Former walk-on has become one of the team’s top leaders on and off the field ... is perhaps the best route-runner in a deep, talented, veteran group of wide receivers ... boasts terrific hands ... is an excellent blocker ... a vocal, emotional leader ... slated to be the starter at the ‘X’ receiver position.

2009: Appeared in all 14 games and was the starter at the ‘X’ receiver position the entire season ... ranked fourth on the squad with 311 receiving yards and fifth with 24 receptions ... caught at least one pass in 10-of-14 games ... recorded 11 receptions for 153 yards during the 11-game regular season but surpassed those totals with 158 yards on 13 catches in just three postseason games ... set a career high with five catches for 57 yards in the FCS playoff opener versus South Carolina State ... the next week, racked up a career-best 64 yards on four receptions in national quarterfinal win over Richmond ... of his four catches in the thrilling 35-31 win at UR, one was a seven-yarder that gave ASU an all-important first down on its game-winning touchdown drive in the waning seconds of the game and another was a 24-yarder that he made flat on his back after slipping on the wet turf in the second quarter (the play came in at No. 9 on ESPN’s SportsCenter’s “Top 10 Plays” segment that evening) ... capped the impressive postseason run by catching four passes for 37 yards in national semifinals at Montana ... after entering the postseason with no more than three receptions in any of his 38 career games, he had at least four catches in each of the three playoff matchups.

2008: Appeared in all 14 games as a sophomore ... made first three starts of his career, all coming in the season’s first four games (at LSU, vs. Jacksonville, vs. Presbyterian) ... caught 13 passes for 180 yards, but did so in spurts, with the 13 receptions coming in eight games ... hauled in multiple receptions three times during the regular season with two apiece against Jacksonville, Presbyterian and Chattanooga ... scored the first touchdown of his career on a 38-yard reception in the 49-7 rout at UTC ... set career highs with three catches for 48 yards in the Apps’ loss to Richmond in the national quarterfinals.

2007: Saw action in 13 games, including all four postseason affairs ... caught four passes for 30 yards ... three of the four receptions came in 79-35 win over archrival Western Carolina ... all three catches versus WCU came courtesy of his brother, Trey, a former ASU quarterback ... hauled in a season-long 12-yard reception in national quarterfinals versus Eastern Washington.

2006: Redshirted.

High School: Closed an impressive prep career by racking up seven receptions for 124 yards and three touchdowns in his final five games as a senior ... a two-time academic all-area selection ... lettered three times in football and once in track ... coached at Byrnes by Bobby Bentley.

Personal: Full name is Jonathan Blake Elder ... born July 12, 1988 (22 years old) ... son of Connie and Allen Elder ... brother, Trey, was a four-year letterwinner at quarterback at Appalachian from 2004-07 and compiled a 7-1 record as a starter ... enjoys hiking and writing ... is one of the team’s most active members of the community, often speaking at youth, church and civic events ... majoring in organizational/public communications with a minor in health promotions ...  is a Dean’s List student and member of SoCon and ASU athletics’ academic honor rolls ... plans to go to seminary school and pastor a church.