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The running back position for Appalachian State may be their most star studded position on the roster. How many times do you lose your all time leading rusher in program history just to have him replaced with the Sun Belt offensive player of the year from 2016 in Jalin Moore. Moore rushed for 1400 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016 as a sophomore. Appalachian looks to be 4 deep at the running back spot in 2017 so lets take a look.
Junior, Jalin Moore
As we touched on above Jalin returns for his junior campaign as Sun Belt offensive player of the year with 1400 yards and 10 touchdowns a season ago. Moore is an explosive speed back from local 2A power house Shelby High School and can make an instant game changing play at any point and time. Its been known that Jalin has been limited in Spring Practice due to the near 250 snap count from last season, due to the Marcus Cox injury, so other guys are receiving extra carries this spring. Its safe to say without any doubt that Moore will be RB-1 on the depth chart.
Senior, Terrance Upshaw
Terrance Upshaw is a name the App faithful have not heard called since the 2015 season. Upshaw was declared academically ineligible in 2016, which made App thinner at the RB position. During the 2015 season Upshaw ran for 442 yards and 4 touchdowns as the 3rd RB on the roster, behind Marcus Cox and Jalin Moore. Upshaw is a strong power back who has some speed which will set him up nicely as a one-two combo punch with Moore in 2017. It looks solid that Terrance will be RB-2 for the Apps in 2017.
Junior, Josh Boyd
The 3rd spot in 2017 is where things get cloudy for Appalachian because there is no clear cut option. We start with JR. RB Josh Boyd who is coming off an injury in 2016 after a 233 all purpose yard season in 2015 seeing mixed time at RB and as a kick returner on special teams. Boyd was a redshirt freshman in 2014. The experience Boyd has could give him a leg up for the 3rd spot on the depth chart for 2017 depending on his injury recovery.
Freshman, Marcus Williams Jr
Marcus Williams Jr is the new man on campus for Appalachian State. Marcus is entering his 2nd year in Boone but was a redshirt for 2016. Marcus is a North Carolina product as he hails from Southwest Edgecomb High School in Rocky Mount. He was a 3 star prospect as a senior and ran for over 2300 yards and 36 touchdowns in his final high school season in 2015. Coaches at Appalachian have talked about how impressed they have been with Williams in practice this spring and last season. His lower body is good in the eyes of ASU RB coach Stu Holt as he also stated he has a good change of direction. If Williams is able to become more versed in the offense I find it hard not to see him grabbing that 3rd Spot on the chart, due to how long it might take for Boyd to be completely healthy.