Category: College

BOONE, N.C. – After recording the program’s winningest season since 2018, App State head volleyball coach Sarah Rumely Noble has signed a contract extension that runs through the 2026 season, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Friday. The extension was approved by Chancellor Sheri Everts and the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees.

Fast Turnaround

“Sarah made a dramatic impact on the trajectory of App State Volleyball in her first season,” Gillin said. “Winning 11 of their last 12 matches helped turn around the team’s fortunes in one year as they set their sights on Sun Belt championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Sarah is an energetic and innovative leader, and we look forward to the future of App State Volleyball.”

Rumely Noble led App State to a terrific finish in her first season at the helm last fall. The Mountaineers won 11 of their final 12 regular-season conference matches that helped vault the team to an 18-10 overall record and 11-5 mark in conference play, while posting a 9-2 record in Boone. It was an 11-win improvement overall from the previous season, including an eight-win improvement in Sun Belt Conference matches.

As a player, rumely noble was a two-time All-American and four-time all-sec selection as a setter at kentucky.

“I love being the leader of App State Volleyball,” Rumely Noble said. “Thank you to the Board of Trustees, Chancellor Everts, Doug Gillin and Erika Cheung for continuing to believe in me and for investing in volleyball at a high level. We are building something special here, and I’m excited for the future. There is no place I’d rather be.”

Under Rumely Noble’s tutelage, Maya Winterhoff garnered Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year honors, becoming the first Mountaineer to earn that distinction. The Charlottesville, Va., native ranked 38th nationally in hitting percentage (.376) and third among Sun Belt players.

Senior outside hitter McCall Denny was also named a second-team All-Sun Belt selection, finishing the season with a team-high 329 kills to go along with 248 digs, while playing in all 109 sets for the Mountaineers. Four Mountaineers also received CSC Academic All-District recognition.

The Mountaineers concluded the 2022 season ranking second in the Sun Belt in opponent hitting percentage (.187) and third in service aces per set (1.71).

Experienced as a Player

A two-time All-American and four-time All-SEC selection as a setter at Kentucky, Rumely Noble was named the ninth head coach in App State volleyball history when she was hired in January 2022. She most recently spent five seasons at LSU, serving as the Tigers’ associate head coach in 2021, helping the squad pull in three nationally ranked recruiting classes over her final four seasons in Baton Rouge.

App State opens the 2023 volleyball season by hosting the Mountaineer Classic at the Holmes Center, August 25-26. Season tickets are on sale now.

CLICK HERE: 2023 SCHEDULE

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By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — For the first three innings of the June 16 Coastal Plain League game between Boone and Forest City, the Bigfoots kept pace with the Owls at Smith Stadium. Boone even led at the end of the third frame, 3-2. But when their bats fell largely silent and the visitors’ offensive production came alive, the Owls emerged the victors, 6-3.

To be sure, it was a better contested encounter for the Boone nine vs. the division-leading Forest City than the 11-6 blowout on June 2 or the 16-8 demolition on June 8, but the third time proved not the proverbial charm, even with better pitching.

“We couldn’t hit the ball,” said Boone’s front office executive Bob Wilson after the game. “That has to get better.”

The game started promising enough for the home side. They gave up an early run in the top of the first inning but rebounded to score two of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Carlos Amezquita opened by beating out a grounder to second base for a single, stole second, then scored on a single toward right field by Jalen Vasquez to knot the game at 1-1. Vasquez would later score on a ground ball fielder’s choice to bring home the Bigfoots’ second run of the inning.

The Owls tied the game with another run in the top of the third inning, but the Bigfoots matched it to regain their one-run lead.

Boone rapped out seven hits on the night, but five of them were singles in the first three innings. The fact they were scoreless the rest of the way means the Owls’ hurlers pitched a 2-hit shutout over the final six innings.

Meanwhile, Forest City scored two runs in the 4th inning and another pair in the 6th to expand their winning margin.

The Owls have become the Bigfoots’ season nemesis. Boone sports a 4-5 record on the still young season, with three of those losses coming to Forest City. Against other West Division opponents, the Bigfoots have at times been dominant. With a 9-3 league mark, the Owls have played three more games than Boone and lead the division.

Forest City’s winning pitcher was Austin Hunley (2-0), with the Owls save credited to Colton Huntt (0-0, 3 saves). The Bigfoots’ starting pitcher, Walker Case (0-1), picked up the loss.

