Sammy Dunn followed Army football and its 2024 AAC championship run closely before the Black Knights showed interest in the Vigor (Ala.) quarterback.
Dunn was a fan of service-academy football and the level of toughness displayed by Army players.
“Their players are built different,” Dunn said.
After an offer from Army defensive line coach Allen Smith and a home visit, Dunn would learn more about the team’s culture on his first trip to New York earlier this month.
The vibes with Army’s coaching staff were strong. Dunn could see himself “fitting in” at West Point. About week later, Dunn called Army coach Jeff Monken with his commitment to the Black Knights before Vigor’s spring game Friday.
Dunn, who held offers from Southern Mississippi and Louisiana-Monroe, is the first quarterback commit of Army’s 2024 class.
“When they were making some noise in the College Football Playoff and had a chance to make it, I was already watching those guys,” Dunn said. “It was a surreal moment to receive the offer and be able to commit.”
Dunn described his West Point visit as a “welcome to the brotherhood moment.” The coaching staff made Dunn knew everything about the program and the academy, he said.
“The coaching staff made me feel like family,” Dunn said. “They are on time. They are prompted. My family and we standby. I can really say it’s a brotherhood like they say.”
Army is adding a “smart, athletic” quarterback in Dunn. The honors student also has played basketball and baseball and wrestled. Army’s flexbone seems to be the right offense for Dunn.
“I really believe being under center is a lost art,” Dunn said. “Especially in high school, you can have an advantage getting under center. I like it. It gives me the ability to drop back in play action and make throws. I’m a dual-threat quarterback. I can also run when needed so I feel like I fit in well.”
Dunn’s Army visit may have been his first to West Point but he’s been to Navy in Annapolis a few times. His grandfather served in the Navy.
“He (his grandfather) love the opportunity that it (Army) presented me,” Dunn said. “I have to train myself to say, ‘Beat Navy’ but it will be alright. He’ll get over it.”
Dunn is entering his fourth season as a high school quarterback, spending the first two years at Bayside Academy in Daphne, Ala. He’s already raring to go at Army. Dunn is going back for his second visit June 10.
“I’m just ready to work,” Dunn said. “I’m glad I got my feet settled somewhere. I love the campus and will be back up there soon.”
“I’ve already received love from the fan base. I can tell they are serious about football and so am I. I feel like it’s the right choice, the right decision and I’m ready to get to work.”
