Appalachian State football didn’t just land a tight end on Wednesday night — they landed a problem for opposing defenses.
Mooresville’s Gavin Barber, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound junior with the hands of a wide receiver and the engine of a linebacker, announced his commitment to the Mountaineers on June 4. A multi-sport standout with Division I offers in both football and interest in baseball, Barber becomes the third in-state commit for App State’s 2026 recruiting class — and arguably one of the most intriguing.
He’s a two-time all-conference selection who caught 32 passes for 531 yards and nine touchdowns last season for a Mooresville team that finished 11-2. He averages more than 16 yards per reception and has 13 career TDs, including a 75-yard catch-and-run in 2024 that showcased his breakaway ability (no one touched him on the play).
But it’s not just his football résumé that’s turning heads in Boone.
Barber also hit .335 with 11 doubles, four home runs, and 60 RBIs for the Blue Devils baseball team. He’s also stepped on the mound and fanned 23 batters across 12.2 innings, flashing the kind of versatility that doesn’t come around often.
“A physical specimen with elite versatility,” wrote Prep RedZone after Barber was named MVP at the Carolinas Coaches Combine – Hickory in April. “He combined the movement skills of a wide receiver with the blocking strength of an offensive tackle. He ran harder, competed with relentless energy and brought intensity to every rep.”
The Mountaineers clearly have taken took notice. Over the past few months, Barber’s social media feed became a steady stream of personalized letters, cards and messages from App State coaches — part of a consistent relationship that helped seal the deal.
“Love when the coaches make you feel wanted with personal letters!!” Barber posted in April, showing stacks of handwritten messages from Boone.
Once again love getting these handwritten letters from the coach’s at @AppState_FB and once again just feeling the love and can’t wait to get back up on the Mountain‼️#TIGMA@CoachYurachek @Dowell_Loggains pic.twitter.com/CziS2aXOmT — Gavin Barber (@GavinBarber2026) May 21, 2025
Barber’s recruitment included 12 Division I offers, with official visits lined up to schools like Louisiana Tech. In-state options included Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, Campbell and North Carolina A&T — but in the end, it was App State that made him feel most at home. He attended the Mountaineers’ spring game in April.
App State now has 10 known commits for the 2026 class, including three from North Carolina:
- DL Manny Lewis (Marvin Ridge)
- S Dorrian Medley (Hickory)
- TE Gavin Barber (Mooresville)
A curious question now: Will Barber get a shot at both sports in college?
If his production — and energy — continues trending the way it has, the Mountaineers may want to let him swing a bat and block a linebacker.
📊 Gavin Barber | App State Commit
🧩 Position: Tight End
📍 Hometown: Mooresville, NC
🎓 High School: Mooresville Blue Devils (11-2 in 2024)
🧢 Coach: Zach Mayo
📏 Size: 6-3, 230
📚 GPA: 4.5
🎯 Offers/Interest: App State beat out Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, Campbell, and NC A&T. Also received interest from Louisiana Tech (OV), Mercer, Wofford, Cornell, Brown, Bryant and Penn.
🎥 Hudl Highlights: Gavin Barber
💪 Career Rewind: 1,028 receiving yards and 13 TDs over two seasons. Also a .335 career hitter on the baseball field with 60 RBIs, 4 HRs, and a 1.66 ERA as a pitcher. MVP of the 2024 Carolinas Coaches Combine.
🏈 See who else is headed to play college football for Appalachian State and other North Carolina schools in 2026 — View our full NC College Football Commit Tracker