KEY PERFORMANCES

• BIG – Carlos Amezquita: 2-3, 2 runs scored, 1 walk
• BIG – Tyson Bass: 0-3, 1 RBI, 1 Sac Fly
• BIG – Jalen Vasquez: 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, 3 stolen bases
• FOR – Wade Kelly: 1-4, 3 runs scored, 1 RBI, 2B, 1 walk, 2 stolen bases
• FOR – G. Allen: 2-2, 4 RBIs, 1 walk, 2 stolen bases, 2 Sac Flies
• FOR – Derek Wood: 2-4, 1 run scored

BONUS PHOTOS

 

 

By Katherine Jamtgaard for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. – App State Head Cross Country Coach and Associate Track and Field Coach, Michael Curcio, has left the cross country and track and field programs to take a position as the head cross country and track & field coach at the University of the South, familiarly known as Sewanee.

“On behalf of the entire staff, we want to thank Coach Curcio for everything he has done for App State Track and Field and Cross Country over three-plus decades,” said Damion McLean, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. “He has impacted hundreds of student-athletes and left a sizable legacy in App State Athletics and Appalachian State University. He has helped mentor some of the best teams and athletes in App State history while promoting a high level of competitive excellence and academic integrity. We wish him the best.”

Curcio, a 1987 App State graduate who was on four conference championship teams during his time as a Mountaineer athlete, led App State to 13 conference championships (11 Southern Conference, two Sun Belt) in men’s cross country and four league titles (two SoCon, two Sun Belt) in women’s cross country after joining the staff in 1995. He mentored 167 cross country all-conference performers and was named conference cross country coach of the year 14 times.

Curcio’s overall record in men’s and women’s cross country meets was 510-59, including a 179-20 mark against Sun Belt teams.

While coaching the distance runners in track & field, Curcio coached 72 athletes (59 SoCon, 13 Sun Belt) to indoor and outdoor individual champion performances and 273 all-conference indoor and outdoor performances. He also coached two athletes to indoor track & field MVP awards and four outdoor track & field MVP awards, while mentoring four NCAA All-Americans.

In the classroom, Curcio’s athletes garnered 19 USTFCCCA All-Academic awards. The women’s cross country team earned All-Academic status for 23 consecutive seasons, while the men’s cross country team earned the status in 23 of his 28 seasons.

App State track and field squads won 38 conference titles during Curcio’s coaching tenure.

In addition to his athletes’ competitive success, Curcio will long be remembered for his personal impact on their lives. He has taught countless student-athletes about unselfishness, professionalism and accountability. He has given sound advice, helped many athletes and alumni navigate challenges, and demonstrated how to be a leader with a compassionate heart. The foundation Curcio helped build, and his ethos “Family. School. Team.” will forever be a part of App State Athletics’ story.

The Mountaineers will immediately begin a national search for the future leadership of App State cross country and distance running.

Special Report from the Sun Belt Conference. NEW ORLEANS — Appalachian State University Chancellor Dr. Sheri Everts was named President of the Sun Belt Conference at the close of the league’s spring CEO meeting in Atlanta.

Effective July 1, Everts’ duties during her two-year team as the Sun Belt Conference President also include serving as the chair of the conference’s Executive Committee.

Joining Everts on the Executive Committee—and in the Sun Belt presidential rotation—are Georgia Southern University President Dr. Kyle Marrero as Vice President and The University of Southern Mississippi President Dr. Joseph S. Paul as Treasurer.

“I want to thank Dr. Joseph Savoie of Louisiana for his numerous years of service to the Sun Belt Conference as an Executive Committee member and Dr. Kelly Damphousse of Texas State for his service over the past two years as Sun Belt Conference President,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill. “Each of our CEOs has played a pivotal role in the Sun Belt’s rise. I look forward to working closely with Dr. Sheri Everts of App State, and the rest of the incoming Executive Committee, as we continue to elevate the Sun Belt Conference and its 14 member institutions.”

University of Louisiana at Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie, who most recently served as the Sun Belt Conference Past President, concludes his service on the conference’s Executive Committee.

Texas State University President Dr. Kelly Damphousse will transition into the role of Past President for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years. Dr. Damphousse—the Sun Belt Conference President for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic years—continues to serve as the Sun Belt Conference’s representative on the NCAA Board of Directors.

