Every Army football player is keenly focused on the upcoming game with Navy next Saturday.
But, even so, redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Jack Bousum might have a little bit more to play for when the two arch-rivals take to the field at M&T Bank Stadium to decide the Commander-in-Chief Trophy winner.
Bousum, who was named to the third team American Conference list on Tuesday, grew up in the shadows of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. There are people from his neighborhood and St. Mary’s High School who attend Navy and some play for the football team and others work for the academy.
Even, some family members and close friends are fans of the Midshipmen and would otherwise be rooting for them to extend their one-game winning streak over the Black Knights.
Bousum said he was even recruited by the Naval Academy to play football there. And, while he has a great deal of respect for the school, he decided his fortunes were better served by attending West Point and striving to contribute to the Army football team.
“Like everyone else who lives in Annapolis, I grew up going to the games there and rooting for the team,” said Bousum, who spent a year at USMAPS. “I even had all those Navy hats and hoodies, but got rid of them when I chose to attend Army.
“Navy recruited me and I grew up around the school and the football team. But, I wanted to expand and try something new. I loved the staff at Army, loved the academy and just thought that Army was a better place to serve and to play football.”
The fact that the game is being played only about 40 miles from his hometown is making one of college football’s most storied rivalries even more exciting for the 6-4, 268-pound lineman, who wears number 99.
“I think every player on my team has the same passion for the game,” Bousum added. “For myself, I have been thinking about this game all season. I am super excited to be a part of it and have a lot of family and friends going. The fact that it is in Baltimore makes it more of a thing. The fact is I am really excited to be playing in this game and representing Army.
The Navy game also culminates a dramatic return from a severe injury Bousum suffered before the start of the 2024 season. Two years ago, as a plebe, he served on the scout team and Bousum was hopeful he would he get some playing time last season. But, a summertime injury to his right knee required surgery to re-attach a bone and he was forced to miss last season’s 12-2 campaign and even had to stay home for the fall semester to recover.
“The doctors projected a six-to-nine month recovery,” he said. “I did rehab at home last fall and returned to school in January and picked up that rehab with the team and the trainers here. The trainers were super helpful and really pushed me and got me ready to play.”
Still, he was not 100 percent for spring ball. But, by the preseason practice in August, he was raring to go. After playing but not starting in the Tarleton State game on opening night, Bousum has been a fixture on an oft-injured but resilient defensive line, starting the last 10 games of the season.
Thus far, Bousum has registered 24 tackles, 10 solo and 6.5 for losses, three sacks and five quarterback hurries.
“Jack Bousum, I’m particularly proud of,” said Army coach Jeff Monken. “He played his first college football snap this year. He hadn’t played in any college football games before this season. He’s really grown and improved and I’m looking forward to the future with him.”
Bousum, who is classified as a sophomore because of his injury and time off, spreads credit for his return around.
“This has been an opportunity to contribute to the team and fight for wins and playing in a game like this one is totally awesome,” Bousum said, noting the support he got from defensive line coach Allen Smith and defensive coordinator Nate Woody, as well as the strength & conditioning coaches. “The coaches did a great job working on corrections and techniques and my teammates really help each other out.”
Bousum comes from a football family. His grandfather John and father John, who goes by the name Chip, were tight ends at Dartmouth and Bucknell, respectively. One cousin played at Holy Cross and another played for Michigan State.
“I am just so excited to be where I am,” Bousum said, noting he also had offers from several Ivy League schools and Bucknell. “I love the values and the things that I have learned here. West Point is the place to go to be the best person you can possibly be.”
