Appalachian State football beat out multiple Big Ten programs to land one of the top 2026 quarterbacks in the Midwest.
Ashland (Ohio) standout Nathan Bernhard announced Friday that he has committed to the Mountaineers, choosing App State over reported offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State and Indiana – and strong interest from Ohio State in recent weeks.
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound signal caller is rated a 3-star prospect by 247Sports and has been on Power 4 recruiting radars since his breakout sophomore season.
Bernhard becomes a major early headliner in new head coach Dowell Loggains’ first full recruiting class in Boone. Loggains, who coached in the NFL and most recently served as South Carolina’s offensive coordinator, reportedly began following Bernhard’s development during his time in Columbia
“There really is a rich tradition there and people care about it,” Bernhard told the Ashland Source in a recent interview about choosing Appalachian State.
Bernhard told the Source he considered Michigan and Ohio State as “dream” destinations, and that the Buckeyes were close to extending an offer. But in the end, App State and the new staff won him over.
Bernhard said he was impressed that App State’s Kidd Brewer Stadium is always full on game days and that 15,000 attended the recent spring game. He also liked that Loggains and the Mountaineers viewed him as QB1.
“It really came down to Michigan and Ohio State – just hearing what they had to say and the information I was getting from them,” Bernhard told the Ashland Source. “Ultimately, that led to my decision to take the App State offer.
“They made it clear that I was their No. 1 guy and I was the guy they wanted,” he added. “Ultimately, you’ve got to go where you’re most wanted because that’s gonna maximize your chances of actually playing.”
Full Junior Season Highlights
-12-1 record, tied best in school history
-181/299 2895yds 24tds 4ints
-206 carries 1221 yds 22tds
-4116 total yds, 46 total tds@mickdwalker @AllenTrieu @BradMaendler @OhioPrepWriters @Arrow_Football_ https://t.co/mtPX2bocno — Nathan Bernhard (@nbernie26) November 20, 2024
📊 About Nathan Bernhard
🧩 Position: Quarterback
📍 Hometown: Ashland, Ohio
🎓 High School: Ashland
🧢Head Coach: Scott Valentine
📚 GPA: 4.0
📏 Height/Weight: 6-6, 230
🎯 Offers/Interest: Received offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, West Virginia, Louisville, Iowa State, Duke, Indiana, Bowling Green, Akron, and more. Ohio State made a push late
⭐ Ratings: 3-star QB (247Sports Composite); ranked No. 24 nationally at his position
🔥 Notable Stats and Honors
🏈 Passed for 2,895 yards and 24 TDs as a junior in 2024
🏃♂️ Rushed for 1,221 yards and 22 TDs in 2024 — most ever by an Ashland QB
📈 7,439 total yards and 75 touchdowns over three seasons
🏆 Ohio Cardinal ConferenceOffensive Player of the Year
🏆 Division II All-Northwest District Co-Offensive Player of the Year
🏆 First-Team All-Ohio (Division II)
📚 Led Ashland to a 12-1 record, Ohio Cardinal Conference title, and playoff win over Columbus DeSales
📜 Holds Ashland’s single-season rushing record by a quarterback
🔗 More 2026 NC Football Recruiting Coverage
➡️ Check out all the 2026 prospects who have committed to Appalachian State football and other North Carolina college programs — full list HERE.
➡️ See where North Carolina’s Class of 2026 prospects have committed — full list HERE.
