Appalachian State

The Mountaineers enter 2026 with a gaping hole at quarterback after losing JJ Kohl (81.8 PPA) to FIU via the transfer portal. Appalachian State's JP+ rating of -5.6 points (#100 nationally) reflects the uncertainty, with both offense (-2.8, #99) and defense (-2.8, #105) grading as significant weaknesses. The portal turnover was substantial — 41 departures costing 167.3 PPA versus 36 arrivals adding just -9.1 PPA — headlined by the losses of receivers Davion Dozier (33.5 PPA) to NC State and Jaden Barnes (30.5 PPA) to Charlotte. Incoming quarterbacks Malachi Singleton from Purdue and Tommy Ulatowski from Kennesaw State will compete to replace Kohl, while running back J'Marion Burnette arrives from Houston to bolster the ground game.

JP+ projects just 1.5 wins for the Mountaineers in what appears to be a rebuilding year, with tough matchups against NC State and East Carolina on the road plus a home date with Charlotte. The offensive struggles are compounded by a defense that ranks 105th nationally, creating little margin for error as the new signal-caller adjusts to his new surroundings. If Singleton or Ulatowski can quickly establish chemistry with the remaining receivers and the defense shows unexpected improvement, Appalachian State might exceed those modest expectations. If not, it could be a long season in Boone.