Hard-working young wideout adds depth to Appalachian’s ultra-talented corps of veteran pass-catchers … could compete for a role on special teams in addition to fighting for playing time at receiver.

2012: Did not see game action.

2011: Redshirted.

High School: Caught 93 passes for 1,393 yards and 23 touchdowns during three-year prep career at Northeastern H.S. in Elizabeth City ... named all-county and all-conference as a junior and senior ... helped team advance to N.C. 2-AA state championship game as a senior in 2010 ... amassed 121 all-purpose yards in title-game loss to Salisbury ... named team MVP as a junior and coaches’ award recipient as a senior ... three-year letterwinner ... coached by Antonio Moore ... also lettered twice in baseball.

Personal: Full name is Austin Elijah Fowler ... born Feb. 22, 1993 (20 years old) ... son of Erin and Gene Fowler ... father is publisher of the Watauga Democrat newspaper in Boone ... is one of six siblings in his family ... enjoys golfing ... majoring in business management.