AAC Releases 2023 Football Players to Watch List
August 17, 2023
WALESKA, Ga. - The 2023 Football Players to Watch List is out, the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) announced on Thursday.
Conference coaches each could submit a total of seven student-athletes (three offensive, three defensive, and one special teams players) who they anticipate will have an impact on their team this season.
There are several All-AAC honorees as well as a few newcomers.
| School | Name | Position | Class | 2022 Stats/Highlights | Reason to Watch |
| Bluefield | Nathan Herstich | Quarterback | Junior | 3,183 yards passing, 33 TDs, First Team All-AAC | One of the top QBs in the NAIA |
| Bluefield | Termaine Baker | Offensive Line | Junior | Anchored one of the top offenses in the NAIA | Looked upon to lead Bluefield's offense |
| Bluefield | Jewels Gray | Wide Receiver | Junior | 49 rec., 678 yards, 5 TDs, First Team All-AAC | Big playmaker |
| Bluefield | Quincy Robinson | Defensive Line | Senior | 5.5 sacks, 7 tackles for a loss, First Team All-AAC | Expected to play a major role |
| Bluefield | Tyrese Wolfe | Defensive Back | Grad Student | 16 PBUs, 4 INTs, Second Team All-AAC | Great leader and playmaker |
| Bluefield | Riley Stubbs | Placekicker | Junior | Averaged 56.6 yards per kickoff | Tremendous leg and accuracy |
| Kentucky Christian | Hezekiah Hunter | Running Back | Junior | N/A | Explosive player |
| Kentucky Christian | Tyler Wages | Offensive Line | Senior | N/A | Outstanding Leader |
| Kentucky Christian | Trent Hill | Defensive End | Junior | 36 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 6 tackles for a loss | Strong and explosive |
| Kentucky Christian | Josiah Price | Defensive Back | Senior | 12 tackles | Incredible leader |
| Pikeville | Alex Sanders | Running Back | Senior | 757 rush yards, 4 TDs, 63 rec., 641 yards, 5 TDs | Returning All-American |
| Pikeville | Xavier Malone | Quarterback | Junior | 1,565 passing yards, 12 TDs, 2 rush TDs | Led UPike to No. 1 in passing yards per game in the MSC |
| Pikeville | Lee Kirkland | Quarterback | Junior | 1,670 passing yards, 12 TDs, 2 rush TDs | Multiple Offensive Player of the Week awards in 2022 |
| Pikeville | Myson Livingston | Defensive Line | Senior | 30 tackles, 5 sacks | Outstanding pass rusher |
| Pikeville | TJ Butler | Defensive Back | Senior | 29 tackles, 2 INTs | Outstanding cover man |
| Pikeville | Jacquez Russ | Linebacker | Senior | 32 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss | Dynamic linebacker |
| Pikeville | Jakob Headley | Placekicker | Junior | 15-21 PATs, 1 field goal | Set school record for PATs |
| Point | Emery Bryant | Wide Receiver | Senor | 43 rec., 709 yards, 2 TDs | Explosive player who can make a big play at any time |
| Point | Mitch Gossett | Quarterback | Senior | 75-160 passing, 1,007 yards, 9 TDs, 4 INTs | Looking to improve on 2022 season |
| Point | Taylor Hogan | Offensive Line | Senior | Started 8 games at center | Leader of the offensive line |
| Point | Kemorion Larkin | Linebacker | Junior | 57 tackles, 2.0 sacks | Looking to improve following a solid sophomore year |
| Point | Davyon Dukes | Defensive Back | Senior | 39 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 2 INTs, 4 PBUs | Should have a breakout senior year |
| Point | San Juan Warner | Linebacker | Senior | 45 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 tackles for a loss, 1 INT | Hoping for a break out campaign |
| Point | Matt Moses | Punter | Sophomore | 59 punts, 32.1 yards per punt, Long 52 | Should improve after a good freshman campaign |
| Reinhardt | Jerdavian Colbert | Running Back | Sophomore | 104 rushing yards, 1 TD | Will be the starting running back. Explosive and elusive |
| Reinhardt | Luis Morris | Wide Receiver | Senior | 12 rec., 199 yards, 2 TDs | Most versatile player on the roster |
| Reinhardt | Sam Stout | Right Tackle | Junior | Returning starter | Great footwork |
| Reinhardt | Kellen Neal | Free Safety | Senior | 34 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, 1 INT | Returning starter, potential 5-time all-conference honoree |
| Reinhardt | Key Whitlock | Defensive Back | Senior | 47 tackles, 3 INTs, 2 PBUs | Returning playmaker who was an All-American HM |
| Reinhardt | Jalen Cannon | Nose Guard | Senior | 40 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for a loss | Physical guy that will hold the line in the middle |
| Reinhardt | Codey Bennett | Long Snapper | Senior | N/A | Four-year starter |
| St. Andrews | Marvin Farmer | Offensive Line | Senior | N/A | All-Conference player |
| St. Andrews | Aronson Cook | Wide Receiver | Junior | 41 catches, 585 yardsm 7 TDs | Dynamic around the ball |
| St. Andrews | Austin Hunt | Linebacker | Senior | 116 tackles, All-Conference | Nose for the ball |
| Union | Walker Russell | Quarterback | Senior | Did not play | Former Mr. Football in Tennessee, had a great camp |
| Union | Tony Norman | Wide Receiver | Junior | 21 rec., 254 yards, 5 TDs | Physical receiver with great hands a good speed |
| Union | Omarion Parks | Running Back | Freshman | No stats - true freshman | Highly recruited freshman, great potential |
| Union | Quinterrius Tanksley | Nose Guard | Junior | Transfer from Cumberlands (Ky.) | Great spring. Big, strong, and quick player |
| Union | Dayvon Moore | Defensive End | Senior | 37 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 tackles for a loss | Expected to have a great year following a injury last year |
| Union | Tramonte Gardner | Linebacker | Senior | 75 tackles, 3 sacks, 11.5 TFL, 1 INT | Legit candidate for Defensive Player of the Year |
| Union | Jace Polley | Punter | Senior | Injured | Won several Special Teams Player of the Week honors in 2021 |