David Hoyt is on the verge of his first college start but he isn’t thinking about the potential moment at UTSA Friday night.
Hoyt is thinking about one thing – getting better every snap in practice this week.
“In no way have I arrived,” Hoyt said. “I’m still grinding to be the best I can be. I’m nowhere close yet. Nothing beats hard work. I’m just going to continue busting my tail and pushing my brothers so I can be better.”
Hoyt has moved from the right side to left tackle with the uncertain status of starter Shayne Buckingham, who was injured last week against Delaware State and did not play a down in the second half. He’s not considering himself a lock to take the first snaps against UTSA.
“Competition is an ongoing process,” Hoyt said. “Everyone is ready. Everyone is busting their butt.”
Offensive coordinator Drew Thatcher praised Hoyt, who was heavily recruited out of Tampa (Fla.) Catholic, for his hard work and toughness. Hoyt missed spring practice, recovering from a knee injury and was limited early in the preseason.
“While he was recovering from his knee injury, he was always locked in meetings,” Thatcher said. “As he started to get reps, you could just see him get better and better and more confident.”
Hoyt, who received offers from Big Ten schools Illinois and Rutgers among others, said he was always drawn to a future in the military.
“I always wanted to serve regardless of the offers I got,” Hoyt said. “I was going to go to Army. I’ve always wanted to serve and once I found out I can be an officer and play football that was a done deal.
Army’s football brotherhood has helped Hoyt pull through the tough times on the field and the rigors of West Point.
Depth chart watch: Sophomore Noah Short has moved ahead of Ay’Jaun Marshall at slot receiver on the initial depth chart for this week. Short and Marshall started together against Delaware State and could be on the field at the same times vs. UTSA. Senior Jackson Powell has moved to No. 1 at the dog (edge) position. Powell was the started in the Delaware State win, playing 40 of the 68 defensive snaps.
Here’s Army’s initial depth chart for UTSA:
Offense
QB: Bryson Daily, 6-foot, 205, Jr.; Dewayne Coleman, 5-10, 195, Soph.; Champ Harris, 6-2, 193, Fr.
RB: Miles Stewart, 5-10, 195, Jr.; Hayden Reed, 6-foot, 215, Soph.
RB: Jakobi Buchanan, 6-foot, 255, Sr.; Tyson Riley, 6-2, 255, Sr.
WR: Isaiah Alston, 6-4, 195, Sr.; Veshe Daniyan, 6-1, 195, Sr.
WR: Liam Fortner, 6-1, 205, Soph.; Casey Reynolds, 6-2, 195, Jr.
Slot Receiver: Noah Short, 6-foot, 190, Soph.; Ay’Jaun Marshall, 5-11, 185, Sr.
TE: Josh Lingenfelter, 6-3, 250, Sr.; David Crossan, 6-3, 250, Jr.
LT: David Hoyt, 6-4, 315, Jr.; Boobie Law, 6-4, 305, Sr.
LG: Jackson Filipowicz, 6-3, 295, Sr.; Sam Barczak, 6-2, 305, Sr.
C: Brady Small, 6-foot, 309, Fr.; Beau Lombardi, 6-2, 300, Sr.
RG: Lucas Scott, 6-3, 305, Jr.; Tanner Bivins, 6-1, 290, Soph.
RT: Connor Finucane, 6-4, 315, Sr.; Shayne Buckingham, 6-4, 305, Sr.
Defense
DE: Austin Hill, 6-1, 255, Sr.; Nate Smith, 6-3, 265, Sr.
NT: Kyle Lewis, 6-3, 280, Jr.: Darius Richardson, 6-2, 300, Sr.
DE: Chris Frey, 6-5, 265, Sr.; Jack Latore, 6-5,, 280, Soph.
DOG/EDGE: Jackson Powell, 6-foot, 237, Sr.; Trey Sofia, 6-6, 240, Jr.
Apache: Jimmy Ciarlo, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Chance Keith, 5-11, 200, Jr.
ILB: Leo Lowin, 6-1, 210, Sr.; Cam O’Gara, 6-foot, 225, Sr.
ILB: Spencer Jones, 6-1, 225, Sr.; Kalib Fortner, 6-1, 220, Soph.
CB: Jabari Moore, 5-11, 191, Sr., Damon Washington, 5-11, 195, Jr.
CB: Cameron Jones, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Bo Nicolas-Paul, 5-11, 180, Sr.
S: Quindrelin Hammonds, 6-foot, 188, Sr.; Aaron Bibbins, 6-1, 194, Sr.
S: Max DiDomenico, 6-foot, 215, Jr.; Casey Larkin, Soph., 6-foot, 195
Special teams
Kicker: Cole Talley, 6-foot, 205, Sr. or Quinn Maretzki, 5-11, 195, Sr.
Punter: Cooper Allan, 6-2, 214, Soph. or Billy Boehlke, 6-foot, 196, Sr.
Long snapper: Cole McCutcheon, 5-11, 205, Sr.; Austin Hill, 6-1, 255, Sr.
KR: Miles Stewart, 5-10,, 195, Jr.; Cameron Jones, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Bo Nicolas-Paul, 5-11, 180, Sr.
PR: Cameron Jones, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Jabari Moore, 5-11, 191, Sr.
