Gary and Rizor
Jordan Gary and John Rizor are expected to get their first career starts Saturday in Appalachian State’s season-opening game at Chattanooga.
More details about that in Friday’s Winston-Salem Journal.
Gary and Rizor emerged as viable options to start at defensive end during spring practice with returning starters Jabari Fletcher and Lanston Tanyi out with injuries, and they solidified their status in preseason camp with their performance coupled with the fact that Fletcher and Tanyi both missed more practice time because of short-term ailments.
Mark Speier, the Mountaineers’ defensive ends coach, expects all four to rotate and get plenty of playing time.
Rizor has bulked up from 228 pounds last season to 242.
“Our strength coordinator has gotten us all stronger and bigger in the weight room,” Rizor said. “When you have a big ol’ offensive lineman coming to kick you out, having the extra weight is going to help.”
Gary, a former tight end, switched to defensive end right before the playoffs last season.
“I played mostly defense in high school and that’s something I wanted to get back to,” Gary said. “I love this side of the ball.”
The Mountaineers appear set to begin the season with quality depth at defensive end, which includes a fifth player in Jason Jones.
“We feel good about the rotation,” Rizor said. “In our case, you always have someone coming in off the bench who can make plays.”
Gary said: “It’s a strength of our defense to have this many defensive ends that can play.”
Speir said: “It’s a great ‘problem.’ We have a bunch of guys wanting to start, and a bunch of guys capable of starting. They’ll all have their opportunity to go out and produce and win the job.”