The Mountaineers entered the offseason after a 5-8 campaign and have since undergone one of the most biggest roster changes in recent program history. App State lists 66 newcomers for the 2026 season, including 35 additions from NCAA programs and 29 December signees.
With the season approaching, here is a position-by-position look at what has changed and what remains to be settled. Any discussion of potential starters is based on publicly available roster information and outside preseason coverage, not firsthand reporting from App State's camp.
Quarterback: A completely new competition
AJ Swann, who led App State in passing last season, is no longer with the program. Backup JJ Kohl also departed, leaving the Mountaineers with an entirely different quarterback room.
The newcomers include Malachi Singleton, Henry Hasselbeck and Tommy Ulatowski, while Gregory Fee and Bronzden Chaffin are also listed at the position.
Running back: Familiar faces and competition
App State has returning backs alongside new additions, giving the position a mixture of players already familiar with the program and newcomers seeking a role.
The bigger question may be how the room is used. With Tyler Kelley taking over as running backs coach, the Mountaineers enter the season with a new position coach and a new offensive staff dynamic around the group.
Wide receiver and tight end: New targets for a new quarterback
The current roster includes returning and incoming options such as Chris Lofton, Dazmin James, Sam Mbake, Ryan Morrison, Sam Pickett III and Alexander Sanchez, while several other newcomers add depth to the position.
At tight end, Darrin Fugitt, Luke Douglas, Dillon Galloway and Gavin Barber give the Mountaineers a mix of experience and younger depth.
Offensive line: Size, depth and unanswered questions
App State's current roster includes experienced players and newcomers across the line, including transfers and members of the December signing class. The group features Greydon Grimes and a collection of younger linemen such as Tre Glover, Jahlon Harris, Ben Jones and Nick Kashubara.
The line will be one of the most important units to settle before the season begins. A new quarterback and changing skill-position group can make continuity up front even more valuable.
Defensive line: A major area of change
The roster includes newcomers Ki'Shawn Harvey and Ricky Lolohea alongside returning and younger players such as Nick Campbell, Aaron Clark, Caleb Sandstrom and others.
App State also has a new defensive line coach in Antonio James, making this a position where changes have occurred both on the field and in the meeting room.
The defensive front will be asked to provide answers in both the running game and the pass rush. With new personnel arriving, finding the right combinations could be an early-season storyline.
Linebacker: Experience remains, but depth has changed
The linebacker group includes a mix of familiar players and newcomers.
Kevin Henderson, Randy Marion III, Alex Mitchell, Colton Phares, Carson Sloan, Keshawn Thomas and Brooks Yurachek are among the players listed on the current roster, giving the position several experienced options.
That depth could make linebacker one of the more competitive groups on the defense. But as with much of the roster, previous experience does not necessarily settle the 2026 depth chart.
Secondary: The deepest influx of newcomers
No area received more transfer additions than the secondary. App State added 10 defensive backs through the transfer portal, reflecting the scale of the change in the back end of the defense.
The current roster includes newcomers and returning players such as Juan Berchal, Khalil Conley, Cam Fleming, Cary Grant, Jakob Gude, Devin Henderson and JaCari Henderson.
Special teams: New personnel and a new coordinator
Tyler Zielenske enters his first season as App State's special teams coordinator, giving the Mountaineers new leadership in that area.
As with other units, roster turnover has created competition for specialist and coverage roles. Those decisions can receive less preseason attention than quarterback or the offensive line, but they will become immediately visible once the season begins.
The bigger picture
App State's 2026 roster cannot be understood simply by looking for returning starters.
The Mountaineers have brought in 66 newcomers, and the competition created by that turnover touches virtually every position group. At quarterback, there is a new competition. The secondary has been heavily reinforced through the portal. The offensive and defensive lines are working with new faces and new combinations.
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