NEEDSComing off its first Sun Belt Conference Championship in school history, Appalachian State is rolling under head coach Scott Satterfield. However, the Mountaineers, like any team, still have some gaping holes heading into 2017. With two seniors on the offensive line along with Jaquil Capel (WR), Barrett Burns (TE) and Marcus Cox (RB), the Apps had a ton of needs on offense. The Mountaineers added two wide receivers, one running back and three offensive lineman to counteract those losses. As for the top defense in the Sun Belt from last season, there is already plenty of depth at positions of need, but adding nine defensive players gives Satterfield something to look forward to in the future.EARLY ENROLLEESJust two players are already on the roster for App State with De’Andre Hicks and Jermaine McDaniel enrolling in January. Both are 3-star players with Hicks listed as a cornerback and wide and McDaniel currently rehabbing in hopes of helping the defensive line next season. Hicks is a speedy 5-foot-10, 170-pound DB from Punta Gorda, Fla. who ranks inside the top 200 in the state. McDaniel hails from Dillon, S.C. and had shoulder surgery last month and could be finished with his rehab work in Boone by the start of spring.OUTLOOKThe Mountaineers reign at the top of the Sun Belt shouldn’t be ending anytime soon, regardless of this year’s recruiting class. Satterfield still has the likes of Taylor Lamb at quarterback and leading rusher Jalin Moore at tailback to go along with three returning offensive linemen. The same goes for the defense, with six returning starters, including rising sophomore cornerback Clifton Duck. App State added depth at crucial spots despite not raking in any four- or five-star recruits. With the way Satterfield has developed players over the last several seasons Duck was a two-star signee there is nothing to worry about in Boone.RECRUIT LISTPlayer Pos. Height, Weight Hometown (School) D’Andre Hicks WR/DB 5-10, 170 Punta Gorda, Fla. (Charlotte) Jermaine McDaniel DE 6-3, 235 Dillon, S.C. (Dillon) Malik Williams ATH 5-11, 175 Chester, S.C. (Chester) Thomas Hennigan WR 6-3, 190 Greensboro, N.C. (Northwest Guilford) Daetrich Harrington RB 6-0, 180 Douglasville, Ga. (Alexander) Ryan Huff S 6-1, 190 Athens, Ga. (Cedar Shoals) Gage Blackston OG 6-5, 267 Savannah, Ga. (Benedictine Military) Peyton Derrick QB 6-2, 175 Conway, S.C. (Conway) Demetrius Taylor LB 6-2, 230 Miami, Fla. (Northwestern) Shaun Jolly CB 5-9, 161 Stone Mountain, Ga. (Stephenson) Zeke Brandle DE 6-5, 250 Forest City, N.C. (Chase) Noah Hannon OL 6-2, 265 Greer, S.C. (Greer) D’Marco Jackson RB 6-1, 205 Spartanburg, S.C. (Broome) Tim Frizzell RB 6-1, 213 Knoxville, Tenn. (Hardin Valley) De’Vonta Smith RB 5-11, 185 Brooksville, Fla. (Central) Joe Hartung OT 6-5, 250 Greenwood, S.C. (Greenwood) Jake Henry S 6-0, 170 Cantonment, Fla. (J.M. Tate Senior) Steven Jones CB 5-10, 185 Rockingham, N.C. (Richmond)
