season with 25 receptions for 331 yards and five touchdowns. He also played baseball at Pinnacle and posted a .321 batting average over 49 varsity games with 41 RBIs and nine homers.
Sincere Baines | Sr. | RB | 5-11 | 180 | Maine/UNC Pembroke/Jack Britt HS | Fayetteville, N.C.
Baines joins the Hilltoppers after spending the 2025 season at Maine, where he appeared in 12 games and rushed for 709 yards and three touchdowns on 122 attempts. He also caught 13 passes for 45 yards and a score. Baines posted a pair of 100-yard rushing games for the Black Bears – at Liberty and against Stonehill – and added a 99-yard rushing game against N.C. AT&T. Baines was named All-CAA Third Team, after finishing with the second-highest yards per game – 5.8 – in the CAA and the 25th-best mark in the FCS. Baines spent his first two seasons at UNC Pembroke, where he appeared in 20 games and rushed for 1,511 yards and 19 touchdowns on 226 attempts, and added 35 receptions for 417 yards and two scores. Over the two seasons, he also returned 24 kicks for 583 yards and a touchdown. Baines prepped at Jack Britt High School in North Carolina. There, he rushed for 2,167 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior, and also logged 29 receptions for 411 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 238.9 all-purpose yards and did not have a fumble as a senior. He was named All-Conference, All-County and All-State. He was named Best of 910Preps Offensive Player of the Year and his team's MVP. He was also a member of FCA, Student2Student Club and the National Honors Society.
Karl Campbell | FR. | K | 6-5 | 220 | Magherafelt, Ireland
Campbell makes his way to the U.S. from his home country of Ireland. He trained at Leader Kicking, an Irish-based American Football coaching program.
BJ Carey | R-Sr. | DB | 6-1 | 190 | Weber State/Downey HS | Downey, Calif.
Carey came to WKU after three seasons at Weber State, where he appeared in 33 games, including all of his team's games over the last two seasons. In 2025, he totaled 45 tackles, four tackles for loss and an interception. The year prior, Carey tallied 35 tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass breakup. He had 13 tackles as a true freshman in 2023, and he earned Big Sky Academic All-Conference honors that season. Carey prepped at Downey High School, where he graduated in 2023.
Zach Clayton | Jr. | OL | 6-5 | 288 | Middle Tennessee/East Coweta HS | Senoia, Ga.
Clayton comes to WKU from Middle Tennessee, where he appeared in 19 games with 12 starts over two seasons. In his final season with the program in 2025, he appeared in seven games with two starts, totaling 168 snaps played on the season. He played in 12 games with 10 starts the season prior as a freshman, and his 594 snaps ranked third-most among linemen and fifth-most among offensive players on the team. Clayton prepped at East Coweta High School in Georgia, where he lettered in football and lacrosse. As a senior, he was a team captain, as well as an All-Region and All-County selection. He earned Cobb County All-Region and All-County honors in 2022. He registered 73 pancakes as a senior, 67 as a junior and 60 as a sophomore. Clayton helped lead his team to the region championship in 2021 and advanced to the state playoffs in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Jacob Cosby-Mosley | R-So. | DB | 5-11 | 197 | Wake Forest/The Benjamin School | West Palm Beach, Fla.
Cosby-Mosley spent his first two seasons at Wake Forest, where he appeared in three games. He saw action in one game during the 2025 season and played in two during the 2024 season. Cosby-Mosley prepped at The Benjamin School in Florida, where he was a finalist for the Lou Groza Palm Beach County Player of the Year as a senior. He led his team to an 8-3 record that season, and recorded 122 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, seven interceptions, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles during his high school career. Cosby-Mosley was a multi-sport athlete in high school, competing also in basketball in track and field. He was an FHSAA 1A state qualifier as a junior in both the 110-meter hurdles and the triple jump, placing fifth and 11th, respectively, in each event, and took the bronze in the triple jump as a sophomore with a personal-best jump of 44-10.25.
