As fall camp approaches in the coming weeks around the state of North Carolina, every school has something to prove. For UNC, it's proving that an ACC title and BCS birth are within reach. For N.C. State, it's proving that Tom O'Brien can live up to the hype and make the Pack a legitimate player in the conference. For ECU, it's proving that Ruffin McNeill won't allow a major letdown within the Pirate football program after Skip Holtz left for USF.

In Boone, N.C. this fall, App State can't escape questions surrounding the Mountaineer football program either. The graduation of four-year starter and All-American, Armanti Edwards, has left a massive question mark on the team as many wonder what direction the program will turn after the departure of the catalyst for one of the nation's most potent offenses over the past four seasons. The questions are fair, given the context of Edwards' thumbprint on the team.

• The only two-time winner of the Walter Payton Award as the NCAA Division I FCS Player of the Year (2008 and ’09)

• First four-time all-American in school history

• Two-time SoCon Offensive Player of the Year (2008 and 2009)

• Only player in NCAA Division I (FCS and FBS) history with 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in a career

• Only player in NCAA Division I (FCS and FBS) history with 9,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in a career

• Only player in NCAA Division I FCS history (second in Division I overall) with 8,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in a career
 
• Second in NCAA Division I FCS history with 14,753 yards of total offense (behind only Steve McNair’s 16,823 at Alcorn State, 1991-94)
 
• Second in NCAA Division I FCS history in rushing yards by a quarterback (4,361) 

• Led ASU to two NCAA Division I Football national championships (2006 and 2007)

 •Only quarterback in SoCon history to lead team to four conference championships 

• Third quarterback in SoCon history to lead team to three conference championships
 
• Ranks first in SoCon history in career passing yards (10,392) and fifth in career rushing yards (4,361) 

• Was 42-7 in 49 career starts

• Holds 64 school records and 14 Southern Conference records


Simply, there's no replacing a player like Armanti Edwards. Edwards had the rare ability to will his team to victory, all while playing a sport that is predicated on neutralizing individual performances. After all, it's 11-on-11 on the field. Yet, if fans are looking for the second-coming of Armanti, keep looking because it's not coming any time in the near future.

App State fans shouldn't hit the panic button though. Just four seasons ago, many of the same questions surrounded the program. ASU was coming off its first national title in program history and was unsure of how it could possibly stay atop the national title heap after the graduation of stalwart signal-caller Richie Williams. Williams helped to lead ASU on the wings of his strong arm and ability to scramble in the new spread-option offense installed during his junior season. While the Apps had junior QB Trey Elder to turn to, a few late-game snaps by true freshman Armanti Edwards against N.C. State was the start of what would turn to be a record-breaking career.

By week three, Edwards was the starter and never turned the job back over during his time in Boone as he catapulted himself into legendary status. Much the same as fans questioned the next step after Richie Williams' graduation, today people look back at Edwards and think, "How do we replace that?"  To me, it's like a novel. You get to a certain point in the story and you think that you've reached the climax of the book, only to turn the page to see the story takes another unexpected twist that keeps the story alive and fresh.

For ASU, this season QB's Jamal Jackson and DeAndre Presley will write the next chapter in App's football story. Jackson, a redshirt freshman, impressed me immensely last season as he ran the practice squad offense. At 6' 3" and 195 lbs. Jackson represents a rare talent at the FCS level. His arm strength, accuracy, and pocket presence is especially impressive for his age and experience. Presley is more in the mold of Edwards with a smaller, more athletic frame than Jackson. He has great touch and accuracy, but lacks the strength Jackson is noted for. Yet, Presley also possesses great speed and athleticism that can keep defenses honest. By all accounts, the QB competition is neck and neck and it should come down to the final days of fall camp before a starter is named.

Either way, App State should be in good hands regardless of who is behind center. Both QB's possess great skills and talent, but just don't expect them to stack up to the incomparable Edwards.  Just as Edwards was a polar opposite from Richie's personality and style of play, the same is true of Jackson and Presley.  But, if Edwards was able to establish himself and his time at ASU apart from what Richie Williams accomplished before him, then Jackson or Presley should have no trouble creating a legacy all their own as well.