Recruiting: Army commitment ‘opportunity of lifetime’ for Illinois DE Tommy Ghislandi

Tommy Ghislandi caught Army coach Jeff Monken checking out one of his reps at Black Knights prospect camp in early June.

Ghislandi sensed Monken watching him the rest of the camp. The Loyola Academy (Illinois) defensive end impressed winning five of his six 1-on-1 drills. When camp finished, Ghislandi was offered by Army’s coaching staff.

A fan of West Point since he was nine years old, Ghislandi’s recruiting was wide open before the camp. Air Force had offered and Ghislandi was considering. But, West Point proved to be a place that Ghislandi couldn’t pass up. Ghislandi committed to the Black Knights on June 28.

“What really drew me to the place was the brothership and history of West Point,” Ghislandi said. “I have been a fan of West Point since I was a kid so it was a dream to get the opportunity to play there. With how great the coaching staff is, we created a great relationship over time, which led me to commit.”

How much interest did Ghislandi have in West Point? He centered school projects and class assignments around his love for West Point.

Ghislandi, who plans to visit Army on July 26, is the second Loyola Academy player to join the Black Knights’ 2025 recruiting class. Linebacker Charlie Daly, one of Ghislandi’s best friend, committed last month.

“He (Daly) honestly had a good part in my recruiting process and telling me about West Point,” Ghislandi said. “He didn’t have to persuade me to commit to a school like West Point.”

Ghislandi may focused more school projects and assignments on West Point his senior year. Now, he knows the academy will be his next home.