Kyle Kloska reports for R-Day in two weeks, embracing the thought of Beast Barracks, West Point’s freshman boot camp.
Kloska is getting a second opportunity at Division I football with Army. If Kloska needed any extra motivation, there’s the chance to play with his brother, Timmy, again.
One year ago, Kloska was prepping for Central Michigan’s preseason camp as a preferred walk-on, offensive lineman. Kloska didn’t appear in a game but a good spring had him prime to make the depth chart at left guard this season. However, there were no guarantees of getting elevated to a scholarship.
Kloska opted to enter the transfer portal with a program in mind.
“I had a lot of conversations with my family about schools and knowing my brother was going to Army, it was my target school,” Kloska said. “I wanted the opportunity to play with my little brother again. I also have always felt called to serve my country.”
Kloska took an unofficial visit to Army Tuesday and committed to defensive line coach Sean Cronin Saturday. Reuniting with his brother, a running back who will play at Army Prep in the fall, was a major influence on his decision.
“I was so excited to learn that I could have the chance to play with him again,” Kloska said. “The rushing attack that we had in high school was elite and knowing I had the chance to make that happen again, I didn’t want to let that chance slip away.”
Army is rarely the beneficiary of the transfer portal. Probably have to go back to Ted Bentler’s transfer from Iowa to play in Army’s 2007 and 2008 seasons as the last impact transfer for the Black Knights. Maybe, Kloska is the next.
“I’m excited for my new journey,” Kloska said. “I think it will be good for me to experience the discipline and hard work that basic training entails. I really do believe I can thrive in that environment as most of my life I have been held to a higher standard than most.”
