Veteran Catamount linebacker Hayward McQueen Jr. brings production, playmaking, and edge
In the 2025 season, Hayward McQueen Jr. emerged as a first-team All-SoCon linebacker and a defensive tone-setter for Western Carolina, finishing with 58 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 quarterback hurries, 2 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles in 12 games with 11 starts[4][7]. He’s the kind of hybrid, downhill defender who shows up everywhere, and the appeal goes beyond the box score: he has a reputation for veteran steadiness, high activity, and disruptive instincts, with strong tackling volume dating back to 2024 and earlier seasons[4][7][8].