CC Ezirim | R-Sr. | TE | 6-7 | 241 | Toledo/Dublin Jerome HS | Dublin, Ohio
Ezirim joins WKU after spending three seasons at Toledo, where he appeared in 25 games. He had two receptions for eight yards and a touchdown over five games during his final season with the Rockets in 2025, but missed most of the season due to injury. He appeared in 11 games in 2024 and had one reception for 27 yards, and played in nine games with a start in 2023, catching four passes for 82 yards. He received Academic All-MAC honors in 2024. Ezirim prepped at Dublin Jerome High School in Ohio, where he was a two-time letter winner on the football field and an Academic All-Conference honoree. He was also a two-time All-Conference selection in basketball, and he earned four letters in track and field and three in basketball.
Brock Glenn | R-Jr. | QB | 6-2 | 215 | Florida State/Lausanne Collegiate School | Covington, Tenn.
Glenn comes to WKU after spending three seasons at Florida State, where he appeared in 16 games with starts in seven games, including the 2023 ACC Championship Game and the Orange Bowl. In his final season with the Seminoles, Glenn appeared in four games and completed 6-of-10 passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 43 yards on seven attempts. He appeared in seven games with five starts the season prior, completing 51-of-114 passes for 597 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 97 yards. That season, he became the fourth player in the College Football Playoff Era to make his first three career starts at quarterback against Top 15 opponents. In his first season of college football in 2023, he appeared in five games with two starts – the ACC Championship and the Orange Bowl, becoming the only true freshman quarterback to make his first collegiate start in a Power 5 conference championship game in at least 20 years. That season, he finished with 229 yards on 19 completions. Glenn prepped at Lausanne Collegiate School, where he was considered a four-star prospect and was ranked as the No. 13 quarterback nationally and No. 7 overall prospect in Tennessee by 247Sports. He was considered teh No. 15 quarterback prospect by Rivals, the No. 17 by ESPN and the No. 25 by On3. He made the Elite 11 finals in the summer of 2022, and accounted for more than 4,500 yards of total offense and 68 touchdowns during his prep career. He passed for 3,928 yards and 57 touchdowns with only 13 interceptions, and added 654 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns. He led Lausanne to eight wins and advanced to quarterfinal round of Tennessee High School Division II Class AA playoffs his senior season.
Nathan Gonzales | Sr. | DE | 6-5 | 255 | Indiana State/Cerritos College/Warren HS | Bell Gardens, Calif.
Gonzales joins the Hilltoppers as a transfer from Indiana State. He appeared in 20 games over two seasons with the Sycamores, totaling 30 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks, as well as a blocked kick. Of his 30 tackles, 26 came during his final season with the program in 2025, as did his five tackles for loss and three sacks. He spent the 2023 season at Cerritos College, where he appeared in eight games and posted 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks as a freshman. Gonzales prepped at Warren in California. He was named All-San Gabriel Valley League as a senior, and also received the Iron Bear Award and earned an Academic Award He had 22 tackles with eight sacks as a senior.
Javin Griffin | R-Sr. | DL | 6-4 | 305 | Gardner-Webb/Mississippi Valley State/St. Martinville HS | St. Martinville, La.
Griffin spent three seasons prior to joining WKU at Gardner-Webb. He appeared in 16 games over the 2024 and 2025 seasons with 22 tackles, five tackles for loss and one pass defended. The majority of his production came during his final season with the program in 2025, when he posted 20 tackles, five tackles for loss and the pass defended over 12 games. He arrived at Gardner-Webb after spending the 2022 season at Mississippi Valley College, where he saw action in three games and redshirted. Griffin prepped at St. Martinville High School in Louisiana, where he helped guide the Tigers to a 12-4 record and the 2021 3A District 6 Championship during his senior season.
Darius Hampton | R-Sr. | DL | 6-3 | 245 | Central Oklahoma/Dodge City CC/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M/Houston Christian/Del City HS | Del City, Okla.
Hampton joins WKU after spending the 2025 season at Central Oklahoma, where he appeared in 11 games and recorded 22 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two passes defended and one blocked kick. He was at Dodge City Community College in Kansas. There, he played in 10 games with 22 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass defended and two blocked kicks. Hampton played at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M during the 2023 season, recording 14 tackles and one tackle for loss. Hampton started his career at Houston Christian, where he appeared in three games. Hampton prepped at Del City High School in Oklahoma.
