Gossett tabbed as one of college football’s best

Article courtesy of Forsyth County News

A former Forsyth County football star has earned high praise heading toward the start of his redshirt junior season.

Colby Gossett, who played at North Forsyth between 2009-12, was named the No. 69 best college football player on Pro Football Focus’ list of the top 101 players heading into the 2016 season. Gossett, who has played guard and tackle for the Appalachian State Mountaineers, is recognized by Pro Football Focus (PFF) as the seventh best offensive lineman in the nation.

PFF’s take: “Gossett had some impressive run blocks in Appalachian’s zone-blocking scheme last year as he played an almost even split between right guard (420) and right tackle (433). His overall run blocking grade of +37.4 led all guards and tackles and he only surrendered nine pressures on his 332 attempts in pass protection.”

Complicated numbers aside, Gossett shifted along the offensive line last season and helped the Mountaineers win 10 games in their first season of eligibility in the Sun Belt Conference. The 6-foot-6, 315 pound bulldozer helped Appalachian State average 268.8 yards on the ground and 201.8 through the air, while also allowing only nine total sacks as a team.

Along with the company along the offensive line, Gossett was also placed on the list higher than many big name college football stars including Elijah Hood (North Carolina), Brad Kaaya (Miami, FL), Cameron Sutton (Tennessee), James Conner (Pittsburgh), Jalen Hurd (Tennessee), Josh Rosen (UCLA) and Gunner Kiel (Cincinnati).

Gossett was also the only Sun Belt Conference player on the list and just one of 16 from a non-Power 5 school.

PFF, which launched in 2007, uses advanced statistics and analytics to offer alternative evaluation of professional and collegiate football players. The site is often referenced by major sports media outlets.

Gossett will hit the field for his junior season on Thursday, Sept. 1, in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, against the Tennessee Volunteers.

Below is a complete list of offensive lineman mentioned in PFF’s college football 101:

Pro Football Focus 101 Best College Players (Offensive Lineman only)

29. Pat Elflein, G, Ohio State

36. Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

39. Forrest Lamp, OT, Western Kentucky

45. Zach Banner, OT, Southern Cal

52. Chase Roullier, G, Wyoming

60. Tyler Orlosky, C, West Virginia

69. Colby Gossett, G/T, Appalachian State

75. Wyatt Teller, G, Virginia Tech

77. Tyler Crosby, OT, Oregon

94. Quentin Nelson, G, Notre Dame

You can read the article in its entirety at the following link: www.profootballfocus.com/college-pff-101-best-players-fournette-mccaffrey-garrett/