WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – If there's one word to describe West Liberty University's 2025 running backs room, it's loaded. Head coach Roger Waialae doesn't mince words — he calls it the most talented group on the roster and says the challenge this fall won't be finding capable ball carriers, but finding enough touches for all of them.
"Some really good players won't get as many carries as they'd like," Waialae said. "But that's a good problem to have."
Leading the charge is junior Hunter Patterson, a 2024 All-MEC Second Team selection who emerged as one of the league's most versatile offensive weapons. Patterson appeared in 10 games last season, pacing the Hilltoppers with 858 rushing yards on 138 carries and nine touchdowns. He also hauled in 36 receptions for 417 yards and four scores, showing big-play ability in both the run and pass game.
Patterson's explosiveness isn't limited to the football field. On the track, he was the 2025 Mountain East Conference champion in both the 60-meter and 100-meter dash, and earned All-America honors in the 60-meter dash. That elite speed translated into several highlight-reel moments last fall, including a 210-yard, four-touchdown rushing performance at Fairmont State on Nov. 9, an 81-yard touchdown reception against Frostburg State on Sept. 14, and an 80-yard touchdown run in that same game. Waialae praised Patterson's all-around skill set, noting, "He's not one-dimensional — he can run, catch, and block at a high level."
Redshirt freshman Rashid Sesay, a transfer from Ohio State, had an excellent spring. Waialae said the staff tried hard to land the redshirt freshman out of high school, when he starred at West Muskingum (Ohio) and was a finalist for the state's prestigious Mr. Football Award in 2023. Sesay set a Muskingum Valley League record with 42 touchdowns in the regular season. His senior-year stat line included 1,060 rushing yards and 27 TDs, 454 receiving yards and eight TDs, plus two touchdown passes and two kickoff returns for scores. He graduated holding school records for career rushing touchdowns (40), career receiving touchdowns (19), and total touchdowns (63). As a junior, Sesay posted over 1,000 total yards, including 807 rushing yards on 120 carries, 270 receiving yards, and 12 total scores. He had five 100-yard rushing games that season, with a long run of 51 yards.
Another intriguing returner is Jaedon Alston, a redshirt freshman who missed last season due to injury. The highly decorated prep back earned All-State honors in South Carolina (2019 & 2020) and All-Conference honors in Maryland (2021 & 2022), was a member of the 2022 Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 Team, and competed internationally twice with the U.S. National Team.
The depth doesn't stop there. Transfer Precious Boyejo (Central Methodist University) adds more collegiate experience to the mix, while true freshman Anthony May (Deltona, Fla.) brings fresh talent and speed to the backfield.
With proven playmakers, dynamic newcomers, and impressive depth across the board, the Hilltoppers' running backs are set to be a focal point of the 2025 offense.