Kalib Hicks | R-Jr. | RB | 5-11 | 215 | Oklahoma State/Oklahoma/Ryan HS | Denton, Texas
Hicks joins WKU after one season at Oklahoma State, where he appeared in seven games and rushed for 128 yards on 44 attempts. His top performance came at Oregon on Sept. 6, when he rushed for 63 yards on 14 attempts. He spent two seasons at Oklahoma prior to his time with the Cowboys. In his first season of college football in 2023, Hicks saw action in two games – the season opener against Arkansas State and in the Alamo Bowl against Arizona – and rushed three times for 14 yards and a touchdown, all against Arkansas State. He played in five games on special teams and in a reserve role at running back in 2024 at Oklahoma, totaling 11 yards on two carries. Hicks prepped at Ryan High School in Texas, where he ran for more than 3,500 yards and more than 30 touchdowns in his career. He helped his team to the Texas 5A Division I state title his sophomore season in 2020. He was rated as a four-star recruit by On3 and a three-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals. He was ranked as the No. 297 overall player in the nation by On3. He was regarded as the No. 8 running back in his class by Rivals, No. 19 by On3, No. 44 by ESPN and No. 49 by 247Sports. He was considered Texas' No. 54 recruit by On3, No. 79 by Rivals, No. 88 by ESPN and No. 127 by 247Sports. He also ran track in high school.
Qua'Vez Humphreys | R-Sr. | WR | 6-2 | 236 | Sam Houston/Butler CC/Junction City HS | Junction City, Kan.
Humphreys transfers to WKU from Sam Houston, where he spent the past three seasons after starting his career at Butler Community College. He appeared in 25 games over his final two seasons in Huntsville, Texas, including 12 his final season with the program in 2025, when he caught 12 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. In 2024, Humphreys played in 13 games and ranked second on the team with 20 receptions for 385 yards and four touchdowns. He did not appear in any games during his first season at Sam Houston in 2023 after suffering an injury in preseason camp. He spent his first two seasons of college at Butler Community College, where he appeared in seven games with 21 receptions for 335 yards and five scores. Humphreys prepped at Junction City High School in Kansas.
Alec Johnson | R-Sr. | OL | 6-2 | 300 | Georgia State/Gray Collegiate Academy | Columbia, S.C.
Johnson comes to WKU from Georgia State, where he spent the past four seasons and appeared in 33 games, including all 24 the team played the past two seasons, primarily at center. In his final season with the Panthers, he helped the team accumulate 4,514 yards of offense and averaged 254.1 yards passing per game while appearing in all 12 games. He appeared in 12 games during the 2024 season, eight in 2023 and one in 2022. Johnson prepped at Gray Collegiate Academy in South Carolina, where he helped lead his team to the 2A state title. He was named First Team All-State by the South Carolina Football Coaches Association. At Gray Collegiate Academy, he helped block for the nation's leading rusher KZ Adams, who had 3,343 yards, including 450 in the state championship victory. Johnson was also picked for the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl and the North vs. South All-Star Game.
Nigel Johnson | R-Sr. | WR | 6-5 | 200 | South Carolina State/Crestwood HS | Sumter, S.C.
Johnson comes to WKU from South Carolina State, where he spent his first three seasons of college football. He played in 10 games during the 2025 season, recording 11 receptions for 295 yards and three touchdowns for the 10-3 Bulldogs. The year prior, he had six catches for 133 yards and a touchdown in five games played, and in 2023 as a true freshman, Johnson appeared in 11 games with 11 receptions for 127 yards. Johnson prepped at Crestwood High School in South Carolina, where he caught 26 passes for 630 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games as a senior, according to his team's MaxPreps account.
Rhett Larson | R-Sr. | OL | 6-5 | 305 | Sam Houston/SMU/A&M Consolidated HS | College Station, Texas
Larson makes his way to WKU after spending the previous three seasons at Sam Houston, where he appeared in all 37 of the team's games during that time. He played in all 12 games during his final season with the program in 2025, in 13 games during the 2024 season – including starts in the first nine games of the season at right tackle before moving to left guard for the final four games – and in all 12 games in 2023. He was named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team that season. He started his college career at SMU in 2022. He did not see any game action there. Larson prepped at A&M Consolidated High School in Texas, where he was considered a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He was a First Team All-District selection and ranked as the No. 87 offensive tackle in the nation in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Zeiqui Lawton | R-Sr. | DL | 6-1 | 260 | Sam Houston/West Virginia/Cincinnati/South Charleston HS | Charleston, W.Va.
