ASU# 96 
Gary Tharrington
Number: 96
Class: Jr.
Hometown: Spring Hope, N.C.
High School: Southern Nash
Height: 6-1
Weight: 275
Position: DL
Only a sophomore, Tharrington is the veteran presence on a defensive front decimated by graduation ... has put on 20 pounds from the same time a year ago ... despite the extra bulk, Tharrington usually maintains a quickness advantage versus the linemen charged with blocking him.
2006: Enjoyed a breakout year as a redshirt freshman ... teamed with Marques Murrell to give Appalachian perhaps the most feared DE-tandem in the country for the second-straight season ... ranked second in the league in sacks (7.5 — 5.5 behind Murrell) and third in tackles for loss (15 — two behind Murrell) ... ranked sixth on the team with 62 total tackles (27 solo) ... after starting the season on the bench, played with a vengeance once given the opportunity in the opener at NC State ... finished with seven tackles against the Wolfpack, a figure he matched the following week versus 12th-ranked James Madison ... but his true coming out party came against Mars Hill, which he ravaged for 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks to lead a 41-0 whitewashing ... collected SoCon Freshman of the Week recognition for his efforts versus MHC ... had eight tackles, including one for a loss, in 14-7 win over Wofford ... recorded at least one tackle behind the line of scrimmage in 12-of-15 games ... wound up starting every game after the opener en route to second-team all-conference accolades from the league’s coaches and media.
2005: Redshirted.
High School: Recorded 74 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss as a senior at Southern Nash ... named first-team all-area by Rocky Mount Telegram ... was a two-year starter despite not playing organized football until sophomore year ... coached by Brian Foster ... lettered in football and basketball.
