Malcolm Robertson listened to Jeff Monken talk about West Point’s history in the coach’s office Saturday.
In the back of Robertson’s mind, the Dexter Southfield (Mass.) linebacker was hoping that Monken would talk more about his football future.
Robertson’s meeting was ending and he was about to return with the other recruits on Junior Day when Monken said he “forgot one last thing.”
Monken offered Robertson the opportunity to play for the Black Knights.
After processing what just happened, Robertson asked Monken if he could immediately commit. Monken said yes and Robertson became the first member of Army’s 2026 recruiting class right on the spot.
“Playing football at West Point has been a goal of mine ever since I put the pads on in third grade,” Robertson said. “I’ve been a fan of Army football for as long as I can remember. My mom still has the Army football shirt that I used to wear when it fit almost every day for three years.”
Whenever the Army-Navy game was on, Robertson and his family were cheering for Army. His uncle, Charlie Robertson served in the Army.
“I don’t know how I really became a fan,” said Robertson, who is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. “Every kid wants to be in the military. It’s why every kid has the green Army men. You know in kindergarten when they ask you what you want to be when you grow up, I always said I wanted to serve in the Army.”
Robertson said fulfilling his lifelong goal proves his father Andy’s point about putting in the hard work toward the achievement.
“(He says), that goals are for people, who take action, and dreams are for people, who hope, and hope isn’t a strategy,” Robertson said.
Army is recruiting Robertson to play inside linebacker. Robertson also received offers from UMass and Lehigh and the opportunity to play for Brown of the Ivy League. He was invited by Army and attended the Black Knights’ 2024 season opener against Lehigh. Robertson met linebackers coach John Loose, his recruiter, there. He connected with Loose after his junior season and received the Junior Day invite. Robertson, who had a pick six and blocked punt for a touchdown during his junior season, takes pride in being Army’s first 2026 commit.
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I’d say doesn’t give me a feeling but more of a sense of responsibility to represent West Point well and to promote the school and why I love it to other recruits,” Robertson said.
