Scouting report: Appalachian State

Location: Boone, NC. ASU plays in the Southern Conference.

2010 Record: 10-3, 7-1 in Southern Conference. 14 starters return from that team, including All-Americans in QB DeAndre Presley and WR Brian Quick.

Offense: The Mountaineers normally run a spread option. Darryl Slater on the Appalachian state Mountaineers option offense.

QB: Senior DeAndre Presley replaced Armanti Edwards last year. Like Edwards, his legs are at least as important as his arm. Presley passed for over 2,600 yards with 21 TDs and 7 INTs. He added over 1,000 yards and 13 TDs on the ground, along with a 6.4 average yards per carry. He's only the 4th QB in FCS history to total 2,000 passing/1,000 rushing yards in a season. He's not afraid of big moments; he rushed for 264 yards in a FCS tournament game vs. Western Illinois. The Tampa, FL native won't be mistaken for Logan Thomas coming in at 5-11, 180.

The back up at QB is Jamal Jackson, a 6-3, 205 lb. Junior. Waiting in the wings is Khalik Barnes, a highly-touted freshman who many are comparing to Armanti Edwards.

Running Backs:Travaris Cadet (6' 1" 210lbs) lead the RBs last year with 671 yards and 6 TDs. He's backed up by Cedric Baker and JC transfer Steven Miller.  But the main runner in this offense is often the QB.

TE/WR: The aptly-named Brian Quick (47 catches, 844 yds, 9 TDs) is on pace to become Appalachian State's all-time leading receiver. At 6' 5", he's a big target. Also starting at WR are Sophomores Jamill Lott, Tony Washington and Andrew Peackock. Senior TE Ben Jorden isn't just a blocker; he had 27 catches for 306 yards and 6 TDs last year.

O-Line: Last year, the Mountaineers generated 431 yards of offense a game. But they've lost 3 offensive lineman from the group that made that possible. One of those losses, Daniel Kilgore, was a 5th-round for the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. They'll start redshirt freshmen at LG and LT.  From Left to Right, the line weighs in at 280, 285, 280, 270, 285.

Defense: Appalachian State switched form a 4-3 to a 3-4 front this offseason. Darryl has more on the switch, as does the Winston-Salem Journal's Tommy Bowman. The Hokies prepared this week to see either formation.

D-Line: Senior Dan Wylie (6'1, 305 lbs) leads the defensive line from the Tackle spot. The ends look to be Ronald Blair (6'4" 260). Tackle Gordy Witte (6" 6" 315 is a key contributor as well. 

LB: Lanston Tanyi (6' 2" 250) moves from the defensive line to strongside linebacker. He had 7.5 sacks last year. John Rizor (6'2" 245) is at the other outside LB spot, with Juniors Jeremy Kimbrough (5' 11" 238) and Brandon Grier (6' 2" 230) fill the middle. They'll miss D.J. Smith, who took his 525 career tackles and went to the Green Bay Packers in Rd. 6 of the NFL draft.

Secondary:  Mark LeGree filled the SS spot last year, but he was drafted in the 5th round for the Seattle Seahawks. Troy Sanders (6-0, 205) moves over from CB to fill that spot. Sophomore FS Patrick Blalock (6-0, 200) is starting for the first time, but he's no rookie (30 tackles last year). Both corners played extensively last year. Left corner 5' 11 Ed Gainey is a two-time All-Southern Conference player on one side. Demetrius McCray (6-0, 185) mans the right side.

Kicking game: Sam Martin (6' 1" 205 lb Jr.) will handle both kicking and the punting. RB Travaris Cadet handles the return duties.

Coach: Jerry Moore. He's had a great record at ASU. So good, in fact, that the program is strongly considering moving up a division.

Moore began his career in the state of Texas, then moved to Nebraska under Tom Osborn, where he worked as WRs coach and Offensive Coordinator. In his first two coaching jobs (North Texas and Texas Tech) he posting a 27-48-2 record. He began coaching Appalachian State in 1989.

Now in his 23rd year with the team, the Baylor grad has compiled a 226-127-2 record with the Mountaineers. 

Moore has also won 3 consecutive FCS (formerly Division I-A) Championships and 6 straight Southern Conference titles. ASU and Virginia Tech are the only Division I schools with 6 straight 10-win seasons. Moore has lead the Mountaineers to winning records in 21 of 22 seasons. Since 2005, ASU has lost only lost 4 games in their conference.

Famous ASU Mountaineers: One of the most recognizable may be Miss Teen South Carolina 2007, Caitlin Upton. If the name doesn't ring a bell, maybe you remember the video. Other notable Mountaineers include:

UNC Women's Basketball coach Jennifer Alley
UNC board of governors chairman J. Bradley Wilson
Franklin Graham, evangelist son of evangelist Billy Graham
Charles Frazier, author of Cold Mountain
Belus Smawley, one of the first basketball players to use the jump shot
Steven Dubner, co-author of Freakonomics
Alvin Gentry head coach of the Phoenix Suns