BOONE, N.C. — App State Football and head coach
Dowell Loggains continued to build the 2026 roster by signing a record-breaking class of 29 recruits this week during the early signing period that ran from Wednesday through Friday.
The first full signing class for Loggains is the highest-rated class in App State history, the top-rated 2026 class in the Sun Belt and also the highest-ranked class in Sun Belt history via 247Sports, which currently has the Mountaineers with a national ranking of 56th.
App State's class ranks No. 2 among Group of Six conference members (behind only Boise State) and is higher than 14 programs from Power Four conferences.
"I'm fired up and so excited about this class," said Loggains, who was hired as App State's head coach on Dec. 7, 2024, with Sunday marking the one-year anniversary. "A lot of hard work going into it. It felt like yesterday that we showed up to get going with this recruiting class. It's the lifeblood of a college football program. To sign the class that we've been able to sign, I'm ecstatic about it."
Breaking down this week's signees, there are 23 high school seniors, five junior college players and one Division II college player. Loggains estimated that 85 percent of them were team captains.
By position, App State has signed 10 offensive linemen, four edge defenders, three defensive linemen, three tight ends, three receivers, two linebackers, two safeties, one quarterback and one cornerback.
There are eight signees from South Carolina, seven from Georgia, six from North Carolina, four from Florida, three from Arkansas and one from Tennessee.
App State received the signed paperwork from tight end
Jamel Howse, a four-star prospect with a top-175 overall ranking in the Class of 2026, at 7:06 a.m. on Wednesday. By 12:15 p.m. that day, 27 of the signees had submitted their official paperwork, and two more joined the class in exciting fashion Friday via an announcement ceremony involving brothers
Jordan Harris (edge defender) and
Jahlon Harris (offensive lineman) from their home state of Arkansas.
"I can't wait to get these guys on campus, and most of them are mid-year kids, so they'll be here in a few weeks," Loggains said this week. "We won some huge recruiting battles against some really good teams, and this is how you continue to build things the right way — get great players."
CLASS OF 2026 SIGNEES
Sawyer Arnold — EDGE (6-4, 220; Charleston, S.C.; Oceanside Collegiate Academy)
Kamauri Austin — WR (6-4, 205; Bryant, Ark.; Bryant)
Gavin Barber — TE (6-3, 230; Mooresville, N.C.; Mooresville)
Syncere Berry — CB (6-2, 170; Ellenwood, Ga.; Westlake)
Keaton Braddock — EDGE (6-5, 210; Lamar, S.C.; Louisburg College)
Nate Branch — WR (5-9, 175; Hopkins, S.C.; Itawamba CC)
Kamron Burris — OL (6-5, 300; Dunwoody, Ga.; Anderson University)
Bronzden Chaffin — QB (6-4, 235; Baxter, Tenn.; Upperman)
Scottland Dover — OL (6-5, 305; Gaffney, S.C.; Gaffney)
Chris Doyle — DL (6-2, 285; Bluffton, S.C.; Bluffton)
Eisa Evans — OL (6-6, 270; Winston-Salem, N.C.; Reagan)
Tre Glover — OL (6-4, 295; Warner Robins, Ga.; Warner Robins)
Jahlon Harris — OL (6-6, 325; Maumelle, Ark.; Maumelle)
Jordan Harris — EDGE (6-6, 225; Maumelle, Ark.; Maumelle)
Jamel Howse — TE (6-4, 240; Newberry, S.C.; Newberry)
Ben Jones — OL (6-3, 295; Orlando, Fla.; Edgewater)
Xavier Joseph — EDGE (6-2, 240; Covington, Ga.; Eastside)
Bryant "BJ" Junius — LB (6-0, 200; Hollywood, Fla.; Chaminade-Madonna)
Nick Kashubara — OL (6-4, 285; Greensboro, N.C.; Grimsley)
Manny Lewis — DL (6-2, 255; Waxhaw, N.C.; Marvin Ridge)
Michael McClenton — LB (6-0, 225; Orlando, Fla.; Edgewater)
Dorrian Medley — SAF (6-3, 170; Hickory, N.C.; Hickory)
Caden Muskus — OL (6-5, 270; Chapin, S.C.; Chapin)
Kabran Paul — WR (5-10, 165; Tallahassee, Fla.; Lincoln)
Jarvis Potts — OL (6-4, 310; Cornelius, N.C.; Hough)
Jayden Thomas — OL (6-4, 305; Thomson, Ga.; Georgia Military College)
Christian Waring — DL (6-3, 250; Spartanburg, S.C.; Dorman)
Micah Williams — SAF (6-0, 200; Savannah, Ga.; Benedictine Military)
Brice Williamson — TE (6-3, 240; Hartwell, Ga.; Prince Avenue Christian)
INDIVIDUAL BIOS (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Sawyer Arnold — EDGE
6-4, 220
Charleston, S.C. (Oceanside Collegiate Academy)
High School: Has totaled 33 tackles during his senior year at Oceanside Collegiate Academy, adding 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss for a 12-2 team that has reached the state title game … Recorded a six-tackle, two-sack game against BCHS in a 45-0 win … Represented Oceanside Collegiate Academy at the North-South All-Star football game … Rated a three-star prospect by 247 Sports.
