BOONE, N.C. — The new Alliance of American Football officially begins its first season on Saturday, Feb. 9, and three Appalachian State Football alums are on AAF rosters.
Malachi Jones is a receiver for the Atlanta Legends, Kennan Gilchrist is a linebacker for the San Antonio Commanders and Beau Nunn is an offensive lineman for the San Diego Fleet.
The 52-player rosters were finalized Wednesday.
Jones played for the Chicago Bears during the 2018 preseason, after he was named the Arena Football League's Rookie of the Year thanks to a season in which he led the league in receiving yards (1,156 on 77 catches), receiving yards per game (96.3) and yards per catch (15.0). The Legends, who will be coached by Kevin Coyle, have a roster that includes quarterbacks Aaron Murray (Georgia) and Matt Simms (Tennessee).
Gilchrist completed his App State career in 2016 and was on the Houston Texans' practice squad during each of the last two seasons, after he spent time with the Dallas Cowboys. Mike Riley, a former NFL and Power Five conference head coach, is the head coach for the Commanders.
Nunn finished his App State career in 2017 before spending time with the Detroit Lions. San Diego will be coached by former NFL head coach Mike Martz and has 14 players who have been active in the NFL.
Gilchrist's San Antonio team faces Nunn's San Diego squad on Saturday, while Jones and Atlanta take on Orlando. Both games start at 8 p.m. ET.