Lawton joins the Hilltoppers after spending one season at Sam Houston. He played in 11 games for the Bearkats with 15 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. He was named to the 2025 CUSA Preseason Watch List. Lawton spent the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons at West Virginia, where he saw action in one game during the 2023 season before being sidelined due to injury. He did not see game action during the 2022 or 2024 seasons. Lawton started his career at Cincinnati in 2021, but did not see any game action and redshirted. Lawton prepped at South Charleston High School, where he was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN in the Class of 2021. He was ranked as the No. 2 player in West Virginia by 247Sports and ESPN, while Rivals tabbed him as the No. 3 player in the state. He was rated the No. 51 defensive end in the nation by ESPN and the No. 69 defensive lineman by 247Sports. During his prep career, Lawton saw action in 34 games and finished with a school-record 35 sacks. He was 2020 West Virginia First Team All-2020 State and the All-Kanawha Valley Player of the Year. He was named 2019 West Virginia First Team All-State, and was named to the West Virginia All-State Second Team as a freshman and sophomore. He was named the USA Today Sports West Virginia Defensive Player of the Year and received the West Virginia Sports Writers' Sam Huff Award following his senior season. He finished his senior season with 48 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and 19 quarterback hurries. He led South Charleston to an 8-0 record and the West Virginia Class AAA state championship. As a junior, he had 26 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.
Alex Lopez | R-Fr. | OL | 6-6 | 295 | Mississippi State/Bayou Academy | Cleveland, Miss.
Lopez comes to WKU after spending his first two seasons of college football at Mississippi State. He played in one game – which was in 2025 against Alcorn State – after not seeing any game action and redshirting in 2024. He started his college football career as a walk-on at Mississippi State. He was named to the 2025 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll. Lopez prepped at Bayou Academy in Mississippi, where he was rated as a three-star offensive tackle and the No. 31 rated player in the state of Mississippi.
Garrison Madden | R-Sr. | LB | 6-2 | 225 | USC/Dutchtown HS | Hampton, Ga.
Madden comes to WKU after spending four seasons at USC, where he appeared in 24 games, including 23 over his final two seasons. He posted nine total tackles, with four coming in 11 games during the 2025 season. Madden prepped at Dutchtown High in Georgia, where he made the 2021 All-Region 4AAAAA First Team as a senior outside linebacker and wide receiver. He didn't start playing football until his 2020 junior season, but was also on the basketball and track teams at Dutchtown. He had bests of 10.71 in the 100-meter and 22.22 in the 200-meter. He was third in the 100, sixth in the 200 and anchored the winning 400-meter relay squad at the 2020 Georgia Class 5A Championships.
Tyreek Major | R-So. | OL | 6-6 | 320 | USF/Gaither HS | Tampa, Fla.
Major joins the Hilltoppers after spending his first two seasons at South Florida. He appeared in 13 games during his time with the Bulls, including eight games last season, when the Bulls went 9-4 and played in the Cure Bowl, and five games as a true freshman in 2024 for a team that finished 7-6 with a win in the Hawaii Bowl. Major prepped at Gaither High School in Florida, where he was rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals.
Walter Manning | So. | DB | 5-10 | 176 | Riverside City College/Everglades HS | Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Manning comes to The Hill from Riverside City College. As a freshman at Riverside in 2025, Manning appeared in 10 games with 22 tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception. Manning prepped at Everglades High School in Florida, where he posted 18 tackles, six interceptions and four additional pass breakups in eight games as a senior, according to his team's MaxPreps account.
Le'Kamren Meadows | Fr. | RB | 6-0 | 209 | Moody HS | Moody, Ala.
Meadows joins the Hilltoppers after prepping at Moody High School in Alabama, where he was considered a three-star running back prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and On3/Rivals. ESPN and On3/Rivals both consider Meadows the No. 63 prospect in his class from the state of Alabama. Meadows rushed for 1,215 yards and 13 touchdowns on 159 carries as a senior, according to his team's MaxPreps account. He tallied five 100-plus yard rushing games in 2025, and added 93 yards on 12 receptions. As a junior in 2024, Meadows posted 1,037 yards and 12 scores on 149 carries – with four 100-plus yard rushing games – as well as 159 yards and two touchdowns on 11 catches.
