Newcomers making an impact in preseason camp
Several new names have emerged from Appalachian State’s preseason camp, and a few have made strides toward significant playing time. Among the new players most noted by coaches so far are:
Henry Barnes – He is in the mix at free safety. Barnes is a 6-2, 195-pound freshman from Newton Grove Hobbton. His great uncle, Emery Barnes, was a high-jumper in the 1952 Olympics and played football at Oregon and with the Green Bay Packers.
Bobo Beathard – He will get some time at “M” receiver, and is working on kick returns. Beathard is a 5-10, 175-pound freshman from Haymarket, Va. His father Jeff is a scout for the Carolina Panthers and his grandfather Bobby Beathard is the former general manager of the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers.
Ronald Blair – As of now, Blair, a 6-4, 260-pound freshman from Greensboro, Ga., is a starter at defensive end. He had 112 tackles, nine sacks and 12 quarterback hurries last season as a senior at Greene County High School. He also returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown last season.
Doug Middleton – He is perhaps the most talked-about newcomer in preseason camp, noted for aggressive and hard-nosed play. Middleton, a 6-1, 185-pound freshman who played at Parkland in Winston-Salem, is backing up experienced players at cornerback, is working on kickoff returns and could at least play a significant role on special teams and in nickel packages. His first cousin Greg Jones is a former fullback at Florida State and now plays with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Steven Miller – His speed created a buzz from the beginning of camp, and he will get carries in a mix of running backs that includes Cedric Baker Boney and Travaris Cadet. He is also a candidate to return punts. Miller, a 5-9, 180-pound junior, is from Piscataway, N.J., and a transfer from Nassau Community College. His cousin, Malcolm Jenkins, is a former defensive back at Ohio State who plays safety for the New Orleans Saints.
Read more on these players and others, and the Mountaineers’ new 3-4 defense, in the Friday and Saturday editions of the Winston-Salem Journal.