By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — ‘Tis the season of annual optimism on every FBS-level campus in College Football Land. After an offseason of transfer portal openings and freshman recruiting commitments, rosters are now set, even if depth charts are still uncertain.

Whether speaking at a school-specific or conference-organized “Media Day,” players and coaches are enthusiastically optimistic about the fresh start a new season offers. They have a chance to win a conference championship. Some have loftier ambitions, like the expanded College Football Playoffs or even a national championship.

Truth is, however, college football has evolved as a topsy-turvy marketplace of massive roster turnover from one year to the next, creating a lot of questions about which guys fit and which ones don’t in each individual school’s game plans. Have they done enough in this still evolving marketplace to put a quality “product” on the field?

At Appalachian State, the normal questions are magnified by a whole new coaching regime — but the optimism and expectations are enhanced, too, because of the NFL and major college coaching pedigrees brought to Kidd Brewer Stadium — not just that of head coach Dowell Loggains, but his staff of coordinators and assistants, too.

They are not chasing NIL money. They are chasing opportunity.

According to numbers compiled by App State Athletics, Loggains and his staff combine for 60 years of NFL coaching experience and 142 years of college coaching experience, including several major college stops. It gives an App State football fan pause to see members of the Mountaineer staff with coaching stops that include the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots.

Read further and there are college names like Penn State, Arkansas, South Carolina, Clemson, Ole Miss, Maryland, Missouri, Texas, Washington, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech, among others.

Collectively, that is a rich coaching pedigree for a mid-major football staff, especially when you see the number of offensive coordinators and defensive coordinators along with position coaches. These are guys who have coached the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Marvin Harrison, Jameis Winston, Spencer Rattler and a host of other big names in the football world. Most of the coaches played college ball, some even played in the NFL.

More than ever, college football is a growing marketplace.

In this age of NIL and revenue sharing, a mid-major school like App State (without the deep pockets of an Alabama, Ohio State, USC, Michigan and the like) has to find other ways to compete. They can’t fill their rosters by buying talent, so they must look for other ways to put a talented team, their “product,” on the field. Part of App State’s effective strategy may well prove to be the opportunity to play under the supervision of coaches with extensive NFL and major college experience.

“Our recruiting has been pretty smooth,” said Loggains during his Media Day press conference, “because App State Football has a strong brand.”

Loggains applauded his staff’s efforts to recruit both through the transfer portal and incoming freshman commitments.

“I’m excited about the future,” he said. Later, he noted, “In recruiting, we don’t promise spots. We promise opportunity (to compete for a role)… In practices, we are trying to create as many reps as we can for every player so that our evaluation can be more accurate.”

By transferring to App State — beyond the opportunity for a great education — the appeal for a student athlete is the hope for more playing time, to show what they can do and put it on tape for evaluators to see. And then there’s the bonus: They are still playing at the FBS level. For those redshirt seniors with aspirations to play at the next level, the season ahead represents important opportunity.

Loggains confirmed as much when he said, “It’s guys looking for opportunities. They are not chasing NIL money or other things. They are simply asking, ‘Where can I go to get good tape? Where can I go to have an opportunity to advance my potential career in the National Football League? Where can I go to have a (realistic) chance to start, to play?’ For whatever reason, they are not happy with their current circumstance.”

More than ever, college football is a growing marketplace. The player-sourced demand is for opportunity and that is what Loggains and his staff are selling. Adding all of the NFL and major college coaching talent only serves to enhance the “product” being sold.

Dissecting the Transfer Roster

In reviewing the App State roster, we have divided the transfers into three categories. The potential “marquee” contributors include the highly regarded student athletes initially recruited to play at a Power 4 school, but who haven’t seen a lot of playing time in their years at the big name school either because of competition at the position, injury, or perceived scheme fit once they arrived.

A second group are those from Power 4 schools who transferred to App State in an earlier year and have chosen to continue playing for the Mountaineers and, more than likely, to earn their degree(s) from the school.

