Every few decades a player comes around that transforms a school, a team and a community.  Appalachian State University was lucky enough to have someone like that for the past four years.

Armanti Edwards vaulted the tiny Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school into the national spotlight with an immeasurable amount of talent and knowledge for the game of football.

Edwards undoubtedly transformed the Mountaineers into a national powerhouse by taking part in two of ASU’s three-consecutive national championships and an historic win at No. 5 Michigan in September 2007.

Kyle Comerford | The Appalachian

As Armanti’s Appalachian career came to an end this past season with a national semifinal loss at Montana in December, the question arises – should Armanti’s famous No. 14 be retired?

Edwards is a two-time Walter Payton Award Winner (which is the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy in the FCS).

Edwards became the first player in history to win this coveted award twice. This alone should be enough for enshrinement.

Edwards is also the first player in NCAA Div. I history (FBS or FCS) to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for an additional 4,000 in a career.

This is a phenomenal feat, regardless of what level.

Consider the great Heisman Trophy winners and future NFL Hall of Fame QB’s that have played in the college ranks (i.e. Tim Tebow, Matt Leinart and Roger Staubach to name a few), and Appalachian State’s quarterback ranks ahead of all of them.

Edwards achieved two national championships and an unparalleled, unprecedented win over Michigan.

Edwards completed the three-peat when he took over for graduated Richie Williams following the 2005 national championship, leading them to the next two titles and the brightest spot on his unbelievable résumé: the win at Michigan.

The win was unexpected and beautiful, and it will go down as one of the greatest upsets in college football history.

Edwards was drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft by a local franchise, the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers traded up to grab Edwards with the 89th overall selection, the sixth highest in Appalachian history.

Being too small to play quarterback in the NFL, Edwards switched positions and is now poised for stardom in the Panthers organization as a wide receiver and punt returner.

So, here it is.  Here is the résumé of one of the greatest and most decorated college football players to ever tie up the cleats and hit the gridiron.

Edwards deserves this accolade to add to his trophy case, and I seriously hope he will get it one day.

No. 14 is sacred around these parts, and no one wearing the black and should ever get to don one-four again.

Matt Gorry, a senior political science and journalism major from Hickory, is an intern sports reporter.