Appalachian State picked up its first 2026 commitment on the defensive side of the ball Monday, getting a pledge from edge rusher/lineman Xavier Ethan Joseph from Covington, Ga.
Joseph (6-2, 240) earned honorable mention all-state status during his junior season at Eastwood High. He was voted the Region 8-AAAA Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Joseph had six tackles-for-loss, two sacks and 30 total tackles on the defensive side of the ball last season. He also played fullback for Eastwood, earning two touchdowns and picking up 130 receiving yards. His HUDL highlight reel also featured a blocked punt among other showcase plays.
Joseph has played varsity since his freshman season. He has 123 total tackles for Eastwood, including 47 as a freshman in 2022. His career stat line features 17 tackles-for-loss, four sacks and 31 quarterback hurries.
Monday’s announcement gives Appalachian State two commitments for its 2026 class. Offensive lineman Scottland Dover from Gaffney, SC pledged for the Mountaineers in November 2024.
Joseph also reported offers from Florida Atlantic, Liberty, Kennesaw State and Tennessee Tech.
With spring football in full gear, and college programs hosting an assortment of junior day events, expect the commitment list for North Carolina college programs to grow in the coming weeks.
Charlotte also picked up a commitment from a defensive stalwart on Monday, receiving a verbal from Maximus Jansenvanvuren, an edge rusher from Waterford Mott High in Michigan.
See which players have committed to North Carolina FBS and FCS programs here in our 2026 commitment tracker.
More Appalachian State football news
🏈The Mountaineers have been going through their first spring under new coach Dowell Loggains. Spring workouts will culminate with the Battle at the Rock spring game on Saturday, April 12 at Kidd Brewer Stadium. The pregame fan fest will start at 10 a.m. with the game kicking off at 1 p.m.
🏈FootballScoop.com is reporting that Loggains has parted ways with receivers coach Joe Dailey. “Sources tell FootballScoop the decision was largely a result of conversations between head coach Dowell Loggains and Dailey over how they plan to handle the offense and Dailey’s receivers group,” the outlet reported Tuesday. No word yet on who might take over the role of receivers coach going forward.
🏈App State released a challenging 2025 schedule last month. It begins with a Friday night showdown against growing rival Charlotte in the annual Duke’s Mayo Classic over Labor Day weekend. Ticket information for the game at Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers, can be found here. Read more about the Mountaineers complete 2025 schedule here.
🏈ASU held its annual Pro Day last week, with 10 players showcasing their skills before NFL scouts. Kicker Michael Hughes made highlight reels with his 13-of-13 performance on field goals. He started from the 33-yard-line and worked his way back successfully, eventually drilling a 58- and 63-yarder.
🏈Other participants included DL Michael Fletcher, WR Christian Horn, LS Christian Johnstone, DL Montez Kelley, RB Ahmani Marshall, P Conner Maynard, DB Seth Robertson, TE Eli Wilson and WR Kaedin Robinson. Horn clocked the fastest 40 time (4.47 seconds).
🏈The Appalachian State community is mourning the loss of former player Matt Stevens, who passed away last week. Stevens, 51, was a two-time All-American who played safety for the Mountaineers in the mid-1990s. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1996 and won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.
🏈Lily Sweet King has joined the Appalachian State football staff as director of recruiting operations. She has experience in similar roles with Texas and Ole Miss.
🏈NC State is back on the home football schedule for App State. The Mountaineers had been slated to host the Wolfpack this fall, but NCSU canceled the game and instead chose to schedule Virginia as a non-conference game. The ASU-NC State meeting in Boone is back on, with Appalachian hosting the Pack at Kidd Brewer on Sept. 30, 2028. App State will make a trip to Raleigh on Sept. 26, 2026. Read more about the much anticipated series between the Mountaineers and Wolfpack here.
