It’s that time again; it’s football time in Boone, North Carolina. That can only mean one thing it’s time for the boys of Appalachian State to hit the field of battle to play for the entire state of North Carolina. Over the years, Appalachian State has made itself one of the premier College Football programs in the country. With Shawn Clark in year three for the Mountaineers, the sky is the limit in 2022. Heading into the 2022 season Appalachian State has one of the most experienced teams in the Sun Belt, with thirteen returning starters from last season ten win campaign.

On the offensive side of the ball, Appalachian State, on paper, has the most talented group of guys in the entire conference. Starting up front with their offensive line, Appalachian State returns all but one guy from last season. Anderson Hardy, Damion Daley, Isaiah Helms, and Cooper Hodges round out the talented Appalachian State offensive line unit. Elsewhere around the offensive side of the ball, the Mountaineers return the tangent of Henry Pearson at Tight-End, Nate Noel at Running-Back, and the man himself, Chase Brice, at the Quarterback position.

If Appalachian State gets to the next level this season, it will be on the backs of Chase Brice. Brice had a season last year where the transfer from Duke tossed 27 touchdowns last season. According to a few folks in the know, Brice has had himself an incredible off-season filled with vast improvements that Appalachian State fans will enjoy in the 2022 season.

Another name to watch out for this season on offense for Appalachian State is Nate Noel. Noel had a breakout season last year and is expected to lead the way at tailback for Appalachian State in the 2022 season. Like his counterpart in Chase Brice, Mountaineer fans will see Noel earn a lot of yards in the 2022 season and be one of the driving forces behind the high-octane Appalachian State offensive unit.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Mountaineers return six guys from 2021. Those six are Jordon Earle, Nick Hampton, Trey Cobb, Brendan Harrington, Steven Jones Jr, and Ryan Huff. Out of those, Trey Cobb and Nick Hampton will be the difference makers for the Mountaineers’ defensive unit in 2022. Combined, Cobb and Hampton had 144 tackles and have made strides in the off-season to do much better in the new season. Elsewhere around the defensive unit, Appalachian State fans can be excited about another pair of secondary players in Steven Jones Jr and Ryan Huff.

Overall, there’s a lot to be excited about if you’re an Appalachian State fan heading into the 2022 season. With two massive games against North Carolina and Texas A&M to open the season, the chance of a New Years’ Six Bowl Game is within the grasp of this booming program. Two wins to open their season, and the fever pitch surrounding the program will reach an all-time high as Head Coach Shawn Clark continues his work of turning Appalachian State into one of the elite programs in College Football.