Change is in the air
By Steve Behr
 
When Appalachian State brought in five new players who could play quarterback, the recruits knew some of them would be moved to different positions.

Two of them, Travaris Cadet and Jamal Jackson, are battling to be next in line behind Armanti Edwards and sophomore DeAndre Presley. Three others — Andrew Peacock, Jamill Lott and Demetrius McCray — were all moved to different positions.

Lott, who attended Kannapolis Brown, and Peacock, a Northern Durham grad, have been moved to receiver.

McCray, who is from Newton High in Covington, Ga., was moved to cornerback.

“I think the biggest thing is that they’re doing well,” Mountaineers coach Jerry Moore said. “You can move a guy from quarterback to receiver or to defensive back — and if he’s not doing well — he’s probably going to pout. They’re all great competitors and they know that there’s a reason for being there.”

McCray played safety in high school, where he intercepted seven passes, had seven pass break-ups, 40 tackles and forced a fumble. Offensively, he was responsible for 1,600 total yards as quarterback.

McCray knew that the upcoming recruiting class had five quarterbacks, but said it didn’t matter if he played quarterback or in the ASU secondary, as long as he got a chance to play.

“I checked that,” he said. “I just want to be on the field. I’ll do anything to be on the field.

Two big differences stand out for McCray. One is attacking running backs and receivers instead of being the one trying to avoid being tackled. The second is learning the techniques a cornerback needs, since they are difference than playing safety.

“I’m starting to get into the feel of it and starting to learn the defensive plays,” McCray said. “It’s understanding the situations of the game and understanding you’re trying to tackle instead of trying to score.”

Lott said he played receiver a little bit in high school, but was mostly Kannapolis Brown’s quarterback. He passes for 1,929 yards and 23 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,065 yards and 14 scores his senior year.

Lott led the Wonders to a 13-3 season, a co-South Piedmont Conference championship and a berth in the state 3-AA finals.

He said some of the veteran receivers have helped him make the conversion from quarterback to receiver.

“I’m going to look up to the older guys for some knowledge and have them help me out with my routes,” Lott said “I want to learn from them and work my hardest at it to be the best I can be.”

The receiving corps had taken some gradual hits recently. Two years ago, standouts Hans Batichon and Dexter Jackson, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ran out of eligibility.

Former Avery standout Josh Johnson transferred to Mars Hill this fall, and T.J. Courman, a starter last year, used his eligibility.

However, the Mountaineers return starters Brian Quick, CoCo Hillary and Matt Cline. Tavaris Washingon, B.J. Frazier, Dominick Magazu and Ben King also return.

Only Washington and Cline are seniors.

Lott also knew that Hillary was a quarterback in high school and moved to receiver when he got to ASU.

Hillary is being counted on to be one of the Mountaineers’ biggest weapons offensively.

“It didn’t surprise me because I was recruited as an athlete,” Lott said. “So I knew that I could be moved to any position including receiver. When I got moved to receiver, I didn’t complain about it. I just said ‘OK, I’ve got to become the best I can be.’”

Peacock compiled around 3,000 yards in total offense, 2,300 through the air and another 700 on the ground. He was a four-year starter at Northern Durham and led the Knights to their first state playoff appearance in three years.

He also played safety at Northern Durham, but is willing to try his hand at receiver at Appalachian State.

“Whatever position they need me at — I was recruited as an athlete,” Peacock said. “Whether it’s at DB or receiver, it really doesn’t matter. Wherever coach wants me to play, I’m going to work my hardest and do what they ask to help the team.”

Since he was a four-year quarterback at Northern Durham, Peacock feels he has some catching up to do at receiver. He credited first-year wide receivers coach Lance Taylor for his development at the position
“I’ve always wanted to play it, but I never had a chance to play it because I’ve been a quarterback all my life,” Peacock said. “Coming out working with a guy like coach Taylor has really helped me. Any questions I’ve got or anything I need, he’s helped me so much. We’ve covered so much ground in such a short amount of time. I’ve only been up here since July and I feel learned so much since July.”

They’re doing good,” Moore said. “They knew the circumstances a little bit when we recruited them. That wasn't any big surprise.”

“Those kids have been getting a lot of reps and they're going to get better and better,” Moore said of Cadet and Jackson.

Moore said the incoming freshman class has been impressive in the early part of workouts. Several arrived well before practices started on Aug. 6 and Moore feels it shows.

“They’ve been as good as gold,” he said. “I’m tickled to death with them. They’ve been an exceptional class. They’ve come in early and they're keeping pace. I think the fact that the majority of them came in early in the summer makes all the difference in the world. They didn’t come in with big eyes and not know what's going on.”

Players in good shape
Moore said he was happy with the condition of the players so far.

“I think they’ve worked hard and we've had a good camp,” Moore said. “This is out sixth practice and if I were giving them a grade, I'd give them an A. They’ve worked hard and done everything we’ve asked them to do. If we’re misjudging or if we’re not reading it right, then it’s our fault.”

Hunter to move up?
Detroit Lions defensive end Jared DeVries suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon injury, meaning former ASU defensive end Jason Hunter could move up in the Lions’ depth chart.

Hunter was claimed off vaivers from the Green Bay Packers during the off-season.