Former App State starting defensive end Elijah Diarrassouba announced his retirement from football in a Tweet on Tuesday. The Tweet has since been deleted. 

“He’s what Appalachian State is all about. A guy that comes in and works hard, a blue-collar worker,” head football coach Shawn Clark said. “That’s a big hole to fill, not just on the football field but in a leadership role.”

The announcement comes after battling a hip injury for much of the 2019 season. Diarrassouba declined to comment when reached over the phone by The Appalachian. 

“It’s time for me to hang ‘em up and move on,” Diarrassouba wrote in the original Twitter post. 

The Greensboro native was a redshirt junior in 2019 and started in 12 games. Diarrassouba recorded 20 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks on the season and helped lead a defense that ranked in the top 25 in FBS in points allowed per game and sacks. 

For his career, Diarrassouba made 25 starts, played in 37 games and recorded 39 total tackles, including six for loss and 2.5 sacks. 

Diarrassouba was expected to be a key member of the defensive line as a redshirt senior in 2020. 

Diarrassouba finishes his Mountaineer career as a four-time Sun Belt champion and four-time bowl champion.

“We’re excited for Soub and his next mission with life…” Clark said. “We’ll support him 100%.”