Carroll (Ohio) running back Dylan Armentrout revealed his top three schools in the middle of June.
Army, Navy and Air Force, the three FBS service academies made Armentrout’s final three. He visited Air Force first in March and then checked out Army and Navy in June.
Armentrout had a little closer connection with one over the other two. Within the first hour of his 10-hour car ride from Ohio to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Saturday, Armentrout called Army tight ends coach Blake Powers with his commitment to the Black Knights.
“I figured I’d commit before my vacation so I could relax knowing I’m committed while I’m on it,” Armentrout said. “He (Powers) was hyped up and told me how excited they (the coaches) were to have me. He told me to text coach (Jeff) Monken and (running backs) coach (Darren) Paige. He also mentioned to say beat Navy but keep the ‘N’ in Navy in lower case or coach Monken would correct me.”
Armentrout said there was “something different” about his Army visit than Navy and Air Force. He had “nothing bad to say about any of them (the academies) at all but it’s just more of just what feels like home and what type of scene you like.”
“You go to Air Force, you have mountains,” Armentrout said. “You go to Navy, you have the water. You go to Army, it’s more of a historical place secluded almost in the woods but it’s also on the Hudson. With that combination, along with the staff, facilities, and new style of offense, that made my decision that much easier.
Armentrout added, “Just the feel you get from being there and knowing how historic of a place it (West Point) is just makes you feel honored to be there. The coaching staff made me feel really welcome and made my visit a great time. I went to Navy about two weeks later and enjoyed my time, but it just didn’t compare to West Point. So when it came time to decide, it was almost a no-brainer.”
Army is gaining one of Ohio’s top 2024 running backs in the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Armentrout. He rushed for a school-record 2,178 yards and scored 21 total touchdowns in Carroll’s run to the state finals. Armentrout likes the direction that Army’s offense is heading with its new shotgun formation.
“What they’re doing at West Point right now is special and I’m blessed to be a part of it,” Armentrout said. “When I went on my visit in early June, they showed me clips of practices and what they’re planning on doing and man, it’s exciting. The way they would be able to use me in different ways is very appealing to me as a recruit.”
Armentrout will carry out his family’s military tradition when he steps on post next summer. He’s had multiple members of family served in the Army, Air Force and Marines. He’s already looking forward to the future.
“West Point is getting a very hard worker and I’m ready to come there and make a difference in one way or another,” Armentrout said.
For now, Armentrout gets to enjoy his vacation after a life-changing decision.
