Former walk-on turned three-year starter returns for his fourth season in Black and Gold ... has overcome injuries throughout his career to make 28 starts at center and right guard ... will battle sophomore Parker Collins (6-3, 295) and redshirt freshman Colby Gossett (6-6, 315) for starting assignment at right guard in 2014 ... regardless of whether in a starting role or not, is expected to be a key cog for the Mountaineers up front ... makes up for lack of size with exceptional athleticism, technique, tenacity and strength ... is pound-for-pound one of the strongest players on the team.

2013: Started first 10 games of the season at right guard ... sat out the final two games due to a lower-body injury sustained at Georgia (Nov. 9) ... would-be season-ending injury came at an inopportune time, as he was playing his best football of the season ... amassed job grades of 80 percent or higher in his final three full games of the season (Furman, Georgia Southern and Chattanooga) — his only three 80-percent grades of the season ... matched a season high with three knockdowns and finished with an 85-percent grade at Furman ... graded out at 82 percent in big win over Georgia Southern ... compiled a season-best 91-percent grade with two knockdowns against UTC ... tallied three knockdowns in just 30 snaps before suffering the injury at Georgia ... finished the season with 18 knockdowns ... was charged with just six missed assignments and one sack allowed all season ... was Appalachian State’s only regular starting lineman to not be called for a penalty all season.

2012: Started the first six games of the season at right guard … graded out at 76 percent over six games … amassed 12 knockdowns and did not allow a sack all season … turned in a season-best performance in loss to The Citadel with 88-percent grade and five knockdowns, both season highs … sustained a season-ending foot injury in win over Elon on Oct. 6.

2011: Despite being a walk-on true freshman, started all 12 games at center … named to Southern Conference’s all-freshman team by league’s coaches ... unexpected ascent from walk-on to 12-game starter made even more impressive by the fact that he missed all but seven days of preseason practice due to head injury suffered on the third day of fall camp … returned to the practice field the Monday before the season opener at Virginia Tech and was the surprise starter at center versus the No. 13 (AP) Hokies … was credited with a knockdown and a pancake block in homecoming win over Samford ... had a season-best 86-percent grade at Furman, including a very impressive 81-percent showing against the run ... recorded two knockdowns in win over Western Carolina.

High School: Two-year starter ... helped traditionally strong Clay-Chalkville program rebound from back-to-back losing seasons to post an 8-3 record as a junior in 2009 and 9-4 mark as a senior in 2010 ... led team to 2010 Alabama Class 6A quarterfinals, where it dropped a 35-27 decision to national power Hoover ... coached by Jerry Hood.

Personal: Full name is Alexander Acey ... majoring in health promotion ... member of Appalachian State athletics academic honor roll and was also a member of Southern Conference academic honor roll.