In the third group are the players transferring to App state and “moving up” from a smaller school to a higher level of competition, usually after having success at one or more of the junior college, NAIA, NCAA Division II or FCS levels. In some cases, they are making a same-level transfer, i.e. from another Sun Belt Conference member institution or another Group of Five conference school. Perhaps unhappy with their current circumstance, as Loggains put it, or maybe they just like what they heard is happening at The Rock.

App State Players Leaving a Power 4 Program to Ostensibly Get More Playing Time and Better Visibility for the Next Level (NFL, CFL, UFL, Arena)

• Davion Dozier, wide receiver, transferred to App State this year from Arkansas with three years of eligibility remaining. A 4-star prospect coming out of high school in Moody, Ala.
• Izayah Cummings, tight end, a 6-year redshirt senior. One season of eligibility after stops at Kentucky (2020-23) and Louisville (2024). A 6A Kentucky Football Coaches Association “Player of the Year” in high school.
• AJ Swann, quarterback, transfer to App State this year after playing for LSU in 2024. Started college career at Vanderbilt. A former 4-star recruit out of Cherokee HS in white, Ga.
• Emory Floyd, defensive back, transferred in this year from South Carolina (2022-24), with two seasons of eligibility. FAST: ran 100 meters in 10.86 and 200 meters at 21.33. Out of Hillgrove HS in Marietta, Ga., ranked as 44th best prospect in state and 35th-best safety in nation by 247 Sports.
• Rashod Dubinion, running back, senior transfer threes seasons at Arkansas. Highly rated RB coming out of Cedar Grove HS in Ellenwood, Ga., including a state championship as a senior. Told High Country Sports: “Since I was 5 years old, I have been a part of winning teams. I am here to be part of a winner.”
• Dylan Hasz, defensive back, junior transfer this year from Arkansas (2023-24) with two years of eligibility remaining. Consensus (247, ESPN, On3) 3-star prospect out of Bixby HS, Bixby, Okla.
• Brayshawn Littlejohn, linebacker, redshirt sophomore with three seasons of eligibility after transferring from Missouri. Helped Gaffney (S.C.) High School to undefeated record as a junior and named to 5A all-state team as a senior.
• Jackson Grier, wide receiver, transferring into App State as a redshirt sophomore from Boise State with three years of eligibility remaining. From Fort Lauderdale, Fla., helped St. Thomas Aquinas HS to third straight 7A state title in 2021.
• JJ Kohl, quarterback, transfer from Iowa State (2023-24) with three years of eligibility remaining. At 6-7, 245, a 4-star rated prospect out of Ankeny, Iowa. Ranked a “top 10” QB by ESPN and Rivals. No. 12 QB prospect in the nation by 247 Sports Composite.
• Khalifa Keith, running back, redshirt sophomore transferring in this year from Tennessee. Highly rated RB out of Parker HS in Birmingham, Ala.
• Ja’Den McBurrows, defensive back, redshirt senior from Michigan (2021-24), with one year of eligibility remaining. Coming out of St. Thomas Aquinas HS in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., rated the No. 36 cornerback prospect in the nation.
• Ronnie Porter, linebacker, redshirt senior transfer from South Carolina (2021-24), one season of eligibility remaining. The Richland County “Player of the Year” his senior year in high school at Heathwood Hall Episcopal, in Columbia, S.C., playing linebacker and running back.
• Cam Fleming, defensive back, redshirt sophomore transfer from Virginia Tech (2023-24), with three seasons of eligibility remaining. In high school, first team All-State as a junior and senior playing for Trinity Episcopal, North Chesterfield, Va. Ranked by ESPN as No. 52 cornerback prospect in nation and No. 12 prospect in Virginia.
• Brooks Yurachek, linebacker, redshirt sophomore transfer this year from Arkansas (2024) and, previously, Wake Forest (2023). Three seasons of eligibility remaining. In high school, earned all-state honors playing for Fayetteville (Ark.) HS. Oldest brother joined App State’s staff as offensive assistant in December 2024.
• Ian Ratliff, punter, redshirt sophomore from University of Texas. Played high school ball for Atascocita HS in Humble, Texas.
• Rondo Porter, defensive lineman, redshirt junior from South Carolina (2024) with two seasons of eligibility remaining. Earlier stints at Lenoir-Rhyne (2022) and Newberry (2023). Played high school ball for Heathwood Hall Episcopal (Columbia, S.C.), where he was a 2-time recipient of SCISA “Defensive Player of the Year” award.
• Jackson Briley, defensive lineman, redshirt freshman transfer from Wake Forest. In high school for Wake Forest HS (N.C.), selected for the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl and four-time academic all-conference selection.
• Moritz Schmoranzer, offensive lineman, redshirt freshman transfer from Pitt (2024) with four seasons of eligibility remaining. Originally from Langenfeld, Germany, played high school ball for North Cross, Va. and rated one of state’s top 25 overall prospects by all recruiting outlets (ESPN, On3, 247Sports and Rivals).
• Trent Ramsey, offensive lineman, redshirt junior transfer from Cal (after earning his undergraduate degree) with two seasons of eligibility remaining. Out of Carrollwood Day (Palm Harbor, Fla.), rated a 4-star prospect by Rivals and ESPN coming out of high school.
• Lance Williams, offensive lineman, redshirt sophomore transfer this year from Virginia Tech, with three seasons of eligibility remaining. For Alcoa (Tenn.) High School, helped team to four straight TSSAA 3A state championships, including as team captain and team MVP as senior.

