A bullish offensive tackle who helped power Grimsley to an undefeated state title in 2024 will join Appalachian State’s bid to return to the top of the Sun Belt Conference. Rising senior Nick Kashubara became part of App State football’s 2026 recruiting class on Wednesday, announcing his commitment to Dowell Loggains and the Mountaineers on social media.
Kashubara (6-4 | 285) ranks as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and the No. 60 Class of 2026 prospect in North Carolina. He earned honorable-mention all-state status a year ago from HighSchoolOT, as well as first-team all-conference and all-area recognition. Grimsley piled up 3,880 rushing yards in 2024 and scored 66 touchdowns on the ground.
Kashubara, one of three offensive linemen who made an official visit to Boone over the weekend (the other two had already committed), becomes App State’s 11th known commitment for 2026. He’s the third-straight North Carolina pledge in recent weeks, joining Mooresville tight end Gavin Barber and Marvin Ridge defensive lineman Manny Lewis. Hickory’s Dorrian Medley was one of Loggains’ first 2026 commits back in April.
Grimsley now has four members of its 2026 class committed to college programs. Kashubara became the fourth, along with quarterback Faizon Brandon (Tennessee), tight end DJ Howerton (Rutgers) and wide receiver Kaden Catoe (Charlotte) to announce college plans prior to the state of the season.
Great season ended with a Ring, 16-0. Humbled to be recognized as a 1st team All Area selection, 1st team All Conference, and Honorable Mention All State. Check out my season highlight reel. @grimsleyfb @RecruitGrimsley @HerdFB @wabrown50 @RealCoachTripp https://t.co/H8OiS0FCnm — Nick Kashubara (@NickKashubara72) January 22, 2025
📊Nick Kashubara
🧩 Position: Offensive Line
📍 Hometown: Greensboro, NC
🎓 High School: Grimsley Whirlies (16-0 in 2024, 4A state champs)
🧢 High School Coach: Darryl Brown
📏 Height/Weight: 6-4, 285
📚 GPA: 4.5
🏅 247Sports Ranking: 247Sports recently designated Kashubara a three-star prospect and the No. 60 prospect in North Carolina.
🎯 Offers/Interest: Appalachian State was one of the first schools to offer Kashubara (January). Kashubara took an official visit to Wake Forest in May after being offered by the Deacs in February. Charlotte and East Carolina extended offers in March. Other offers extended after the 2024 season included from Liberty, Campbell, Gardner-Webb, Buffalo, Old Dominion, James Madison, Florida International and Cornell.
💪 Career Rewind: Paved the way for Grimsley’s potent offense during an undefeated state championship season in 2024, collecting honorable mention all-state honors. Selected to participate in the prestigious Under Armor All-American camp in April. Earned Academic All-America honors from High School Football America.
🏈 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
🏈 Check out where other North Carolina high school prospects have committed to play college football in 2026 — View our NC High School Commit Tracker
