Players have been picked and coaches have been divided into two teams.
Army spring football will commence with the annual Black and Gold game at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Michie Stadium.
Essentially, it’s Army’s first-team offense and second-team defense against its first-team defense and second-team offense.
Coach Jeff Monken was asked what players have stepped up this spring during Thursday’s Coaches Show. Monken provided a detailed answer.
Here’s some of the insight:
Sophomores Donavon Platt and Jaydan Mayes “have pushed themselves to the top of the depth chart” at cornerback, where Army graduates its top three players at position.
Junior Trey Gronotte has stepped up as Army’s No. 1 kicker with the graduation of Quinn Maretzki and Cole Talley.
The move back to under-center option has returned juniors A.J. Williams and Jarel Dickson to fullback (B-back). Williams played tight end and Dickson running back in a shotgun scheme last season.
“With this transition back to under center, they (Williams and Dickson) are going to have a role and are going to help us,” Monken said.
Quarterbacks Cale Hellums and Dewayne Coleman were among the players that Monken said have improved this spring. The battle for Army’s No. 2 quarterback behind returning starter Bryson Daily will continue in the preseason this summer. Zach Mundell has been injured during spring practice and will also be in the mix.
On the defensive line, freshman Jack Bousum has gained 50 pounds since entering academy, Monken said. Bousum was a scout-team player last season. “Guys like that are stepping up and are going to help us,” Monken said.
Other players mentioned by Monken as having a good spring (doesn’t mean this is everyone) were sophomore slotback Noah Short, freshman offensive linemen Henry Appleton and Paolo Gennarelli, freshman outside linebacker Elo Modozie, freshman tight end Parker Poloskey.
Monken said summed up goals for spring game: “You get a chance to see them (the players) in a game situation. There’s not a coach standing right behind them, giving them coaching points and reminding them of things. They have to go out there and perform and we are going to find out a lot about the guys that I have talked about (above).”
Sophomore tight end Blane Cleaver announced todays that he’s entering the transfer portal.
