Chisholm commits

to Appalachian State
From staff reports

Appalachian State’s football team received an verbal commitment from Independence running back Rod Chisholm, the Charlotte Observer reported in Wednesday’s edition.

Chisholm set the Mecklenburg County record with 42 rushing touchdowns for Independence, the state 4-AA runner-up last season. The Patriots, which has won seven straight state championships up to last year, lost to New Bern in the finals.

Chisholm, who is 5-foot-9 and weighs 190 pounds, is no stranger to Boone. As a junior, he led West Charlotte to a 21-0 victory over Watauga in the state 4-A semifinals at Jack Groce Stadium. He gained 234 yards on 34 carries and scored touchdown runs of 40 and 18 yards.

Chisholm transferred to Independence for his senior season.

As a junior, he gained 2,237 yards rushing. Last season, he added 2,496 yards on 339 carries. He had two 300-yard rushing games, averaged 7.4 yards per carry, and played in the Shrine Bowl.

Chisholm was also recruited by Western Carolina and South Carolina State, according to the Observer.

Devon Moore has the inside track to the starting running back position left by Kevin Richardson, Appalachian State’s record-setting running back who was a senior last year. Richardson gained 4,804 career yards and scored 66 touchdowns during his career at Appalachian State. He also had 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns receiving.

Moore gained 459 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. He also caught 14 receptions for 171 yards last year.

He also caught a critical fourth-down 20-yard pass from quarterback Armanti Edwards that gave the Mountaineers a first down, which eventually led to the go-ahead touchdown in Appalachian State’s 28-27 win over James Madison in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Chisholm will be the second Independence player to sign with Appalachian State in the last two years. D.J. Smith worked his way into the Mountaineers’ starting lineup at linebacker during his freshman season last year.