Braden River tight end Ryan Neuzil commits to Appalachian State

jdill@bradenton.com

MANATEE -- Braden River senior tight end Ryan Neuzil, who proved a difficult player to defend during the Pirates march to the Class 7A state semifinals last fall, committed to Appalachian State University on Monday.

Neuzil picked the Sun Belt Conference program among his 12 offers, and will join Braden River quarterback Jacob Huesman to the Boone, N.C., school.

"It didn't influence it at all, but it's a great bonus," Neuzil said.

Neuzil, who caught 13 passes for 256 yards in the regular season, said he selected the Mountaineers over Army, Bucknell and Northern Iowa.

He said he chose Appalachian State because of the academics, campus and great football program.

Due to last weekend's winter storm, his official visit was moved to this upcoming weekend.

National Signing Day, the first day that football players make their college choices official by signing a national letter of intent, is Wednesday, Feb. 3.

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 10:24 PM with the headline "Braden River tight end Ryan Neuzil commits to Appalachian State ."