Kamauri Austin — WR
6-4, 205
Bryant, Ark. (Bryant)
High School: Enters state championship game as standout on unbeaten team with 53 catches for 755 yards and seven touchdowns … Had 11 receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown in the state semifinal win … Caught 15 touchdown passes among his 36 catches for 667 yards (18.5 average) as a junior, when Bryant won a 7-A state title with a 13-0 record … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Gavin Barber — TE
6-3, 230
Mooresville, N.C. (Mooresville)
High School: Selected for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Totaled 94 catches for 1,462 yards and 22 touchdowns over his final three prep seasons at Mooresville … Had 30 catches for 475 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games for a 9-3 team as a senior … Charlotte Observer All-Region and Greater Metro 4 All-Conference recognition as a junior, totaling 30 catches for 490 yards and nine TDs … Posted 497 receiving yards as a sophomore … Career .335 hitter in baseball prior to his senior year … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Syncere Berry — CB
6-2, 170
Ellenwood, Ga. (Westlake)
High School: Totaled 40 total tackles, two interceptions, five PBUs, two blocked field goals and one forced fumble in his senior season at Westlake … Region 2 6A 2nd Team All-Region Selection … Has a 78-inch wingspan … Rated a three-star prospect by 247 Sports.
Keaton Braddock — EDGE
6-5, 210
Lamar, S.C. (Louisburg College)
Prior to App State: Totaled 43 total tackles and 17 sacks in two years at Louisburg College … Had 9.5 sacks in 10 games during the 2025 season, highlighted by a season-high three sacks against Central Georgia Technical College … Second-team All-American in his freshman year, recording 7.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries (one being returned for a touchdown) and an interception.
High School: Standout at Lamar High School.
Nate Branch — WR
5-9, 175
Hopkins, S.C. (Itawamba CC)
Prior to App State: Caught 40 passes for 482 yards and nine touchdowns at Itawamba Community College in 2025 after not appearing in any games as a Charleston Southern freshman in 2024 … Had three multi-TD games for Itawamba and two games with 100-plus yards … Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference first team in 2025.
High School: All-state receiver as a junior and senior and a three-time all-region selection … Graduated from Lower Richland before spending a post-graduate year at Palmetto Prep … As a junior, had 38 catches for more than 800 yards, averaging more than 20 yards per reception … Was ranked as highly as the No. 8 overall player in South Carolina and a top-100 receiver nationally in the prep Class of 2023 … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Kamron Burris — OL
6-5, 300
Dunwoody, Ga. (Anderson University)
Prior to App State: Appeared in 22 games over three seasons for Division II Anderson University from 2023-25 … Second-team All-South Atlantic Conference selection in 2025 … Key blocker to help lead a rushing attack that accumulated 1,726 yards in 2025 … Named as a 2024 All-Mountain Offensive honoree as a redshirt freshman.
High School: Standout member of the Dunwoody program.
