The Hilltoppers are on the heels of what could be a historic season. With several returning stars and new impactful additions, Western Kentucky has the opportunity to take the Conference USA and Group of Five football all together.
But, in the face conference realignments and some new opponents, the Hilltoppers will have to face some of the nation's top talent for the 2023 season.
From Ohio State to Jacksonville State, here's who could give Western Kentucky a little trouble this season:
1.) Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State: Harrison isn't just the toughest wide receiver that the Hilltoppers will face in 2023, he's far and away the best football player they'll see on the field. The six-foot-four, 205 pound junior Buckeye is regarded by media and draft analysts as a generational NFL prospect and the most talented receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft. In 2022, Harrison hauled in 1,263 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns on 77 receptions, averaging 16.4 yards per catch. He was Ohio State's first ever unanimous All-American wide receiver in 2022. Harrison also boasts first-team accolades by AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, and Walter Camp, while also having been named the Big Ten Conference's Richter-Howard Wide Receiver of the Year.
2.) The UTEP Offensive Line: The Miners likely have the best offensive line in the Conference USA. The group is starting four 2022 All C-USA Honorable Mentions and a sixth-year player. Starting right tackle Zuri Henry and right guard Elijah Klein are both sixth-year players. Center Andrew Meyer has logged 31 starts for Texas El Paso. Transfers like TangiTangi Pongia, Jaquan Toney, and Nick Scalise, and returnees in Otis Pitts lll and Sedrick Luke, will all prove invaluable for the Miners. The Western Kentucky defensive front will have a lot of issues with this unit.
3.) Kendy Charles, DT, Liberty: Charles is a veteran leader within the defensive front seven for the Flames, especially under new leadership. Charles logged 36 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and a pass deflection while starting across all 13 games. Charles was a king of pressure amongst defensive tackles, leading all interior defensive linemen in pressures (31) amongst Independent schools, finishing in the top-20 across the FBS. Charles was a First Team All-Independent honoree in 2022. Currently, he's sitting on 2023 watch lists for the Nagurski and Outland Trophy's, respectively.
4.) Teldrick Ross, CB/S, MTSU: When the infamous 100 Miles of Hate rivalry comes around, there are going to be exciting matchups and big plays all day long. One of the several splashy players on the field will be Blue Raider defensive back Ross, a redshirt senior. A 2022 Second Team All C-USA honoree, Ross posted 77 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 22 pass deflections - each career highs. Ranked as the best cornerback in the C-USA for 2023 by College Football Network, Ross is a sticky and physical defender. On the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List for 2023, keep all eyes on Ross when September 28th rolls around.
5.) Diego Pavia, QB, New Mexico State: Pavia will be nothing short of legendary when his career is all said and done as an Aggie. Pavia was the first NMSU player to ever receive a Heisman vote and the first Aggie quarterback to ever win the Manning Quarterback of the Week Award. A 2022 Quick Lane Bowl MVP and 2022 CFN First Team All-Independent, Pavia completed 101 of his 190 pass attempts for 1,450 yards, 13 passing touchdowns and six interceptions while adding 508 yards and six scores on the ground. With an elevated receiving corps and another season in the system, Pavia could prove to be a challenge.
6.) Marquis Crosby, RB, LA Tech: Crosby was one of the best young running backs in college football last season. As a redshirt freshman, he averaged 5.0 yards per rush across 183 carries, putting up 918 yards and nine scores on the ground. This was good enough for finishing sixth nationally amongst all freshmen in total rushing yards and fourth in the C-USA in yards per rush. Crosby was most notably honored as a 2022 CFN Freshman All-American Honorable Mention. If that's not enough - he's behind an offensive line covered in returning starters and All C-USA honorees.
7.) Chris Hardie Jr, DE, Jacksonville State: Hardie will be one of the toughest defensive ends the Hilltoppers offensive line will face in 2023. CFN has been incredibly high on Hardie, dubbing the Gamecock as a 2023 Preseason First Team All C-USA honoree and as the seventh ranked overall player in the C-USA in their Top 30 ranking. In 2022, Hardie started all 11 games for Jacksonville State, putting up a career-best 40 tackles, an eye-opening 15.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.
8.) Dell Pettus, S, Troy: Pettus has been a problem since 2019, and that will continue to be the narrative for the six-foot, 200 pound safety. A 2019 Freshman All-American, Pettus has continued his high level play through 2022, where he posted 66 total tackles, starting all 14 games for the Trojans. His 77.7 tackle grade by Pro Football Focus ranked second amongst all Group of Five safeties. Pettus landed 2023 Preseason All-Sun Belt Preseason Second Team honors for Athlon, Phil Steele, and the Sun Belt Conference.
9.) The Praise Amaewhule and Tyrice Knight Duo, UTEP: UTEP isn't just going to give Western Kentucky issues on the offensive side of the ball, but the defensive side too. Amaewhule, a defensive end, finished with 24 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two pass breakups on his way to earning Second Team All C-USA honors. Knight was also a Second Team All C-USA honoree, posting 95 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, six pass deflections, and two forced fumbles (a lot of stats). Amaewhule and Knight rushing Austin Reed on the same side of the ball is going to be a scary sight.
While the Hilltoppers have a clear shot at bringing home a Conference USA championship and taking the Group of Five by storm, that doesn't exactly mean they won't have their fair share of challenges along the way.
From Harrison to Pavia to Pettus, the Toppers have a big season ahead.
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