Luke Sutphen has wanted to play Army football and attend West Point since middle school.
Sutphen would watch Army-Navy games and hear about the academy’s prestige and the football program’s history.
Sutphen’s dreams started to become a reality when his Hun School teammate Aidan Casuccio committed to Army’s 2023 recruiting class. Sutphen pleaded with Casuccio to spread the word about him to Army’s area recruiting coach.
Army coach Jeff Monken, himself, would call Sutphen with an offer to play for the Black Knights. Monken and his coaching staff built a bond with Sutphen that couldn’t be matched.
After multiple visits to Army, Sutphen made the decision earlier this month to join his former teammate and commit to the Black Knights.
“I saw all of the amazing opportunities that I would be exposed to (during his visits) and I would be an idiot not to say yes to the school,” said Sutphen, who is being recruited to play inside linebacker. “I am more than grateful to be given this opportunity and realize how fortunate I am.
Sutphen added, “While I was exploring other options, no other coaching staff would connect with me like the coaches at West Point. They treated me like a family member rather than a prospect.
Sutphen’s commitment came down to Army and Navy, he said. Maine, Dartmouth and UPenn also offered Sutphen a chance to play at the FCS level.
“I felt a greater connection with the coaches at Army and saw a sense of family,” Sutphen said. “I also saw myself fit in with the defensive scheme better. I can see myself doing a great job in the scheme. They said they need a lengthy linebacker that can fill holes but also defend the pass with sufficiency and i can do exactly that,”
