BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University football running back Marcus Cox has been tabbed as the nation's No. 25-ranked running back by Athlon Sports.

In its pre-spring rankings of college football's top 75 running backs, Athlon ranked Cox 25th overall and No. 7 among all “Group of Five” conference RBs.

A rising senior, Cox ran for 1,423 yards (5.9 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns in just 12 games as a junior in 2015. He ranked 13th nationally in rushing yards per game (118.6 ypg), 17th in total rushing yards and became the first student-athlete in Appalachian State history to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

The 5-10, 200-pounder had eight 100-yard rushing games last season, highlighted by his 162-yard performance in the Mountaineers' historic 31-29 win over Ohio in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, where he was named the game's Bart Starr MVP.

The two-time all-Sun Belt Conference honoree has racked up 4,088 yards on the ground in just 36 career games and is on pace to shatter Appalachian State's all-time record of 4,804 rushing yards, set by Kevin Richardson from 2004-07.

Cox is the second Mountaineer to be recognized by Athlon this offseason. Last month, junior quarterback Taylor Lamb was named the nation's No. 20 signal-caller going into the 2016 season.

Appalachian State opens the 2016 campaign on Sept. 3 at Tennessee. Season tickets for the Mountaineers' highly anticipated six-game home slate, which includes a visit from five-time national champion Miami (Fla.) on Sept. 17, are on sale now. Click HERE for information and to purchase season tickets online.