Roq Montgomery | R-Jr. | OL | 6-3 | 330 | Alabama/Anniston HS | Anniston, Ala.
Montgomery arrives at WKU after starting his college career as an offensive lineman at Alabama. In his first season with the program in 2023, he appeared in two games before redshirting. He played in 12 games on special teams while also rotating along the offensive front in 2024, and he did not see any game action during the 2025 season. Montgomery prepped at Anniston High School in Alabama, where he was rated a four-star prospect by Rivals and On3. He was considered the No. 11 offensive guard and the No. 21 overall player in the state of Alabama, according to Rivals, and he was considered by On3 to be the No. 26 player at his position in the country and No. 20 in the state. He was rated a three-star prospect on the 247Composite rankings, checking in as the No. 26 interior offensive lineman and the No. 22 player from Alabama. He was No. 31 offensive lineman and No. 21 in the state on the On3 Consensus. He was ESPN's No. 206 player in the Southeast Region, No. 21 offensive guard and No. 23 player from the state.
Canyon Moses | R-Jr. | DB | 5-11 | 190 | Northern Arizona/Arizona/Midland Legacy HS | Midland, Texas
Moses joins the Hilltoppers after spending the previous two seasons at Northern Arizona, where he appeared in 25 games, including 15 starts at nickelback and safety. Moses tallied 64 total tackles over his two seasons with the Lumberjacks, including 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He added six passes defended in two seasons at Northern Arizona. In his first season with the program in 2024, Moses played in 13 games with five starts and posted 31 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and five passes defended, and in 2025 he had 33 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one pass defended in 12 games, including 10 starts. Moses started his college career at Arizona in 2023, where he did not see any game action and redshirted. Moses prepped at Midland Legacy High School in Texas, where he was considered a three-star recruit by 247Sports. Over two varsity seasons, he totaled 99 tackles, six tackles for loss, 13 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and five interceptions. He also competed on the track team and was a 2-6A First Team All-District selection as a junior.
Kiawan Murphy | R-Sr. | DL | 6-2 | 320 | Akron/East Hartford HS | East Hartford, Conn.
Murphy spent four seasons at Akron, where he appeared in 26 games. In his final season with the program in 2025, Murphy posted 15 tackles and one pass defended in 12 games. He had five tackles the season prior, including 0.5 tackles for loss. Murphy prepped at East Hartford High School in Connecticut, where he was a four-year letterwinner.
Tony Newsome Jr. | R-Sr. | DB | 6-0 | 170 | West Florida/LA Valley College/West Orange HS | Apopka, Fla.
Newsome spent two seasons at West Florida before his arrival at WKU. The defensive back appeared in 20 games with the Argonauts, including 12 during his final season with the program. In 2025, Newsome recorded 25 total tackles, a forced fumble, two interceptions and five pass breakups. He also returned 29 punts for 226 yards and a touchdown. He was named Second Team Gulf South Conference following the season, and was named GSC Defensive Player of the Week and GSC Special Teams Player of the Week during the 2025 season. In 2024, Newsome had seven tackles, one tackle for loss and three pass breakups, while also posting 134 yards on six kick returns. Newsome spent his first season of college football at Los Angeles Valley College, where he appeared in 10 games and recorded 33 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three interceptions, four pass breakups and a blocked kick. Newsome prepped at West Orange High School in Florida.
Nonso Omezi | Sr. | OL | 6-5 | 323 | Houston Christian/Texas A&M-Commerce/Westside HS | Houston, Texas
Omezi arrived at WKU after spending three seasons at Houston Christian, where he appeared in 34 games and was a regular starter the last two seasons. He was named to the Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2024 and 2023. In his first season at Houston Christian in 2023 way for the top rushing offense in the Southland Conference. Omezi played his freshman season at Texas A&M Commerce in 2022 and appeared in four games. Omezi prepped at Westside High School in Texas, where he was a two-year starter for Coach Jomaul Mason.
