PokéTops: WKU Football as Pokémon Characters

What a time to be alive.

WKU Football ended their 2015 campaign as #24 in the nation, and Pokémon Go has taken over the world.

With the impending season just around the corner, I thought what fun it would be to combine our beloved Hilltoppers with the Pokémon craze.

*DISCLAIMER: In no way, shape, or form do I claim to be Pokémon Master (see what I did there?). The Pokémon chosen to represent each athlete are based on the athlete's appearance, ability, personality, and other known information. Pokémon chosen include original and new characters. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Pokémon World, WKU, or any agency of the U.S. government.

Alright, I had to throw in that disclaimer before someone in a Pokémon club thew a fit that I chose Charizard over Mewtwo to represent one of the players. Anyway...

COACHING STAFF

Jeff Brohm as Pokémon Master

Some call him Jeff Brohm, others call him Pokémon Master. Brohm takes in his young, raw recruits, then trains and "evolves" them into lethal weapons on the field.

Nick Holt as Gengar

The resemblance is uncanny.

OFFENSE

Forrest Lamp as Mega Aggron

Forrest, you know who I am, and I am sorry. I had to do it. I could not resist.

Mega Aggron and Forrest are sheer brute. During Forrest’s freshman and redshirt freshman year, he was Lairon. From his redshirt sophomore to redshirt junior year, Forrest was Aggron. I anticipate Forrest to quickly evolve into Mega Aggron. Like Mega Aggron protecting a large mountain from trespassers, Forrest protects the quarterback from the opponent’s defensive line.

Ace Wales as Pikachu

Like Pikachu, Ace has become a fan-favorite. He is the “lightning” in the Thunder/Lightning duo that is D’Andre Ferby/Ace. The scatback tendencies of Ace resemble that of Pikachu. Ace will build up his energy so he may emit an electric release that powers him through any open space he can find.

D'Andre Ferby as Raichu

When exposed to the Thunder Stone, Ace/Pikachu evolves into an aggressive D’Andre Ferby/Raichu. The more energy Ferby stores, the stronger and more destructive he becomes: scorching the path behind him and absolutely dismantling any linebacker that dares to stand in his way.

Taywan Taylor as Arcanine

It only seems fitting that a wide retriever…I mean receiver…would be represented by a Pokémon of the canine classification. When Taywan gracefully leaps to catch a touchdown pass under double-coverage, it is like poetry in motion. And much like a dog’s loyalty, Taywan could have entered the 2016 NFL Draft, but he remained at WKU to help his team fight for another C-USA Championship.

Nicholas Norris as Jolteon

Do not be fooled by Norris'/Jolteon's slender legs and small "paws." Norris is a jolt of lightening who becomes a big play threat. In the blink of an eye, Norris is already in the endzone on back-to-back possessions (3rd quarter, Miami Beach Bowl).

The Quarterbacks as Rufflets

For the sake of this article, let us say that Brandon Doughty was Braviary. As Braviary, Doughty played smart and aggressive. He fought through an injury and his scars garnered respect from his peers. And like a Braviary soars, so did Doughty's 111 touchdown passes.

With Doughty's departure, the quarterbacks set to compete for the starting role are like Rufflets: aggressive and challenges opponents who are more powerful and larger than itself. They see this challenge as a way to build their strength and evolve into a great quarterback/Braviary.

DEFENSE

Branden Leston as Primeape

Like Primeape, Leston plays aggressively and with no fear. Look at him the wrong way, and he will sacrifice his entire body to make any play. Once he channels his anger and finds his rhythm, Leston will break up pass after pass until the opponent's confidence is shattered.

TJ McCollum as Shapedo

Like a torpedo, when McCollum locks on target, there is no stopping him. This description of playing style is apparent as McCollum led the team in tackles (106). While Sharpedo shoots through water like a jet, McCollum shoots through a gap, latches onto the "prey," and takes them down. If Sharpedo is known as the Bully of the Sea, McCollum is Bully of the Field.

Marcus Ward as Alakazam

According to Pokémon's "Pokédex," Alakazam is one of the most intelligent Pokémon characters with an IQ of over 5,000. Ward is the epitome of a model student athlete: excelling on and off the field. He is a student in WKU's Accounting JUMP program, where he will earn both an undergraduate and master's degree in May 2017. In 2015, Ward received All-Academic honors in C-USA and C-USA's Commissioner's Honor Roll. On the field, as a safety, Ward is like the quarterback of the secondary: using his knowledge to lead.

Tanner Reeves as Tauros

If a Tauros is not Tanner's spirit animal, then I do not know what is...

Aside from the obvious similarities in photos, Tauros and Tanner are two rowdy characters with a lot of stamina. Once they take charge, they do not stop until they hit something. With great speed and a solid attack, Tauros/Tanner will completely wipe out his foe.

Drew Davis as Machoke

Despite his obvious strength and power, Machoke is actually a really nice guy. Likewise, Drew - a strong linebacker with a nose for the ball - is willing to help the team in any way he can whether on defense or special teams. A friend to all, you can always count on Drew.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Nacarius Fant/Kylen Towner as Rapidash

The same way Rapidash's mane sparkles when he runs full speed, these two shine when they hit a seam at full tilt. They blow past defenders leaving would-be tacklers laying on the ground, gasping for air. Using their play making abilities, Fant/Towner can change the entire pace of the game in a single possession.

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While the Pokémon Go "virtual reality" game is entertaining, nothing beats watching WKU Football in person. Be there, Thursday, September 1, 2016 at 7pm as the Hilltoppers take on the Rice Owl.

Go Tops!