Game Features Best Talent from Cherokee County – Micah Nelson, Tyler West, Yousef Mugharbil, Josh Collins

 

By Brandon Stephens

 

(Raleigh) – – Western North Carolina is placing its best football feet forward in the Western Carolina University (WCU/Catamounts) at North Carolina State (NC State/Wolfpack) football game in Raleigh this week.  Four of its best players will suit up for the game including Murphy’s two-time state champion quarterback Micah Nelson (Catamounts), two-time champion lineman Yousef Mugharbil (Wolfpack), and former Andrews standout Tyler West (Wolfpack).   Former Swain County running back Josh Collins is also suiting up as a Catamount’s this Fall. These four players have demonstrated skill, character, and determination to excel in football at the high school and division one college football levels.

Micah Nelson

Micah Nelson has built himself as a very powerful defensive resource for the Catamounts.  Nelson helped quarterback the Murphy Bulldogs to 2016 and 2018 state championship titles.  Nelson appeared in the 2016 game to relieve QB Joey Curry from injury in Chapel Hill.  Two years later he demonstrated his gifts on offense and defense to help lead Murphy to a 60-to-27 win over Pamlico County.

Micah is working on the remaining two seasons of college football eligibility.  Through a few red shirt seasons either as a freshman or injury, Nelson has started graduate work at WCU.  Through the process of his development, he is a starting defensive end and has appeared in a number of games through the last few seasons.  Averaging 30 tackles and a dozen sacks, Micah is working on building his accomplishments as a Catamount.  Nelson will wear number 2 for the Catamounts.

Tyler West

The new chapter in college football is beginning for former Andrews Wildcat standout Tyler West.  West was a key member of the successful 2022 season in Andrews, which finished 13-and-1.  He finished his senior season as a stopping force for the Wildcats and caught the attention of NC State.  The Wolfpack hope to utilize Tyler as an offensive tackle.  West will wear number 61.

Yousef Mugharbil

The Wolfpack offensive front line may rely on two Cherokee County star football players.  Yousef Mugharbil has been working for the last three seasons to find a spot on the football field.  After a long and lustrous high school career with two state titles (2018 and 2021) to his credit, Mugharbil was recruited to Florida.  After suffering injury, he transferred to Colorado, where a coaching change occurred to bring Deion (Prime) Sanders to Boulder to direct the Buffaloes.  Mugharbil transferred in 2023 to NC State and sat out a year after going through the transfer portal.  This season may present opportunities for Yousef to do work on the offensive front line for the Wolfpack.  Mugharbil will wear number 71.

Josh Collins

Josh Collins finished up his high school football career as a Swain County Maroon Devil with 2,834 yards on 429 carries over three varsity seasons.  According to WCU, Collins rushed for his single-season career-best 1,743 yards as a prep senior.  He also added 213 career tackles including 87 as a junior with 26 total tackles for loss including 3.5 sacks.  Collins will wear 27.

WCU players Josh Collins and Micah Nelson talked about their experience playing against NC State; how they enjoy college football; and what the game against the Wolfpack will mean for the team and the beginning of the season.

NC State defeated WCU 38-to-21.  We requested interview time with Yousef Mugharbil and Tyler West.  NC State media policy would not all for an interview.  We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of former Murphy football player Adam Bobo to the WCU football team.  Bobo has been serving as an undergraduate football assistant coach to the Catamounts and helps coordinate the defensive schemes.

Next games to see these western North Carolina all-star football players in action will be as follows:

September 7th, 1PM : Western Carolina University hosts Campbell in Cullowhee, EJ Whitmire Stadium

September 7th, 7:30PM:  NC State hosts Tennessee in Charlotte, Panther Stadium