Phillip Goodrich couldn’t have picked two better Army football players to get a look into his college future.
Goodrich spoke with Army captains and inside linebackrs Kalib Fortner and Andon Thomas during his official visit, which included the Black Knights win over Temple on Nov. 8.
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“It was great hearing how much they love the team and the coaches and the academy as a whole,” said Goodrich, who also talked to freshman linebacker Elijah Easley. “They all have had different paths and said it’s not an
easy path but it’s definitely worth it.”
Army teams have featured a long line of top inside linebackers during the Jeff Monken era – Andrew King, Jeremy Timpf, James Nachtigal, Cole Christiansen, Jon Rhattigan, Arik Smith, Leo Lowin, Fortner and Thomas.
Goodrich could be one of the next. The St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) senior and former Navy commit announced his commitment to Army Tuesday.
What made Army a better choice over Navy?
“The athletic facilities, alumni, campus, ” Goodrich said. “I was completely blown away with the experience and everything I saw. I’ve never felt like that before visiting anywhere and it stuck with me that Army West Point is the place for me.”
Goodrich, who is one of four Aquinas captains, received five Power Four offers during the recruiting process. Michigan offered Goodrich after he earned linebacker MVP honors at the Wolverines’ camp in June 2024.
Indiana, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Wake Forest also offered Goodrich along with four other American Conference teams – South Florida, Florida Atlantic, East Carolina and Temple.
Goodrich, a two-year starter for St. Thomas Aquinas, the No. 12th-ranked team in the country, had 82 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in his first 11 games as a senior. He also runs in the 4×100 relay and the 100 and 200-meter runs in track.