Carson Perusse | Jr. | LS | 6-0 | 216 | UNC Pembroke/Wellington HS | Wellington, Fla.
Perusse joins the Hilltoppers after spending two seasons at UNC Pembroke, where he appeared in 20 games as the team's long snapper. He played in 10 games in each of those two seasons. He posted three total tackles, as well as a fumble recovery. He was named to the MEC Commissioner's Honor Roll. Perusse prepped at Wellington High School in Florida, where he was named the team's Offensive MVP. He earned All-County honors. As a senior, he caught 23 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown in 10 games, according to his team's MaxPreps account.
Tai Ray | R-Jr. | OL | 6-6 | 330 | Pitt/Apopka HS | Apopka, Fla.
Ray joins the Hilltoppers after spending three seasons at Pitt. He appeared in 13 games during the 2025 season, primarily on special teams, and saw action in 16 games total for the Panthers. Ray prepped at Apopka High School in Florida, where he helped lead his team to the state championship game in each of his final two seasons. He was a three-year varsity starter and was named First Team All-Metro and All-Area and to the Orlando Sentinel Central Florida "Super 60." Ray helped the Blue Darters to a combined 23-7 record as a junior and senior.
Griffin Reimer | R-So. | TE | 6-5 | 254 | North Carolina State/Weddington HS | Matthews, N.C.
Reimer joins the Hilltoppers as a transfer from N.C. State. He appeared in nine games for the Wolf Pack in 2025, with one catch for seven yards against Campbell. Reimer walked on at N.C. State after prepping at Weddington High School in North Carolina, where he caught 53 passes for 651 yards and seven touchdowns during his senior season.
Brody Riffe | R-Jr. | OL | 6-8 | 316 | EKU/Pitt/West Orange HS | Ocoee, Fla.
Riffe comes to WKU from Eastern Kentucky, where he appeared in 11 games in his lone season with the Colonels. He spent the two seasons prior at Pitt, where he did not see any game action. He joined the Panthers during training camp in 2023 as a walk-on. Riffe prepped at West Orange High School in Florida, where he was a three-year letter winner on the offensive line. He helped the Warriors to three district championships, and he was credited with 17 pancake blocks as a senior. He also lettered in volleyball and track and field.
Jyziah Rockwell | Sr. | WR | 6-2 | 214 | Prairie View A&M/Sam Houston/Gilmer HS | Gilmer, Texas
Rockwell joins the Hilltoppers after a year at Prairie View A&M, where he led the team in receiving in 2025. Rockwell posted 74 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games with the Panthers. He tallied three 100-yard receiving games in 2025, plus an additional three games where he had over 90 yards receiving. He spent the two seasons before that at Sam Houston, where he recorded 13 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown over 18 games played. Rockwell was rated a three-star prospect out of Gilmer High School in Texas, where he was rated the No. 216 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 226 overall player in the state of Texas. He led Gilmer to the Class 3A Division I state championship game in 2021, and, as a senior, tallied 42 catches for 669 yards and nine touchdowns. He was named the District 6-4A II Newcomer of the Year in 2019 at Longview Spring Hill High School. He played at John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas, as a freshman in 2018.
Zion Taylor | R-Jr. | WR | 6-0 | 205 | Georgia Tech/Norcross HS | Norcross, Ga.
Taylor comes to WKU after three seasons at Georgia Tech, where he appeared in 19 games, including 13 during the 2025 season. Taylor totaled 12 catches for 130 yards and one touchdown during his time at Georgia Tech, with the majority of that production coming in his final season with the program. Taylor prepped at Norcross High School in Georgia, where he was considered a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. He was the No. 76 rated prospect out of Georgia by 247Sports. He finished his high school career with 113 receptions for 1,745 yards and 16 touchdowns, as well as 2,859 all-purpose yards over 35 games. He transferred to Norcross ahead of his senior year and helped the program reach the Georgia Region 7-AAAAAA Championship Game. He was named the 2022 Gwinnett Specialist of the Year. In 12 games for Norcross as a senior, he had 50 receptions for 819 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 12 carries for 167 yards and three touchdowns, and returned 12 kickoffs for 431 total yards and three touchdowns. He returned 19 punts for 299 yards. His senior year ended with Taylor producing 1,716 all-purpose yards. He was named First Team All-County as a junior by Touchdown Club of Gwinnett at Parkview High School, after catching 48 passes for 700 yards and seven touchdowns. As a sophomore, Taylor recorded 15 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown.
