Wayne State University Athletics

Josh Kulka is the lone returning letterwinner at the quarterback position.

Football 7/21/2023 8:38:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

2023 Warrior Football Position Previews - Quarterbacks

Listen to Coach DeMasi's thoughts on his group.

DETROIT -- Over the next five weeks, we will be previewing each position on the 2023 Wayne State University football team with each position coach highlighting their respective units. This segment is on the quarterbacks with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Russell DeMasi.

Last fall, WSU had just one starting quarterback as Josh Kulka (Clinton Township, Mich. / Chippewa Valley) started all 10 contests. He started games two and three during the 2021 campaign, before suffering a season-ending injury at Missouri S&T. In 2022, Kulka completed 131-of-241 passes (54.36%) for 1,544 yards and three touchdowns with eight interceptions. He also had four rushing touchdowns.

In addition to Kulka, the quarterback room will have two returnees, two incoming freshmen and a transfer.

Redshirt freshman Cole Canter (Newark, Ohio / Newark Catholic) redshirted a season ago. As a senior for the Green Wave in 2021, Canter passed for 2,300 yards and 32 touchdowns along with seven rushing touchdowns. Graduate student Eli McLean (Clarkston, Mich. / Pontiac Notre Dame Prep) joined the Warriors in August of 2022, after graduating from Michigan State. McLean dressed for all six home games last year, but did not see any playing time.

Freshman Justin Cox (Akron, Ohio / Akron East Community Learning Center) set the AECLC school records for passing yards in a game, a single-season and a career, along with touchdowns responsible for in a career. Classmate Cane Mack (Portage, Mich. / Portage Northern) completed 116-of-209 passes for a school record 2,286 yards as a senior, along with a PNHS record 23 touchdown passes.

Jayden Waddell (Union Mills, N.C. / Rutherfordton Spindale Central / Davidson College) played the last four years for the Wildcats. He led the 2022 squad in passing yards (889), completions (55), and touchdown passes (7). Waddell rushed for 494 yards, which ranked third on the team, and three scores.

Other Position Previews
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Players Mentioned

#9 Cole Canter: QB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

#12 Josh Kulka: QB; 6' 2"; Senior

#13 Eli McLean: QB; 6' 1"; Graduate Student

#16 Justin Cox: QB; 5' 11"; Freshman

#18 Cane Mack: QB; 6' 3"; Freshman

#11 Jayden Waddell: QB; 6' 0"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#9 Cole Canter
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman
: QB

#12 Josh Kulka
: 6' 2"; Senior
: QB

#13 Eli McLean
: 6' 1"; Graduate Student
: QB

#16 Justin Cox
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: QB

#18 Cane Mack
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: QB

#11 Jayden Waddell
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student
: QB