Braden River quarterback Jacob Huesman's switch to Appalachian State over FIU was right fit

EAST MANATEE -- When Jacob Huesman committed to Florida International University last summer, he was set for his next step after completing his senior season at Braden River.

Then last week happened.

Appalachian State, famous for knocking off Michigan when it was a Division I-AA program, offered Huesman last week.

The quarterback, who led Braden River to the Class 7A state semifinals this past season, needed some time to think.

"It all happened so fast," Huesman said. "I did a lot of research about the school and the football program as well. The numbers don't lie. They have a very great school. Really, it was a matter of figuring out which place was better for me as a player and also as a student."

After sleeping on it for a few days and receiving positive feedback from Braden River assistant principal Melissa Gagnon, who had already toured the school in the past, Huesman de-committed from FIU and chose Appalachian State on Saturday.

He'll take an official visit on Jan. 22.

"It was a really hard decision," Huesman said.

Huesman said he discussed the choice with his parents and Braden River coaches before pulling the trigger to commit to the Mountaineers, which is now a Division I program playing in the Sun Belt Conference.

Appalachian State had a quarterback for next year's class in Zeb Noland, but he flipped to Iowa State in December. That paved the way for the Mountaineers to offer Huesman, who completed 67.8 percent of his passes during the regular season last fall.

"Their fan base is wild," Huesman said. "It's in Boone, North Carolina. So it's a small community and everybody rallies behind the football team. They sell out games and the fans go nuts for them, so that's a really good environment to play in."

Huesman said Appalachian State is expecting him to compete for the backup quarterback job as an incoming freshman next summer.

That's something Huesman, who tossed 14 touchdowns against just three interceptions during Braden River's unbeaten regular season last fall, enjoys.

"If that's what they want from me, then that's exactly what I'm going to go do," he said. "I'm a very, very, extremely competitive person."

Appalachian State finished runner-up in the Sun Belt Conference this past year after going 11-2 on the season and 7-1 in conference play.

For Huesman, though, switching from FIU wasn't an easy choice.

"I was on board completely with FIU until, literally, last week when Appalachian State offered me," Huesman said.

In addition to Huesman's official visit on Jan. 22, the Mountaineers are welcoming his Braden River teammate, tight end Ryan Neuzil, for an official visit on Jan. 23.

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 12:46 AM with the headline "Braden River quarterback Jacob Huesman's switch to Appalachian State over FIU was right fit ."