LaTrevion Thompson | R-Sr. | OLB | 6-2 | 237 | SEMO/Kennett HS | Kennett, Mo.
Thompson comes to WKU after spending the last four seasons at SEMO, where he appeared in 35 games and recorded 71 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble. His best season came in his final with the Redhawks in 2025, when he posted 44 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, the three passes defended and the one forced fumble. Thompson prepped at Kennett High School in Missouri, where he was the winner of the Derland Moore Award, which is given to the top defensive player in the SEMO Conference, as well as the SEMO Ball Defensive Player of the Year Award. He ended his 2021 campaign at Kennett with 128 tackles, 45 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, nine pass breakups, an interception and a defensive touchdown. He was a First Team All-SEMO Conference selection and received Second Team Class 3 All-State honors.
Victory Vaka | R-Sr. | DL | 6-3 | 335 | Texas Southern/Northern Arizona/College of the Canyons/Westlake HS | Westlake Village, Calif.
Vaka comes to WKU after a year at Texas Southern, where he appeared in nine games and recorded 12 tackles, including one tackle for loss. He spent the 2024 season and Northern Arizona, where he appeared in four games, and the two seasons prior to that at College of the Canyons. At College of the Canyons, Vaka played in 16 games along the defensive line and recorded 26 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pair of pass breakups. Vaka prepped at Westlake High School in California, where he was considered a three-star recruit by 247Sports.
D'Cambren Verrett | R-Jr. | DB | 6-3 | 203 | Texas A&M-Kingsville/Hightower HS | Houston, Texas
Verrett spent three seasons at Texas A&M-Kingsville prior to coming to WKU in January 2026. He appeared in 23 games over three seasons with the Javelinas, posting 78 total tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception and 10 passes defended. During the 2025 season – his final at Texas A&M-Kingsville – Verrett recorded 43 tackles, one tackle for loss and five passes defended. In 2024, he had 33 tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception that he returned 98 yards for a touchdown against Western New Mexico. Verrett prepped at Hightower High School in Texas. As a senior, he recorded 34 tackles, two tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions in 13 games.
Daniel Wall | Fr. | P | 6-1 | 180 | Haileybury | Brighton East, Australia
Wall joins the Hilltoppers from Australia, where he trained as a specialist with Prokick Australia. Wall was ranked the No. 8 punter in his class by Ray Guy Pro Kicker, but has been playing Australian rules football.
Christian White | R-Sr. | DB | 5-11 | 172 | Florida State/Eagle's Landing Christian Academy | Ellenwood, Ga.
White comes to WKU after starting his college career with four seasons at Florida State. In his final season with the program in 2025, he recorded five tackles over five games. He played in Florida State's final two games during the 2024 season and tallied the first three tackles of his career. He appeared in two games as a redshirt freshman in 2023 and played in one game during his true freshman season in 2022 before redshirting. White prepped at Eagle's Landing Christian Academy, where he played both offensively and defensively. He tallied six interceptions, including four his senior season, and returned one for a touchdown. He caught five passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. As a senior, he helped lead the Chargers to the semifinal round of the Class A Private State Playoffs, and as a junior, he helped contribute on defense for a team that allowed just 14.7 points per game and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. He played on a state championship team as a sophomore. He also played basketball and baseball.
WKU Football will host the 2026 Red & White Spring Showcase, presented by SA Recycling, at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Saturday, April 11, at noon. The event will be free for fans to attend. More information on the 2026 Red & White Spring Showcase is available HERE.
The Hilltoppers are scheduled to open the 2026 season at Nevada on Saturday, Sept. 5. The full 2026 schedule will be released at a later date.
WKU Football 2026 season tickets are on sale now! Season tickets start as low as $50, and there are several options for different season ticket levels. For more information or to purchase 2026 WKU Football season tickets, click HERE. Are you interested in purchasing 2026 WKU Football tickets but don't know where to start? Fill out this form and a member of the WKU Ticket Office will be in touch soon! All season tickets require an HAF donation.
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