Joe Callerame seemed ready to decide on his college football destination about a month ago.
Callerame was leaning toward Army, his father Jim’s alma mater, until running into a Navy coach at a camp. He decided to give Navy, which had offered him after Army, a further look. That prompted Callerame to extend his research on service academies as well Ivy League schools that had shown interest.
The Seton Catholic (Wash.) running back went back and forth with pros and cons of each school a week before some advice from a friend.
Callerame advised him think about the “most important things” in his search. He compared the culture of both Army and Navy, the degrees from each academy and where he could see himself.
”Those all went to Army,” Callerame said.
After debating with his parents three hours a day for a week, Callerame was ready to make the decision on his own.
While his parents thought Navy had moved to the top of the list, Callerame came home Friday and informed them he’d committed to Army.
”They were both super happy and excited for me and my dad was so happy that he tried to play it cool and told my mom how happy he was when I wasn’t in the room,” Callerame said.
Callerame chose to follow the path of his father, a 1989 West Point graduate, sprint football player and club boxer. He grew up watching Army football and coach Jeff Monken with his father on television. Callerame attended Army’s home game against UMass two years ago.
”It’s an absolute blessing to be given this opportunity,” Callerame said.
Army is recruiting Callerame to play slotback. He believes the position fits him, “perfectly.”Callerame accounted 20 touchdowns his junior season. He rushed for eight touchdowns, caught eight TDs, threw for one score and returned two kicks to the house and one punt return.
“There is a little bit of everything (at slotback), which is what I do at my school already with route running, taking handoffs and pitches, and also blocking,” Callerame said “So, I couldn’t ask for a better role to play at college.”
Callerame posted his commitment edit on Instagram with the caption “Runs in the family.” Sounds fitting.