By Bret Strelow for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. – Brittany Dabule, who has helped orchestrate record-setting team and individual performances during her first seven seasons leading college golf programs, has been named the head coach of App State Women’s Golf, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Tuesday.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brittany to the App State family,” Gillin said. “Her goals align with our core values of academic integrity, competitive excellence, social responsibility and a world-class experience. Brittany is proven in her ability to help young women succeed and grow on and off the course. We are excited about the future of App State Women’s Golf.”

App State will hold a press conference Friday morning on the fifth floor of the Mark E. Ricks Athletics Complex to introduce Dabule (pronounced duh-BULE). The press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m., and the event is open to members of the public who would like to attend, with lunch provided afterward.

Dabule spent the previous four seasons in Farmville, Va., as the head coach at Longwood University, which competes in the Big South Conference, after serving as the head coach at the University of South Carolina-Beaufort for three seasons from 2017-19.

“I am grateful and excited to be the next head coach of App State Women’s Golf,” Dabule said. “I want to thank Doug Gillin, Spencer Bridges, Katie Pate, Erika Cheung and everyone involved in the search committee for trusting me with the future of the program. Together, we will build an environment that allows our student-athletes to excel both on and off the golf course. I am eager to get started and develop the team into an elite program within the Sun Belt Conference.”

Along with an individual setting Longwood’s program record for lowest 54-hole scoring total under Dabule’s watch, the Lancers posted both their lowest single-round team score and best team finish at the Big South Conference Championship tournament in the last decade.

Longwood placed fifth at the Big South tournament in April to cap a 2022-23 season in which it recorded four top-five team finishes. A year earlier, the Lancers had the Big South Freshman of the Year.

During her three years at USC Beaufort, the Sand Sharks produced six All-America performances and made three consecutive NAIA national championship appearances, including back-to-back top-four national finishes in 2017 and 2018.

A native of Hilton Head Island, S.C., Dabule enjoyed a standout playing career at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and as a professional on The Cactus Tour in Arizona. She earned All-Big South honors at Winthrop in 2006 and was a finalist for the NCAA’s “Freshman Impact” Award during a career in which she helped the Eagles achieve four straight top-three finishes in the Big South.

After earning a sports management degree from Winthrop in 2010, she broke into the coaching ranks as the volunteer varsity girls’ golf coach at Hilton Head High School, co-founded the Sea Pines Montessori School’s “Hooked On Golf” program and served as an assistant golf professional at the famed Harbour Town Golf Links.

From 2012-15, Dabule served as an assistant golf professional at Mirabel Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., during the winters and the Glenwild Golf Club & Spa in Park City, Utah, during the summers. She qualified for The Cactus Tour in 2015 and continued playing through November 2016.

In addition to coaching a pair of multi-time All-Americans at USC Beaufort from 2017-19, Dabule led the Sand Sharks to a top-10 national finish in the coaches poll in each of her three years. They placed third nationally in 2017 and fourth nationally in 2018.

By Joey Jones and Bret Strelow for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. — Record-setting, title-winning App State quarterback Armanti Edwards is included on the 2024 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in his first eligible year.

The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame on Monday announced a candidate list that includes 78 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and 101 players and 32 coaches from the divisional ranks, which include FCS standouts.

The ballot was emailed Monday to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers, whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which will deliberate and select the class. The announcement of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2024.

Edwards, who wasn’t eligible for inclusion until he had officially retired from professional football, played for App State from 2006-09 and spent 12 years in pro football after being a third-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Edwards became the first Division I player (FBS or FCS) with more than 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in his career.

During his four years in Boone, Edwards was a four-time first-team All-American, the first two-time FCS National Player of the Year (Walter Payton Award) and a two-time national champion who went 42-7 as a starter, including the historic 34-32 upset of No. 5 Michigan to open App State’s 2007 championship season. The Mountaineers went 28-2 in conference games with three unbeaten runs to league titles in his four seasons.

Edwards amassed 14,753 yards of total offense in his career (10,392 passing with 4,361 rushing) and 139 total touchdowns (74 passing with 65 rushing) while helping lead App State to a 48-9 record from 2006-09 with back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.

Edwards became the first Division I player (FBS or FCS) with more than 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in his career and currently has only one other player (Colin Kaepernick of Nevada) as company on that list.

