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Athlon Sports
Western Kentucky Football: 2024 Hilltoppers Season Preview and Prediction
By Athlon Sports,
3 days ago
Tyson Helton’s club will once again have championship aspirations. But instead of relying on their ability to make huge plays when their backs are against the wall, the Hilltoppers need to avoid being against the wall at all. They can do that by getting the defense off the field
Western Kentucky 2024 Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing Western Kentucky’s Offense for 2024
Unsurprisingly, WKU’s success will be largely determined by quarterback play. TJ Finley transferred from Texas State this offseason after breaking a program record by throwing for 3,439 yards last season. However, redshirt sophomore Caden Veltkamp is expected to push for time as well after an MVP-worthy performance in the Famous Toastery Bowl that included five touchdown passes.
Replacing Malachi Corley will be difficult after his 79 catches were 29 more than the next-closest receiver. That receiver was Dalvin Smith, another bowl game hero who caught 50 passes for 513 yards last season with six touchdowns. He’s not the same type of player as Corley, but his 6-foot-3 frame makes him a very attractive target in the red zone.
Securing the pocket will be mission critical as always for the guys up front. The Hilltoppers allowed sacks on just 2.5 percent of plays last season — better than any other Group of 5 team. The offensive line will be led by Quantavious Leslie, who enters his fourth year as a starter at WKU. The 6-foot-3, 318-pounder will likely draw some NFL Draft attention in 2025.
WKU wide receiver Dalvin Smith caught nine passes for 77 yards and three touchdowns in a close Famous Toastery Bowl win over Old Dominion.
Jim Dedmon&solUSA TODAY Sports
Previewing Western Kentucky’s Defense for 2024
Improvement is necessary for the Hilltoppers on defense after they allowed 420 yards and 29 points per game in 2023.
Up front, defensive tackle Hosea Wheeler is a name to watch after 42 tackles earned him second-team All-CUSA honors. Wheeler picked up some game film against Ohio State last year that will likely serve him well, posting a sack, a forced fumble and an interception in that contest.
In the secondary, the Hilltoppers possess plenty of experience in the starting lineup. Cornerback Anthony Johnson will be one of the best defenders in CUSA. Redshirt junior Upton Stout will once again be an important piece of the puzzle. He led the team in pass breakups last season with eight. At safety, Ole Miss transfer Demarko Williams will likely start after being a hard-hitting rotational piece in the SEC for two years.
WKU cornerback Anthony Johnson is an Athlon Sports first-team All-Conference USA selection ahead of his senior season.
Dave Hyatt&solGadsden Times&solUSA Today Network
Previewing Western Kentucky’s Specialists for 2024
Receiver Easton Messer was All-CUSA honorable mention last season after averaging 22.2 yards per return. Kicker Lucas Carneiro was also honorable mention after going a perfect 47-for-47 on PATs. Punting duties will fall to Cole Maynard or Riley Stephens, both of whom are transfers.
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