Transfers into App State Before This Year

• Shawn Collins, defensive lineman, came from Rutgers where he played for three seasons before transferring to App State for the 2023 season. 6th year redshirt senior.
• Myles Farmer, defensive back, transferred into App State for the 2024 season (injury-shortened) after starting at Nebraska (2019-22), then to Syracuse (2023). One year of eligibility as redshirt senior. Highly ranked, nationally, coming out of Westlake HS in Atlanta.
• William Fowles, wide receiver, transferred to App State in 2024 after freshman year at Louisville. A 4-star prospect coming out of Dade Christian HS in Hialeah, Fla.
• Elijah Mc-Cantos, defensive back, redshirt junior transfer to App State from Illinois (2022-23) before the 2024 season. Appeared in all 11 games for the Mountaineers in 2024, starting two. Coming out of Edison HS in Little Haiti, Fla., ranked by Rivals as the No. 45 cornerback in the nation.
• Thomas Davis, defensive lineman, played for App State the last two years after two seasons at Miami. Consensus (247, ESPN, Rivals) 3-star prospect out of Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga.
• Jackson Moore, kicker, played for App State in 2024 after transferring from Kentucky. Redshirt sophomore. In high school at Marvin Ridge (Waxhaw, N.C.), named first team all-state by HighSchoolOT.com.
• Nick Campbell, defensive lineman, played for App State in 2024 after transferring from NC State (2022-23). Two seasons of eligibility remaining. Ranked No. 49 defensive lineman nationally by 247Sports out of Lake Minneola HS in Clermont, Fla.
• Griffin Scroggs, offensive lineman, transferred to App State for 2023 and 2024 seasons after true freshman year in 2022 with Georgia’s national championship team. Played high school ball at Grayson (Ga.). Named to 247Sports All-America team and helped team win 7A state championship in 2020.
• Luke Burgess, offensive lineman, three seasons of eligibility remaining after transferring to App State before the 2024 season as a redshirt freshman from Louisville. Played high school ball at New Palestine, Ind., named first team all-state.

