2022 (Freshman): Saw action in all 11 of the team’s games with one start at wide receiver … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) with his first collegiate start against VMI (Oct. 1) … Finished the season with five catches for 36 yards, making his first reception against Presbyterian (Sept. 16) and catching a career-best two passes for 26 yards against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Returned 14 punts for 124 total yards, averaging 8.9 yards per return with a long of 39 yards in the win over VMI (Oct. 1) … Dropped back on kickoff returns the final four games of the season, finishing with 10 returns for 258 yards and a team-best 25.8 yard per return average … Named to the 2022 Southern Conference All-Freshman team on special teams by the league’s head coaches … Hauled in six receptions for 67 yards including a 50-yard strike from QB Bennett Judy to pull the White team to within seven, 21-14, six possessions into WCU’s annual Spring Game … Received a partial scholarship from head coach Kerwin Bell following the conclusion of WCU’s annual spring drills.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-time, first-team all-conference receiver at Cuthbertson High for head coach Trey Kavanaugh ... Recorded 154 career catches for 1,784 yards and seven touchdowns over three seasons as a prep, adding two kickoff returns for TDs ... Also rushed 162 times for 909 career yards with 17 touchdowns ... Posted a conference-record 17 receptions in a game as a junior ... Started his prep career at quarterback on the junior varsity team in 2018 ... Also played lacrosse as a prep, scoring 49 goals as a senior.

Personal: Full name is Armond Giuseppe Colombo, but prefers to go by "AJ" ... Is the son of Juliann and Thomas Colombo ... Was born in Boston, Mass. ... Has three older sisters - Gia, CeCe, and Gracie ... His father was a Hall of Fame quarterback at Villanova.

AJ Colombo