Bronzden Chaffin — QB
6-4, 235
Baxter, Tenn. (Upperman)
High School: Dual-threat quarterback passed for 2,130 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 65 percent of his throws to go along with 1,344 rushing yards and 22 scores on the ground for a 9-3 team as a senior … Over his final three seasons, for teams with a combined record of 34-5, threw for 5,066 yards and rushed for 4,422 yards while accounting for 99 offensive touchdowns (46 passing, 53 rushing) … Finalist for Tennessee's 4A Mr. Football as a senior … Threw for at least 225 yards in five games as a senior and rushed for at least 100 yards in seven games, highlighted by 220 rushing yards (with four TDs) against Macon County and a four-TD passing game against Farragut … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Scottland Dover — OL
6-5, 305
Gaffney, S.C. (Gaffney)
High School: Selected for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Ranked as a top-20 overall prospect in the state of South Carolina and top-75 interior offensive lineman nationally by 247Sports … Standout for a Gaffney team that went 9-4 and reached the third round of the playoffs during his senior year … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Chris Doyle — DL
6-2, 285
Bluffton, S.C. (Bluffton)
High School: Doyle recorded 141 total tackles, 39 tackles for loss, eight sacks and 48 quarterback hurries over his final two prep seasons … Finished senior season with 74 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and 22 hurries for an 8-3 team … Averaged 7.4 stops per game, with four tackles for loss against Hilton Head Island and 10 tackles against Lucy Beckham … Named to the WJCL Big 22 prior to his senior season … Ranked as a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Eisa Evans — OL
6-6, 270
Winston-Salem, N.C. (Reagan)
High School: Standout performer for a 10-3 team as a senior … Selected to the East-West All-Star Game … All-CPC selection during his prep career … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Tre Glover — OL
6-4, 295
Warner Robins, Ga. (Warner Robins)
High School: Rated as one of the top five offensive tackles in Georgia by GA Prep Varsity … Standout for a 7-5 team as a senior … First-team 4A All-Region 1 performer as a junior … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Jahlon Harris — OL
6-6, 325
Maumelle, Ark. (Maumelle)
High School: Standout lineman as a senior for a 6-5 team … Selected for the Under Armour All-American combine … 40 pancake blocks as an offensive tackle … Also contributed 11 tackles for loss, one sack and two forced fumbles on defense.
Jordan Harris — EDGE
6-6, 225
Maumelle, Ark. (Maumelle)
High School: Posted 50 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks and three forced fumbles as a senior at Maumelle … Had five sacks in a 21-7 win against Pine Bluff … Ranked as a top-100 edge defender nationally and a top-15 overall prospect in the state of Arkansas … Two-sport standout also has excelled in basketball … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Jamel Howse — TE
6-4, 240
Newberry, S.C. (Newberry)
High School: Selected for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Had 46 catches for 613 yards and five TDs for a 12-1 team as a senior, adding roughly 30 pounds from his junior to senior seasons … Caught 34 passes for 412 yards as a junior and had 36 catches for 789 yards with nine touchdowns as a sophomore … Ranked the No. 170 overall player in the 2026 class by ESPN ... Ranked as the No. 18 tight end nationally and the No. 6 overall prospect in the state of South Carolina in the 247Sports composite rankings … Also been a standout in basketball and track & field … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and a four-star prospect in the 247Sports composite rankings.
Ben Jones — OL
6-3, 295
Orlando, Fla. (Edgewater)
High School: Named a US Army All-American and earned recognition for the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Line of the Year … Ranked No. 43 in the Orlando Sentinel's Central Florida Super 60 … Standout lineman for a 12-1 team during his senior season … Starter on the offensive line since his freshman year, having played primarily tackle for Edgewater while being projected as an interior lineman in college … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Xavier Joseph — EDGE
6-2, 240
Covington, Ga. (Eastside)
High School: Totaled 9.0 sacks, 33 QB hurries, 26.0 tackles for loss and 145 tackles during his Eastside career … Recorded five sacks his senior year, tallying two sacks in a 45-7 win over East Forsyth … Named Region Defensive Lineman of the Year by Region-8 AAAA coaches his junior year … Made first team all-state, recognized by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association … Rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports.
Bryant "BJ" Junius — LB
6-0, 200
Hollywood, Fla. (Chaminade-Madonna)
High School: Has totaled 228 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, three interceptions and 13 passes defended over his final three varsity seasons … Has 87 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries during his senior season for a team that has reached the state semifinals in Florida … As a junior starter for a state championship team, had 72 tackles … Rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports.
