Landin Hoeppner’s Army football recruitment started by accident.
Hoeppner’s Twitter (now X) account was hacked and he mistakenly messaged Black Knights running backs coach Blake Powers.
Conversation was sparked and a common bond was discovered in former college coach Terry Lee Hoeppner, the cousin of Landin’s grandfather and Powers’ head coach at Indiana from 2004-06.
Powers checked out the younger Hoeppner’s junior-year film at Leo (Ind.) High and contacted him in December 2023 to check his interest in playing for Army. Hoeppner received an offer from Powers in March.
Army remained near the top of Hoeppner’s list following an April visit and into June. Hoeppner committed to Powers Monday as a safety.
“When deciding on West Point I realized, there was no other school that could set me up for life after football like West Point could, obviously, the great education, along with the very high level of football,” Hoeppner said. “Since I was a kid, I always wanted to play at a high level and promised myself I would. When this opportunity came about, it just seemed too good to pass up.”
Hoeppner’s commitment continued Army’s surge into the Hoosier State for the Class of 2025. Hoeppner trains with 2025 Army commit and Columbia City (Ind.) wide receiver-running back Stratton Fuller and play against each other in the same conference.
Hoeppner said his early April visit was an eye-opener and he left West Point “shocked” in the best of ways.
“The campus itself was surreal,” Hoeppner said. “I believe pictures don’t do Army West Point enough justice because after getting out there and learning about the history and legacy of West Point you quickly realize that it’s hard to be a place like West Point. They have an Ivy League education with P4 (Power Four) football in my eyes.”
Hoeppner’s respect for the program and coaches grew after his offer. A few Big Ten schools and multiple Mid-American Conference programs showed “real interest” but Army looked past “stereotypes” and was the only FBS team to pull the trigger and offer. Safeties coach Danny Verpaele thinks the 6-foot, 185-pound Hoeppner has the versatility to play cornerback or nickelback later in his college career.
Hoeppner has a strong Christian faith and “trust in God” played an important role in his life and believes “God is the reason I am where I am today.” Sports have also been a constant for Hoeppner from “a very young age.” Hoepper ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds at UIndy Mega Camp earlier this month.
