Jayden Seay narrowed down his college football recruiting to Army and Navy.
Back-to-back weekend visits to the service academies swayed Seay’s decision process. The Lakota East (Ohio) wide receiver toured Army first for the Knight on the Hudson June 15 and left with a feeling of home.
Seay visited Navy June 21. The next day, Seay was ready to make his commitment. And, Seay made the call to Army.
“When I arrived at Army, I just felt a connection,” Seay said. “West Point is a special place. It is an institution that builds the future leaders of our world. The opportunity to be in such a place to grow as a student athlete is a honor and privilege.
“I also really believe that Coach Monken and staff will help me the best player I can be on and off the field.”
Seay’s connection with coaches, Army’s football facilities, speaking with West Point alumni and that “gut feeling of home” factored into picking Army over Navy.
“The facilities were way beyond my expectations,” Seay said. “West Point’s facilities are every bit of a Power Four level, which was crazy to see.”
Army slotbacks coach and Ohio recruiter Dane Romero built a strong foundation with Seay. Lakota East assistant coaches Eric Morton and Ben Wotama, a former Army paratrooper, also played an important role during Seay’s recruitment.
Seay said he’s talked much about the role of a receiver in Army’s run-first offense with Romero, offensive coordinator Cody Worley and wide receivers coach Aaron Smith.
“Coach Romero said they haven’t ever really had a wide receiver like me who can stretch the field, run routes underneath and also block effectively so they see my skill contributing perfectly within the Army system,” said the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Seay. “So, they are really excited to see me grow in the system and contribute in a way they haven’t really had before.”
Playing football at Lakota East has prepared Seay for the next level, he believes. Former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna is Lakota East’s head coach.
“Coach Kit has been instrumental in my growth,” said Seay, who averaged 22 yards per catch his junior year. “We don’t operate like a high school program. We operate like a Division I program from a culture, practice, expectation and execution standpoint. He is preparing us to play high-level football which is awesome.”
Getting a chance to play high-level football at Army’s historic Michie Stadium is another one of the reasons that Seay picked the Black Knights.
“West Point is near my family roots,” Seay said. “My mom and dad are from Buffalo New York so my grandparents and extended family is all in the New York State area which enables them to come and visit and watch me play.”
