Three Hilltoppers on bowl watchlist
Published 12:07 pm Tuesday, July 28, 2026
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WKU defensive back Jaylen Lewis (7) celebrates his interception in the end zone during an NCAA football game between Western Kentucky University and the University of Nevada, Reno on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Bowling Green, Ky. WKU beat Nevada 31-16. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
(JAMES KENNEY / AP)
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Western Kentucky redshirt junior offensive lineman Karsten Upchurch (74) celebrates after Western Kentucky redshirt senior running back George Hart III (9) scores during WKU’s 31-16 home win over Nevada on Saturday, Sept. 20.
(JACK DOBBS / Daily News)
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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wide receiver K.D. Hutchinson (2) makes a one-handed catch during the Hilltoppers 55-6 win over North Alabama on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Houchens Industries L.T. Smith Stadium
In Bowling Green, Ky. (Caleb Lowndes / Daily News)
(Caleb Lowndes)
Western Kentucky’s football program had three players included on the 2027 Shriners Children’s 1000 Watchlist, the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl announced.
Wide receiver K.D. Hutchinson, offensive lineman Karsten Upchurch and safety Jaylen Lewis represented the Hilltoppers on the list, which recognizes the top 1,000 all-star game eligible players in college football.
Each year, hundreds of the top collegiate stars are either taken in the NFL draft or sign as free agents, and the East-West Bowl provides these NFL hopefuls with an excellent opportunity to showcase their skills while supporting the life-changing mission of Shriners Children’s. The 2027 Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Feb. 4, 2027.
Lewis transferred to WKU for the 2025 season. He started all 13 games at safety for the Hilltoppers during the 2025 season and finished tied for second on the team in total tackles with 74. Lewis recorded 3.5 tackles for loss, a team-high three interceptions, five pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He finished with multiple tackles in every game, and recorded a season-high 15 in WKU’s game at LSU on Nov. 22, with 10 solo tackles and a sack in that game. Lewis finished the season ranked 24th in Conference USA in tackles with 5.69 per game. Lewis was named the CUSA Defensive Player of the Week following the Week 0 win over Sam Houston, and he finished the year as an All-CUSA Honorable Mention selection according to the league’s head coaches. He also received 2025 Phil Steele CUSA All-Conference Fourth Team honors.
Upchurch joined the Hilltoppers in 2025 as a transfer from Mississippi State. He appeared in all 13 games, with starts in the final 10 games, during his first season with the Hilltoppers. All 10 of Upchurch’s starts came at right tackle. Upchurch helped the Hilltoppers to the best scoring offense in CUSA at 29.54 points per game and the New Orleans Bowl title.
Hutchinson returns as the most experienced Hilltopper, having appeared in 42 games over the past four seasons at receiver while also serving as a punt returner. He has recorded 136 snaps as WKU’s punt returner over the past four seasons, with 20 last year, 57 in 2024 and 58 in 2023. Hutchinson has been one of the most explosive Hilltoppers in recent years, and has recorded 116 receptions for 1,243 yards and eight touchdowns, as well as 161 yards and three scores on 24 rushing attempts. Hutchinson appeared in every game for the Hilltoppers during the 2025 season with starts in seven games. He led the team in receptions with 66, while finishing second on the team in receiving yards with 618 and receiving touchdowns with three. He also had 13 rushing attempts for 88 yards and a pair of scores. His five total touchdowns were fourth-most on the team. Hutchinson finished third one the team in all-purpose yards with 704. He recorded multiple receptions in every game during the 2025 season, with a season-high nine in the Oct. 3 win at Delaware. In 2025, Hutchinson finished fourth in Conference USA in receptions per game with 5.08, and his 5.38 receptions per game against conference opponents was second-most in the league. Hutchinson was named 2025 All-CUSA Honorable Mention by the league’s head coaches, and he received CUSA All-Conference Third Team honors from Phil Steele.
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WKU is scheduled to open the 2026 season at Nevada on Sept. 5. Kickoff at Mackay Stadium is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