Edwards remains an FCS record holder for career rushing TDs by a quarterback and most seasons with 3,000-plus yards of total offense (four seasons, tied for first with Steve McNair) while ranking No. 2 in career rushing yards by a QB and No. 4 in career total offense.

His four first-team All-America honors from 2006-09 include first-team recognition from the Associated Press in 2008 and 2009.

Edwards posted single-game highs of 433 passing yards (still a school record) and 313 rushing yards (in a 2007 FCS semifinal win to currently rank No. 2 in single-game rushing yards by an FCS quarterback and No. 2 by any App State player, broken in 2020). In the upset of Michigan, he accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and 289 yards of total offense (227 passing, 62 rushing).

App State currently has three players/head coaches who have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame: linebacker Dexter Coakley (2011 induction), head coach Jerry Moore (2014 induction) and head coach Mack Brown (2018 induction). Fisher DeBerry, who was an App State assistant before becoming a successful college head coach, was inducted in 2011.

By Bret Strelow for App State Sports. GENEVA, Ohio — Thanks to a strong showing from Ethan Oakley, App State Wrestling and the Boone RTC produced a U23 Freestyle national finalist for the second straight year.

Oakley won his first five matches in the 61 kg bracket Sunday to reach a best-of-three championship round against Julian Chlebove from Arizona State. Chlebove broke a 4-4 tie in a 6-4 win before wrapping up the title with an 8-3 victory.

Oakley’s run to the final occurred one year after Jon Jon Millner took second in the 70 kg bracket at the U23 Freestyle World Team Trials.

A seventh-place finish Saturday in the U20 Freestyle World Team Trials from Carson Floyd, who posted a 2-2 record after becoming an All-American in late April by placing eighth at the US Open Championships, means App State has had five USA Wrestling All-Americans in the last two years.

Oakley, Chad Bellis (four wins at 57 kg), Ike Byers (six straight consolation wins at 65 kg), Tommy Askey (six wins at 70 kg) and Jacob Sartorio (four wins at 125 kg) were all among the final 16 wrestlers left in their U23 Freestyle brackets, which featured a double-elimination format. Riley Edwards also made it to Day 2 before dropping a matchup that involved two Boone RTC entries.

Oakley reached the final with an 11-7 victory against second-seeded Dominick Serrano and advanced to the semifinal round by rallying for a 7-5 win against Kyle Burwick, thanks to a tying point with 11 seconds left and two tiebreaking points with two seconds left. Oakley opened the event by scoring two tiebreaking points with eight seconds left in an 8-6 win against Hunter Adrian and then had decisive wins by scores of 16-6 and 12-4.

By beating Oakley, Chlebove makes the USA University World Team and will compete in October at the U23 World Championships in Finland.

By Bobby Neal for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. — App State head men’s basketball coach Dustin Kerns has made an addition to his coaching staff for the upcoming 2023-24 season with the hiring of Tanner Smith.

“Tanner Smith is the full package,” Kerns said. “He is a great fit for App State, a great fit for our staff and a great fit for our players. Tanner has a bright mind and will help our program in many ways. Not only is he a tireless recruiter and great at player development, but most importantly, he is a great person who will develop great relationships with our players. He and his wife, Julia, will have a positive impact in the Boone community.”

Smith comes to App State after a two-year stint at Stephen F. Austin, where he also served as an assistant coach. During his first season with the Lumberjacks, they were the regular season champions in the Western Atlantic Conference.

Tanner Smith is the full package, a great fit for app state, a great fit for our staff and a great fit for our players.

In the 2022-23 season, Smith helped lead Stephen F. Austin to finish in the top 25 in the nation in turnovers forced (18.1, 3rd), bench points (28.2, 8th), 3-point percentage (38.2, 14th) and steals (8.9, 15th). He primarily worked with the guards and wings while also serving as the coordinator of defense for the Lumberjacks.

“I’m humbled and honored to be joining the staff at App State,” Smith said. “Coach Kerns and his staff have done a fantastic job in Boone over the last four years. I’m excited to be a part of such a special culture with special young men. My wife and I look forward to investing our time, energy and effort into the community, university and our players.”

