C-USA's Top 10 Players To Watch This Season (CFB)
CFB

C-USA's Top 10 Players To Watch This Season

Brian Bishop-USA TODAY Sports
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The Conference USA (C-USA) is expanding to include 10 programs this season. Kennesaw State joins after previously playing NCAA Division I FCS ball. Expansion should lead to an even more exciting season in 2024.

The conference produced the 65th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft in Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley. Two more players were later drafted from the C-USA in UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight and guard Elijah Klien.

C-USA will hold its annual media day on July 23. New talents are emerging and prepared for the spotlight. We’ve identified the 10 overall talents with the most upside to produce this campaign.

Maurice Westmoreland, DE, UTEP

Maurice Westmoreland is UTEP's best defender after linebacker Tyrice Knight was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round. Westmoreland exploded last season, recording 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He's firmly on the NFL draft radar, and a double-digit sack season is within the realm of possibility.

TJ Finley, QB, Western Kentucky

Western Kentucky turned to the transfer portal to replace quarterback Austin Reed, who signed with the Chicago Bears in undrafted free agency. The Hilltoppers lured TJ Finley from Texas State, who threw for 3,439 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. Finley was once at Auburn and LSU and is a player to watch in the C-USA this season.

Quinton Cooley, RB, Liberty

Quinton Cooley is a hard-nosed running back with outstanding vision. The tough-minded Cooley keeps his legs churning while fighting for every single yard. The Bailey, North Carolina native transferred from Wake Forest to Liberty ahead of 2023 and rushed for 1,401 yards and 16 touchdowns en route to helping Liberty defeat New Mexico State in the C-USA Championship Game.

Hosea Wheeler, DT, Western Kentucky

Hosea Wheeler took advantage of a national spotlight game versus Ohio State last season, recording a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception. All in all, Wheeler appeared in 13 contests with 11 starts, producing 42 tackles and two sacks. He'll help the Hilltoppers control the line of scrimmage this season.

Noah Smith, WR, Sam Houston State

Noah Smith was a workhorse for the Bearkats offense last season. He totaled 79 receptions for 783 yards and six touchdowns throughout a career-best campaign. Smith averaged 65.3 receiving yards per game and 9.9 yards per catch.

Shiyazh Pete, OT, New Mexico

New Mexico State offensive tackle Shiyazh Pete earned First-Team All-Conference USA honors in 2023. The Missoula, Montana native helped power forward an offense that scored an impressive 27.5 points per game. The mammoth Pete is listed at 6-foot-8 and 320 pounds.

Derek Carter, CB, Jacksonville State

Jacksonville State's Derek Carter is among the most productive and competitive cornerbacks in the conference. The Gamecocks standout totaled 44 tackles and eight pass breakups last season. Carter will attempt to convert those opportunities into interceptions in 2024 after failing to record one in 2022 and 2023.

Reggie Peterson, LB, FIU

FIU possessed the worst in-conference record last season at 1-7. Linebacker Reggie Peterson will strive for better results after experiencing a breakout campaign in 2023. Peterson was one of the few bright spots for the Panthers, accumulating 104 tackles, 7.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and 3.5 sacks.

Holden Willis, TE, Middle Tennessee State

Middle Tennessee State's Holden Willis is the most exciting tight end in the conference. The 6-foot-4 playmaker hauled in 46 receptions for 697 yards and five touchdowns throughout 2023 after transferring to the program from USF. Taking another step forward would increase Willis' 2025 NFL Draft chances.

Jase Bauer, QB, Sam Houston State

Sam Houston State's passing attack wasn't effective enough last season. That's precisely why they lured former Central Michigan quarterback Jase Bauer to the program from the transfer portal. Bauer appeared in 12 contests last season, throwing for 1,881 yards and 12 touchdowns. There's untapped potential to explore in 2024.



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