Zane Tallman never stopped working to achieve his goal of playing high-level college football.
Tallman didn’t have an FBS offer entering his senior season at Liberty (Ariz.) High. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound linebacker/safety earned a full-time starting position on a team that finished No. 12 in USA Today’s Super 25 national rankings.
Tallman’s strong senior season (83 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries in 34 of 52 possible quarters played) made for an impressive highlight tape that the Army coaching staff came across.
Army defensive line coach Sean Cronin presented Tallman with his first FBS offer on December 21. Tallman visited West Point with his family last weekend and committed to Army Wednesday.
“It (the visit) was absolutely amazing,” said Tallman, who helped Liberty to a 2023 state championship. “It’s (Army) is one of the most prestigious and great Division I colleges in the country. There was a really simple decision to be made for my future.”
What else attracted Tallman to Army?
“The amazing football facilities, their amazing coaching staff and fan base,” Tallman said.
Army is recruiting Tallman for as an- apache, a hybrid outside linebacker/safety position that Jimmy Ciarlo has played the last two seasons. Tallman is the third Arizona commit of Army’s 2024 class joining Hamilton defensive back Jaylen Jones and Mohave linebacker Jonathon Williams. He played football since he was five years old.
“I love the sport,” Tallman said. “I love that it comes with such relationships and opportunity.”