Nick Kashubara — OL
6-4, 285
Greensboro, N.C. (Grimsley)
High School: Selected for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Standout for an unbeaten Grimsley squad that has reached the 7-A state semifinals … Received all-state honorable mention, all-area and all-conference recognition during Grimsley career … Starter on a 16-0 state title team as a junior and a 13-1 team as a sophomore … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Manny Lewis — DL
6-2, 255
Waxhaw, N.C. (Marvin Ridge)
High School: Totaled 180 total tackles, 39.5 tackles for loss, 32 sacks and 61 quarterback hurries over his final three seasons … Posted 53 tackles, 13.5 TFLs and 8.5 sacks as a senior … Recorded 15 sacks in 12 games, along with two forced fumbles, as a junior … Recorded a game during his senior year with 13 total tackles, nine hurries, three sacks and two forced fumbles against Piedmont … Named to the 2024 HighSchoolOT All-State Team and the HSOT 704 All-Region Team … Rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports.
Michael McClenton — LB
6-0, 225
Orlando, Fla. (Edgewater)
High School: Tallied 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks as a senior for a 12-1 team at Edgewater … Had 517 tackles, 99 tackles for loss and 55 sacks over his three seasons at Ocoee before transferring to Edgewater for his senior year … Named 2024 Orange Observer football defensive player of the year and the 2023 Orange Observer football player of the year … Dominated with 219 tackles, 46 tackles for loss and 19 sacks in 10 games during the 2024 season … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Dorrian Medley — SAF
6-3, 170
Hickory, N.C. (Hickory)
High School: Selected for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Recorded 171 total tackles over his final three seasons at Hickory … Totaled four interceptions and five passes defended in 13 games during his senior season … Added 83 total tackles his junior season, along with three tackles for loss and three interceptions… Rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports.
Caden Muskus — OL
6-5, 270
Chapin, S.C. (Chapin)
High School: Selected to the Touchstone Energy Bowl, an all-star game for South Carolina standouts … SCFCA 5A All-State and first-team 5A All-Region 4 during his prep career … Four-year starter on the line … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Kabran Paul — WR
5-10, 165
Tallahassee, Fla. (Lincoln)
High School: Had 43 catches for 529 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior for a 6-5 team … Also had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as a senior … Had a three-touchdown game against Rickards … Completed junior season with 37 catches for 590 yards and nine TDs … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Jarvis Potts — OL
6-4, 310
Cornelius, N.C. (Hough)
High School: Standout on the line for an unbeaten Hough team that has reached its first state championship, making the final in North Carolina's largest classification (8-A) … As a junior, helped lead a team that went 12-2 and produced more than 5,000 yards of offense … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Jayden Thomas — OL
6-4, 305
Thomson, Ga. (Georgia Military College)
Prior to App State: Had 40 knockdown blocks and no sacks allowed as a redshirt freshman during a 2025 season in which Georgia Military went 10-1 … Earned ranking as a top-five interior lineman at the JUCO level … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
High School: Standout lineman at Thomson High in Georgia.
Christian Waring — DL
6-3, 250
Spartanburg, S.C. (Dorman)
High School: Selected for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Standout for a program that went 10-3 during his senior year in 2025 … Ranked as a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
Micah Williams — SAF
6-0, 200
Savannah, Ga. (Benedictine Military)
High School: Recorded 218 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and 15 interceptions as a four-year varsity player at Benedictine Military … Tallied six interceptions and four passes defended his senior year … Earned first-team All-Greater Savannah honors as a defensive back in his junior season … Named to the 2024 Savannah Morning News All-Area and first team 4A All-Region 1 … Rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports.
Brice Williamson — TE
6-3, 240
Hartwell, Ga. (Prince Avenue Christian)
High School: Had 25 catches for 434 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior for an 8-4 team … Had two games with at least 90 yards, including a 109-yard game with one touchdown in a 55-17 victory against Stephens County … Caught 29 passes for 375 yards and six touchdowns as a junior for a 10-4 team that reached the GHSA 3A-A private state final, earning first-team 2A All-Region 8 selection. … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