A former standout player at Clemson, Smith finished his illustrious career with 986 points, 459 rebounds, 320 assists and 159 steals while helping Clemson earn three NCAA Tournament bids. He was the first player in Clemson history and the only ACC player in 2012 to average at least 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Following his career at Clemson, Smith played two seasons overseas, first with Dutch club Landstede Basketball and then with MHP Risen Ludwigsburg in Germany. He joined the coaching ranks as a director of basketball operations with the Charlotte 49ers, eventually earning a promotion to assistant coach in 2017. From there, he transitioned to Mississippi State, serving as director of operations while the Bulldogs earned their first NCAA Tournament bid in 10 seasons.

Smith then joined the staff at Kennesaw State and helped the Owls land a top-50 recruiting class in the nation in 2020 before heading to Stephen F. Austin for the following two seasons. That same recruiting class helped lead Kennesaw State to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, its first-ever ASUN regular season championship, and its first-ever ASUN tournament championship this past season.

In addition to coaching, Smith founded the non-profit organization Tanner’s Totes, which provides care packages and support for kids battling cancer. He was recognized as a Community Hero by the Atlanta Braves in 2017 for his work with Tanner’s Totes.
Smith graduated from Clemson with a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2012. He and his wife were married on May 4, 2018, in Atlanta.

By Katherine Jamtgaard for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. — App State women’s basketball coach Angel Elderkin announced the hiring of Evan Turkish as the program’s assistant coach on Thursday.

“We are excited to add Evan to our coaching staff,” Elderkin said. “It was obvious in our first call that he has not only a great basketball mind but also the passion and commitment to work hard and grow on and off the court with our student athletes. His recent success with James Madison University and experience in the Sun Belt will be a tremendous asset to our program. We look forward to welcoming him and his wife Meghan to our App State Family.”

“My wife and I are excited to become a part of the Boone community,” said Turkish. “It will be a privilege to be able to work with Coach Elderkin, and I believe this team has a chance to be special next season.”

Turkish joins the Mountaineers after serving as the director of recruiting and player development at James Madison for the 2022-23 campaign. Turkish helped lead the Dukes to their first Sun Belt Conference title, first NCAA bid since 2016, and worked with Kiki Jefferson to help her become the Sun Belt Player of the Year. The Dukes went 26-8 (13-5 SBC) in their first season in the league. The team also ranked within the top-15 nationally in defensive rebounds per game, rebounds per game, field goal percentage defense, and rebound margin.

Prior to his time at JMU, Turkish was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Nicholls State for the 2021-22 season. While with the Colonels, Turkish mentored Chelsea Cain and Chyna Allen, who both ranked within the top-five in the Southland Conference in points per game with 15.3 (ranked second) and 14.0 (ranked fourth), respectively. In his role as recruiting coordinator, he helped sign the top-rated transfer in school history from the Mountain West Conference.

Before breaking into collegiate coaching, Turkish was an analyst at Entergy, a Fortune 500 integrated energy company in New Orleans, La. He was also the founder and owner of Sports Trainer Index, a platform to analyze collegiate athletic programs’ recruiting needs in addition to matching high school student-athletes with college coaches. Turkish was an assistant coach at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, La. and for the Boo Williams AAU team in Newport News, Va.

Turkish also played professionally for the Freedom Professional League in Phoenix, AZ in 2013.

The Harrisonburg, Va. native was a member of the College of Charleston men’s basketball program for one season under head coach Bobby Cremins, who also coached at App State during his distinguished career. Turkish earned a bachelor of arts in management in 2013 while playing baseball at Loyola of New Orleans. He earned a master of science in analytics at American University in 2018.

By Joey Jones and Bret Stelow, App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. — This week’s start to summer school coincides with the arrival of several App State Football newcomers, including four FBS-level transfers who are already on campus.

Outside linebacker Thomas Davis (Miami), offensive lineman Thornton Gentry (NC State), safety EJ Jackson (Marshall) and offensive lineman Griffin Scroggs (Georgia) have officially signed to join the Mountaineers in advance of the 2023 season. Officially, to date, that increases the current total to 15 incoming transfers with college experience, including 12 with Division I experience. This list does not include all commitments for the 2023 season.

Davis recorded one sack last season as a redshirt freshman at Miami, and Gentry was also a redshirt freshman during a 2022 season in which he made one game appearance for NC State.

Jackson used three seasons of eligibility and totaled 100 tackles over 42 games at Marshall, with 14 stops coming in his last two games against the Mountaineers, while Scroggs didn’t exhaust any eligibility during his time in Athens, Ga.

