WKU Football: Eight WKU Players Named Preseason All-CUSA by PFF

PFF may stand for Pro Football Focus, but really they deliver for the collegiate level as well. And that is exactly what they did when the…

PFF may stand for Pro Football Focus, but really they deliver for the collegiate level as well. And that is exactly what they did when the released their preseason all-conference team.

Among the players named, there were eight WKU players in the mix.

Bailey Zappe, QB (3rd team all-conference)

Zappe has so far been one of the most talked about transfers coming in to Conference USA. The Houston Baptist transfer lit up the competition there and is looking to prove himself as a QB that can also dominate at the FBS level. Considering last year in the shortened COVID-19 season, he played against three D1 teams, two of which were Conference USA teams, and lit them all up with big numbers — I think he is ready to prove that he can do it week in and week out. For a deeper dive into what Zappe brings to the Hill, click here.

Jerreth Sterns, WR (Honorable Mention)

Sterns is one of two players that came with Zappe from Houston Baptist. A speedy and quick guy that already has a connection with Zappe, he will be poised to put up big numbers in the Hilltopper’s revamped offense. Last year in a four game COVID season, Sterns put up 47 catches for 454 yards and five touchdowns: That’s over 10 catches, 100 yards, and a touchdown a game. Very impressive body of work. Hilltopper fans can only hope that it transfers to the FBS level, but with his former QB and Offensive Coordinator coming with him from HBU, he could be poised to have an explosive season.

Cole Spencer, OT (1st team)

Spencer was dominant last year. In pass protection, he was an iron wall. According to PFF, out of the Group of Five conferences, Spencer held the highest pass blocking grade out of the last two seasons. Could we see him go in the top three rounds of the NFL draft? It is quite possible, and the new and improved offense will definitely look to him to anchor what is already a talented offensive line.

Mason Brooks, OT (2nd Team)

Spencer may be the anchor, but the other side of the line doesn’t have a slouch on it at all. Brooks was named to PFF’s all conference USA team in 2020, and was an official Conference USA honorable mention for the award. He’ll look to build off last season, and use his senior season to help cement WKU’s O-Line as one of the tops in Conference USA. This is another guy that could work his way into getting a call on draft weekend next year.

Boe Wilson, OG (3rd Team)

Wilson comes to the Hill from Nebraska and the former Cornhusker is looking to make an immediate impact for the Hilltoppers this coming season. A monstrous run blocker who helped Nebraska get it’s offense rolling while he was there, he bolsters a line that already features two tackles that specialize in pass blocking. Could we see a lot of run plays that feature pulling guards from the Hilltoppers this year? With this guy in the lineup, my guess is absolutely.

Antwon Kincade, S (2nd Team)

Kincade was named honorable mention for C-USA’s all conference team in each of the last two seasons. I’m sure he is tired of just being mentioned, and wants to be in the entire conversation next year. Recording 48 solo tackles and 85 total tackles in 2020, he will be looking to continue to stuff any run play at the line of scrimmage. He recorded a career highs in both pass deflections (8) and tackles for loss (5.5) last year as well, while also forcing one fumble. Kincade will look to improve these stats, and land himself on the all conference team this season.

Brayden Narveson, K (1st Team)

Not only was Narveson named the C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week twice last year, but he was also named to the all-conference second team, and was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist (awarded to the best kicker in all of college football). He was perfect on extra points, and had a staggering 92% clip for his field goals, with the only miss coming from beyond 50 yards. He was 13–14 overall, with a long of 53 yards. The Lou Groza Award come end up in Brayden’s trophy case at the end of next season if he somehow improves upon his numbers.

John Haggerty III, P (3rd Team)

Haggerty was named second team all conference in 2020 for C-USA. He was also the Ray Guy Punter of the Week once last year, and ended the season on the Ray Guy best punter award watch list. The guy’s got a boot: On 56 punts, he averaged 45.7 yards and had a long of 68. If he continues to boot it like that, and manages to add accuracy to include more corner punts to down the opposing team inside the 20 more often, the Ray Guy award will be seen going home with John next season.

Western Kentucky could be a sneaky good team in C-USA next year. They’ll definitely be more competitive than last year, and many fans expect a bowl game from this improved roster. With college football slowly creeping closer and closer, excitement on the Hill only grows.