Western Kentucky University’s football team saw five of its standout players named to the Conference USA Preseason Watch List, and the Hilltoppers were selected second in the 2024 CUSA Football Media Predicted Order of Finish, as announced by the league on Friday.
The Hilltoppers on the Preseason Watch List include running back Elijah Young, offensive lineman Quantavious Leslie, defensive lineman Hosea Wheeler, defensive back Upton Stout, and kicker Lucas Carneiro. These five student-athletes were recognized as key players to watch ahead of the 2024 season, a selection made by the league’s 10 head coaches.
Standout Players
Hosea Wheeler, a redshirt junior, earned All-CUSA Second Team honors last season. Wheeler played in all 13 games, starting 11, and recorded 42 total tackles, including three for loss and two sacks. He also contributed a forced fumble, an interception, and a quarterback hurry.
Lucas Carneiro, a redshirt sophomore, was named CUSA Honorable Mention and to the CUSA All-Freshman Team. Carneiro handled kicking duties in all 13 games, going 9-of-12 on field goals and a perfect 47-of-47 on PATs. His notable performances include two field goals in his debut against South Florida and a game-winning 29-yard field goal in WKU’s 38-35 overtime victory against Old Dominion during the Famous Toastery Bowl.
Quantavious Leslie has been a stalwart at left guard for WKU, entering his fourth year as a starter. In 2023, he started all 12 regular-season games, helping the Hilltoppers finish second in Conference USA and tied for ninth nationally in sacks allowed, with just one per game.
Upton Stout had a promising yet injury-shortened season in 2023, appearing in seven games with six starts. He recorded 29 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception, five quarterback hurries, and eight pass breakups. Notably, Stout scored two defensive touchdowns last season: a 53-yard interception return against Houston Christian and a 16-yard fumble recovery return in the regular-season finale at FIU.
Elijah Young made a significant impact in his first season at WKU in 2023, playing in all 13 games with 10 starts. Young led the team in rushing with 474 yards and three touchdowns on 104 attempts. He also added 247 yards and three touchdowns on 20 receptions.
Team Outlook
The Hilltoppers were picked to finish second in Conference USA, as voted by the league’s 10 head coaches and select media members, earning 173 total points and two first-place votes. Stout and Young will represent WKU at the CUSA Kickoff & Media Day on Tuesday, July 23, in Frisco, Texas.
With a strong roster and high expectations, WKU is poised to make a significant impact in the 2024 season, building on their recent successes and striving for conference supremacy.
School (first-place votes)
Total
1. Liberty (18)
197
2. WKU (2)
173
3. Jax State
166
4. MTSU
98
t5. NM State
97
t5. Sam Houston
97
7. LA Tech
88
8. FIU
81
9. UTEP
76
10. Kennesaw State
27