This week, App State also welcomes eight high school recruits who were December signees: linebacker Jayden Bethea, tight end Max Drag, safety Zyeir Gamble, linebacker Ryan McKinnis, safety Colton Phares, cornerback DJ Porter, offensive lineman Cayden Sweatt and receiver Grant Tucker. They are part of a 15-man class of scholarship newcomers from the high school level, and the online roster also includes the additions of several walk-ons who are enrolled.

TRANSFER BIOS:

Thomas Davis
Outside Linebacker
6-2, 220
Valdosta, Ga. (Lowndes/Miami)
Prior to App State: Member of Miami’s program for two seasons, as he redshirted in 2021 and appeared in one game as a redshirt freshman in 2022 … Contributed to a sack in the 2022 opener against Bethune-Cookman … Listed as a defensive end in Miami’s 4-3 scheme and projects as a “Dog” pass-rushing linebacker in App State’s 3-4 scheme, with an ability to also contribute at defensive end.

High School: A consensus three-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … Ranked the No. 27 player at position and No. 42 player in Georgia by 247sports … Rated the No. 44 outside linebacker and No. 39 player in Georgia by ESPN … Listed as the No. 52 player in Georgia by Rivals … Had 94 tackles, 29.0 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks over his final two prep seasons … Initially chose Miami over offers from Arkansas, Cincinnati, Florida State, Indiana, Mississippi State and South Carolina, among others.

Thornton Gentry
Offensive Lineman
6-4, 310
Chapin, S.C. (Chapin/NC State)
Prior to App State: Member of NC State’s program for two seasons, having redshirted in 2021 and appeared in one game (against Charleston Southern) as an offensive guard in 2022 … Early enrollee in spring of 2021 at NC State.

High School: Played offensive tackle at Chapin High School for his father, Justin … Named to the 2020 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas after helping lead his team to a 6-2 record … Four-year starter finished prep career with 115 pancake blocks … Named to the SCFCA 5-A all-state team and was the Region 5-A Lineman of the Year … Also named the Chapin Lineman of the Year and won the Eddie Muldrow Leadership Award … Served as a team captain at Chapin … As a junior, named to the SCFCA 5-A all-state team and the Region 5-A all-region team … Named to the National Honors Society in both 2019 and 2020 … Ranked as the No. 9 center nationally and the No. 8 player in the state of South Carolina (highest among offensive linemen) by 247Sports.com.

EJ Jackson
Safety
6-2, 190
Belle Glade, Fla. (Glades Central/Marshall)
Prior to App State: Appeared in 42 games and totaled 100 tackles over four seasons (including a COVID one that didn’t count against his eligibility) at Marshall from 2019-22 … Started the final five games of the 2022 regular season, including the final four at a safety spot (with the first one at a stud/nickel position) … In 12 games as a safety in 2022, broke up two passes and made 33 tackles … Had 56 stops and 1.5 TFLs over 13 games in 2021, when he started games at free safety (twice) and free safety (twice) … Recovered and returned blocked PAT 85 yards for two Marshall points at James Madison in 2022 …. Had a season-high six stops against App State in 2022 after recording eight against the Mountaineers in 2021 … Career high of 12 stops in the 2021 opener against Navy and nine more against UAB later that season.

High School: Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … Played free safety and slot back for Glades Central … Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds … Played outside linebacker as a sophomore at Glades Central, racking up 74 tackles with 10.5 TFLs and nine sacks … Moved to the secondary as a junior and picked off six passes.

Griffin Scroggs
Offensive Lineman
6-3, 315
Grayson, Ga. (Grayson/Georgia)
Prior to App State: Redshirted as a true freshman member of Georgia’s national championship team during the 2022 season … Early enrollee sat out that season’s spring practice to recover from an injury … Played center during Georgia’s 2023 spring game.

High School: Invited to the 2022 All-American Bowl … Three-star prospect from 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Coached by Adam Carter at Grayson High … No. 5 center prospect from ESPN, No. 42 offensive guard prospect from Rivals, No. 62 interior lineman prospect from 247Sports and No. 69 offensive tackle prospect from PrepStar Magazine … Helped lead Grayson to a 10-4 record and GHSA Class 7A semifinals … Named to 247Sports.com All-America Team … Helped lead Rams to 2020 GHSA Class 7A state championship … Named to 2020 MaxPreps All-State Second Team … Played first two seasons at Buford High.