Devin Radford, a fleet-footed transfer from Virginia Tech, hopes to make his mark at running back for Appalachian State.
Radford said he will begin classes at ASU on July 7, the day the second session of summer school starts. He is in Boone doing strength and conditioning training to prepare for the coming season, and he has three years of eligibility left.
"Everything is good here," said Radford, who played high-school football at Fayetteville Smith. "I like it here, and I feel comfortable. I'm looking forward to next season."
Radford redshirted at Virginia Tech in 2006 and was relegated to special teams last season. At 5-9 and 192 pounds, he also was one of Tech's smaller running backs, and he said that a proposed move to defensive back didn't sit well with him.
"That was most of the reason why I decided to come here," Radford said. "I just wasn't clicking at Tech. I just wasn't comfortable there. I didn't really feel like I was wanted there."
Radford had the fastest 40-yard dash time among Tech's running backs last spring - 4.31 seconds.
"He was recruited there as an athlete," Coach Jerry Moore of the Mountaineers said. "He's a good kid and a good player. We like him. He's got great speed."
Radford said he expects to get his chance at running back with the Mountaineers, who have won three straight titles in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.
There is a window of opportunity given the departure of Kevin Richardson, a senior who wound up his career last season as the Mountaineers' all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
The Mountaineers do have several prospects at running back. Devon Moore (5-9, 200) played in 15 games last season as a sophomore and rushed for 459 yards and seven touchdowns. Sophomore Robert Welton (5-11, 210) and walk-on freshman Cedric Baker (5-9, 170) emerged from spring practice as top backups to Moore. They'll be joined by freshman recruit Rod Chisholm (5-9, 190) of Charlotte Independence.
Radford said he could also return kickoffs or punts.
"Coach Moore has talked to me about that," Radford said. "I'd like to. I did a lot of that in high school."
Radford scored three touchdowns as a return specialist in high school, and he rushed for 12 touchdowns as a senior. He also was named the team's top defensive player by coaches after totaling 55 tackles and four interceptions.
Radford said that Appalachian was first on his list after he decided to leave Virginia Tech.
"They're the best at this level," Radford said. "I felt like I could contribute to the team. My goal is to play."
Tommy Bowman can be reached at 727-7320 or at tbowman@wsjournal.com.
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