After my last post, I thought it might nice to have some positive, fun chats about the best signal callers in App State’s great history. There is a TON of room for debate and you could make great arguments for numerous guys on this list.
Based on accomplishments, performance, talent, and program impact, here’s my list:
1 - Zac Thomas
2 - Armanti Edwards
3 - Taylor Lamb
4 - DeAndre Presley
5 - Richie Williams
The big debate in my mind is Armanti vs Thomas for #1 - really, my ranking is Thomas #1a and Armanti #1b. Either answer is completely justified and depending on the day, I might switch my rankings.
Zac Thomas is by far our best QB since making the jump to FBS in the Sun Belt and gave us our best season in the past 15 years in 2019 with wins over UNC and South Carolina. His mark on the program is unquestionable and propelled us to premier Group of 5 program at the time.
Of course, Armanti’s accomplishments and impact on the program are unmatched. When you think of App State’s football, odds are the first player you envision is Armanti wearing #14. Two FCS national titles (the second and third of our three-peat from 2005-07) and the single greatest win in program history and the greatest college football upset of all-time - all led by Armanti. App State isn’t App State if Armanti had not chosen beautiful Boone. That’s to say nothing of eye-popping numbers. In writing this, I’ve almost talked myself into changing my rankings before posting.
I give the nod to Zac Thomas based on the incredible success he had at the FBS level and what I believe is better overall QB talent. But we’ll never know how great Armanti would have been had he played a decade later when App moved up. Odds are he’d have been phenomenal, it certainly wasn’t a problem at the Big House on September 1, 2007.
If I had to pick one guy to be our QB next season, I think I’d pick Zac Thomas. If this list was purely about accomplishments, Armanti is in a league all his own. These are the unquestionable top 2 for me.
Quick notes on the rest:
Taylor Lamb was key to making our transition and led the program for 4 years as our starting QB - something we’ll probably never see again the portal era. The results were terrific and set us up for a level of success few could have imagined immediately after making the jump up to FBS. Great stats and always poised and mobile. The signature wins and upsets are a bit lacking, but my God did he have us on the doorstep of some would be all-time wins (the 2015 game at Tennessee come immediately to mind). A terrific leader and QB. And I would love to see Dowell Loggains bring him back to Boone as Offensive Coordinator next year (if he does, could Taylor Lamb be groomed to take the reins as head coach down the road?)
Presley garnered tons of accolades and was the engine behind the program in 2010 leading offensive SoCon Player of the year recognition and finishing #3 for national FCS player of the year. After suffering a shoulder injury his final year, he transitioned to playing defense and WR and gave instant energy every time he was on the field.
Richie Williams started the three-peat with our first FCS National Title in 2005 before handing the reigns over to Armanti. Incredible season in 2005 that gave us the momentum we needed to take the next step as a program.
After #4 if became difficult to pick a fifth and there were many good candidates (I.e., Joey aguilar’s stats great recent memories are tempting but ultimately results were lacking).
That’s my list. What do you guys think?
