Rett Daniels has wanted to be an Army football for as long as he can remember.
Daniels watched his first game at Michie Stadium when he was in fourth grade. He started focusing on reaching his goal in seventh grade. Daniels started working out with his father in the family’s garage.
His father, Clay, played safety for West Point from 1997-99. Their chats about Army football had always centered around the lasting friendships built as much as Clay’s playing career. Rett’s uncle, Curt, was also an Army safety from 2002-04.
Rett envisioned the start of his Army journey during a visit Saturday. Daniels received an offer from defensive coordinator Daryl Dixon during the Junior Day. And, it didn’t take the Blue Valley North (Kansas) linebacker to commit to the Black Knights. Daniels joined Army’s 2027 class Monday.
“My dad played there when he was in college and showed me what the brotherhood was like from a young age,” Daniels said. “That was something that I always thought was really cool and that I wanted to be a part of. Some of my dad’s best friends to this day are his Army football buddies.
“The brotherhood was what really drew me towards the program. Also, I love how Army play a tough and physical brand of football.”
Second-generation football players are surprisingly rare at Army. Linebacker Brett Gerena, class of 2025, followed the path of his father, Joe, a quarterback. 2013 Army captain Mike Kime’s father, Bill, was an offensive lineman in the 1980s.
“I feel like being a second-generation Army football player is a huge honor,” Daniels said. “I am extremely blessed to have that opportunity.”
Daniels has seen photos from his dad’s playing days but has never past games. His favorite Army players from the current Jeff Monken era are Cole Christiansen, a two-year captain and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, quarterback Bryson Daily, linebacker Leo Lowin and 2025 starting safeties Casey Larkin and Collin Matteson.
Army is recruiting Daniels as an inside linebacker. His uncle, Curt, helped connect Daniels with Tucker Waugh, Army’s director of recruiting and longtime assistant. Daniels played inside for his entire football career until his sophomore year. He was high safety rolling into the box as a junior and expected to play an outside linebacker similar to Army’s Apache his senior year. Daniels had 110 tackles, 15 for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries (one for TD), an interception and blocked a field goal in 2025.
“I’ve always loved playing Inside linebacker,” Daniels said. “Something that I can bring to the position is the speed/agility of a safety, along with the tackling ability and violence of a linebacker.”
Army first really started recruiting me when I sent my film to Coach Waugh and Coach Romero. They both responded saying that they liked my tape. We continued messaging and I eventually got a junior day invite. After that I would continue to reach out to different Army Coaches and build my relationships with them. The only other service academy to look at me was Airforce. They asked me to fill out a questionnaire.
