John R. Settle (born June 2, 1965 in Reidsville, North Carolina), is currently the running backs coach for the Wisconsin Badgers. He is also a former professional American football player. A 5'9", 207-lb. undrafted running back from Appalachian State University, Settle attended Rockingham County High School and played for the Atlanta Falcons from 1987 to 1990. During the 1988 NFL season, he was selected to the 1988 Pro Bowl after rushing for a career high 1,024 yards and 7 touchdowns. He was the first undrafted running back in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.

I remember watching him play in the early to mid 80s at App. Lots of fun to watch!

I was at App from '82-86. Didn't we have a completely ridiculous home record during those years (and maybe a little after)? Settle was a huge reason, a beast of a back and probably could have put up numbers at lots of bigger schools.

bigdaddyg wrote:I was at App from '82-86. Didn't we have a completely ridiculous home record during those years (and maybe a little after)? Settle was a huge reason, a beast of a back and probably could have put up numbers at lots of bigger schools.

I was also there from '82 to 86. I don't know about the home record during that time but overall we weren't very good until '85. '82 was rough but was the last year for Mike Working. Settle was a beast, especially his senior year when he had close to 1,700 yards and 20 TD (yeah, I googled it).

1982: 4-7
1983: 6-5
1984: 4-7
1985: 8-3
1986: 9-2

He must love coaching at Wisconsin. This would be his second stint there.

He scored a TD in that Pro Bowl he played in... 2 Apps on the roster that year. Hackett made it, but couldn't play because of injury. Only 1 school had more than 2 players on that team. That was back when it actually meant something to make a pro bowl team.

bigdaddyg wrote:I was at App from '82-86. Didn't we have a completely ridiculous home record during those years (and maybe a little after)? Settle was a huge reason, a beast of a back and probably could have put up numbers at lots of bigger schools.

I was a freshman at App in 1985. That's the year the football team became pretty good.

86 was my last year in uniform before the injuries just became too much. I had a chance to suit up with some great guys. I was actually good friends with John's future wife before they met. He had a good pro carrer with the aforementioned Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl ring with the Redskins, though he was injured with a broken sternum in the pre-season. He's had a great career since, with coaching stints with the Browns, Ravens, Fresno State, U of Pitt, Wisconsin and even the Panthers. One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

AppState89 wrote:

bigdaddyg wrote:I was at App from '82-86. Didn't we have a completely ridiculous home record during those years (and maybe a little after)? Settle was a huge reason, a beast of a back and probably could have put up numbers at lots of bigger schools.

I was a freshman at App in 1985. That's the year the football team became pretty good.

I was probably thinking the wrong time period. You guys are right. From about '85 through the late 80's we ran off a pretty good home string- I think.

Settle was a stud and one heck of a nice guy. He had a couple of stud lead blockers in Cliff Reid and John Edmond as well both were tough as nails!

I have a framed print in my office commemorating the '86 SoCon championship. It's signed by Settle, Hackett and Sparky. One of my favorite pieces of App memorabilia.

We did our internships at the same time at the courthouse in Boone.... went to Atlanta to see him play...I need to find the pics....they are somewhere.

I was a freshman in '85 as well Mr. 89. We flat turned that program around didn't we!!! Loved watching Settle and Hackett. Another cool stat on Settle was he was the first undrafted free agent to make the pro bowl. Not sure how much that has happened since.

Lowcountry App wrote:I have a framed print in my office commemorating the '86 SoCon championship. It's signed by Settle, Hackett and Sparky. One of my favorite pieces of App memorabilia.

I have one of those, also. It'll be passed to my son when my time/work is done in this world.

I also have one!!

My claim to fame as a collage football player has always been that I got run over by a NFL pro bowl running back. John was that guy.