Transfers to App State after Playing in Smaller or other Mid-Major Schools

• Jaelin Willis, linebacker, senior, transfer this year to App State after starring at an NAIA school, Keiser (2021-23) and then transferring to a NCAA Division II school in Lenoir-Rhyne (2024). Played high school ball for Bishop Verot in Fort Myers, Fla., earning first team all-area honors and the team’s defensive MVP three years in a row.
• Joseph Bakhole, defensive lineman, redshirt senior who played with Chattanooga (2024, ULM (2023) and Coffeyville Community College (2020-22). High school all-state and all conference performer at Charlotte’s Myers Park.
• Sam Mbake, wide receiver, redshirt junior transfer this year from Kilgore College, although played at Arkansas in 2022 and 2023. Rated No. 1 wide receiver recruit for 2025 at the junior college level by 247Sports. Played high school ball for North Cobb HS, in Atlanta and was No. 25 overall prospect in the state of Georgia.
• Dylan Manuel, defensive lineman, sophomore transfer this year to App State from Charleston Southern. Senior year in high school, helped lead Stockbridge HS (Georgia) to state championship appearance.
• Billy Wiles, quarterback, transferred to App State in 2024 from Southern Miss (2023), but was part of Clemson’s program in 2021 and 2022. In high school, led Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Va.) to state title in spring of 2021 (season moved from fall 2020 to spring 2021 because of COVID-19).
• Jaden Barnes, wide receiver, junior transfer from Austin Peay with two seasons of eligibility remaining. Helped Langston Hughes HS (McDonough, Ga.) to 6A state championship. Also a member of Langston Hughes’ state champion 4×200-meter relay team and silver medalist in 4×100.
• Cristian Conyer, defensive back, junior transfer this year from Coastal Carolina (2024) with two seasons of eligibility remaining, after first year at Tennessee (2023). In high school (South Warren, Bowling Green, Ky.), 5A state championship as a junior. Consensus “top 6” player in state of Kentucky by all recruiting services. Decorated sprinter in track.
• Ahmad Robinson, defensive back, redshirt junior transfer from Prairie View A&M (2024), redshirted at Arkansas State as true freshman in 2022. In high school, named “Super 30” top prospect by St. Louis Post-Dispatch, after competing with East St. Louis HS.
• Gabe Simpkins, long snapper, redshirt sophomore from UNC-Pembroke with three years of eligibility remaining. Was at App State for 2024, but did not play. Named all-conference in high school at Leesville Road HS (Raleigh, N.C.).
• Aiden Benton, defensive lineman, redshirt sophomore transfer to App State this year after redshirt freshman year at (junior college) Georgia Military College (2024). Redshirted at West Georgia in 2023. In high school (Lovejoy HS, Hampton, Ga.), earned 6A all-state team honors (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia HS Football Daily, and Recruit Georgia).
• Joshua Acord, tight end, redshirt junior transferring this year from Southern Utah (2022-24). All state selection in high school (Northridge HS, North Salt Lake, Utah).
• Jared Gibble, tight end, redshirt senior transfer from Campbell to App State in 2024. Played high school ball at Oak Grove HS (Winston-Salem). Ranked as No. 65 overall player in North Carolina by 247Sports.
• Shamar Jackson, offensive lineman, redshirt senior transferring in from New Mexico State (2023-24) after two seasons at Iowa Western Community College (2021-22). Iowa Western was JC national champs in 2022. Played tight end, defensive end, outside linebacker at Loris HS (Loris, S.C.).
• Michael Marotta, offensive lineman, redshirt senior, transferred to App State for 2024 season from Valdosta State, where he started a center with a team that reached NCAA Division II quarterfinals. High school ball at Nature Coast Tech, Spring Hill, Fla., named a North Florida All-Star.
• Will Flowers, offensive lineman, redshirt senior transfer who played four seasons at East Tennessee State (2020-23) before transferring to Valdosta State (2024). At NCAA Division II level, named first team All-American from AP, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp and D2 Conference Commissioners Association in 2024. Played football and baseball for LaGrange HS, LaGrange, Ga.
• Tyriq Poindexter, offensive lineman, redshirt senior from VMI (2021-24). One season of eligibility remaining. All SoCon first team honors in 2024. Played offensive and defensive lines at William Fleming HS in Roanoke, Va.
• Malik Berry, defensive lineman, senior transfer this year from Pittsburgh State (2023-24), after earlier playing at Butler Community College (2020-22). Played high school ball in Lawrence, Kansas-based Lawrence Free State HS, where he was a two-time 5A all state performer.
• Saint Farrior, defensive lineman, as redshirt sophomore, has three years of eligibility remaining after member of Hampton University team in 2023-24. Played high school ball for Hillside HS in Durham.
• Kevin Abrams-Verwayne, defensive lineman, transferred to App State for 2022 season after playing for Garden City Community College (2021). For App State, has appeared in 20 games with seven starts. Graduated from Marietta HS, Marietta, Ga.