The App State Mountaineers return a bevy of expertise on the offensive aspect of the ball in 2022. With Chase Brice returning, in addition to their high three working backs from a yr in the past and 4 of 5 beginning offensive linemen, it’s protected to say this offense might lose little or no by way of firepower. But, their high returning gamers occur to fall on the defensive aspect of the ball as the varsity document holder for sacks in a season and considered one of college football‘s high cornerbacks headline the group.
For each convention’s high returning gamers: AAC | ACC | B1G | Big 12 | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt
Prime 10 returning gamers at App State
The countdown to the common season continues right here throughout Professional Soccer Community’s Prime 10 Returning Gamers collection. We’ve crossed the nation to the Solar Belt and are firmly entrenching ourselves throughout the southeastern portion of the nation with our look into every FBS crew. Wanting solely at gamers returning to their similar crew from a season in the past — we’ll cope with transfers later –, we’re counting down all the highest 10 gamers returning to motion on each crew. Listed below are the highest returners from App State.
10) Daetrich Harrington, RB
With 12 profession speeding touchdowns and over 1,000 yards on the bottom, Daetrich Harrington returns to the sector but once more for the Mountaineers. He’ll add a terrific complementary piece to the two-headed monster outlined beneath. Harrington is a superb downhill menace who has averaged properly over 5.0 yards per carry in his profession.
9) Anderson Hardy and Cooper Hodges, OT
The duo of Anderson Hardy and Cooper Hodges return to present the Mountaineers one of many higher bookend tandems within the Group of 5. Hardy and Hodges mix to maintain their quarterback clear most of the time and add loads of worth within the run recreation. Hardy is a mauler from the left whereas Hodges locks down the best. They’re simply a part of the dynamic returning 4 starters on the offensive line.
8) Damion Daley, G
Additionally returning to the beginning offensive line lineup from a yr in the past is Damion Daley. A robust left guard, Daley is at his greatest when he’s paving the best way for the speeding assault. No slouch in cross safety both, Daley can do all of it and anchors the App State offensive line that ought to be one of many extra skilled models within the nation.
7) Isaiah Helms, G
Discovering his groove a yr in the past, Isaiah Helms was dominant from the best guard spot. Holding clear pockets was the secret for him, however he was even perhaps higher when he received transferring within the run recreation. Coming throughout the formation brilliantly, Helms is a grasp of his craft with energy and nifty footwork.
6) Nate Noel, RB
Speeding for 1,126 yards a season in the past, Nate Noel pairs as an incredible complement within the backfield for App State. Noel averaged 5.66 yards per carry as he showcased a capability to make tacklers miss in a cellphone sales space. App State’s heavy zone speeding assault permits Noel to get the ball with room to work, and he makes use of his terrific footwork to navigate the site visitors for all yardage out there.
5) Camerun Peoples, RB
App State’s speeding landing chief from a season in the past, Camerun Peoples is again as soon as once more to pair with Noel as one of many high working again duos within the nation. Peoples averaged 5.58 yards per carry, ripping off a number of huge good points at occasions along with his potential to make defenders miss each within the open discipline and in tight areas. If he’s not making defenders miss along with his elusiveness, Peoples isn’t any stranger to bowling defenders over for an additional few yards.
4) Chase Brice, QB
The one-season chief in passing yards at App State is again for yet one more season as Chase Brice will lead the Mountaineers’ offense as soon as once more. Brice threw for 3,337 yards a yr in the past, his first with this system. He’s proven that he can hit each degree of the sector and understands coverages higher than most on the Group of 5 degree. Brice, a former Clemson and Duke quarterback, discovered a brand new house in Boone and has flourished along with his potential to distribute the ball by his progressions very properly.
3) Trey Cobb, LB
One of many higher three-down linebackers within the nation, Trey Cobb has began 26 straight video games for the Mountaineers (34 in his profession). He’s an extremely dependable linebacker in the course of the sector for App State, as he does all the pieces at a near-elite degree. He’ll run the alley with drive, wrapping up each ball provider with terrific method.
Cobb additionally patrols the center of the sector in beneath protection extraordinarily properly. His potential to stymie opposing passing assaults in protection is his bread and butter. He additionally is aware of what to do with the ball in his arms, as evidenced by his 100-yard pick-six in opposition to South Alabama in 2021.
2) Nick Hampton, EDGE
Crashing the sting with a vengeance, Nick Hampton led the best way for App State final yr with 11 sacks, setting a brand new faculty document. He’s again to show extra of his uncommon mix of energy and velocity from his off-ball place. Hampton was considered one of simply 5 gamers throughout the nation final season to register no less than 10 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and over 65 complete tackles. His potential to push the pocket is second solely to his potential to complete, as he has 19.5 profession sacks in simply three seasons.
1) Steven Jones Jr., CB
Ending the season tied for fourth nationally with 5 interceptions, Steven Jones Jr. enters the 2022 season as one of many high cornerbacks within the nation. Jones returned three of them for touchdowns and registered a team-high eight cross breakups. It’s protected to say that Jones is aware of a factor or two about sticky protection in addition to he does sticking his nostril into run protection. He’s a stalwart defensive again with nice athleticism and higher vary who not often, if ever, will get crushed.
Honorable point out gamers returning to App State in 2022
- Ronald Clarke, S
- Christian Wells, WR
- Jordon Earle, DT
- Brendan Harrington, LB
- Jalen McLeod, EDGE
- Nick Ross, CB