Jeff Monken’s objective each season is for Army to put out its best 11 offensive and defensive players on the field at the same time.
Preseason camp has provided Monken and his staff the opportunity to give important returning players a look at another position to create some flexibility. Some of those were on display during the team’s second scrimmage Saturday.
Returning starting nose tackle and captain Kyle Lewis started the scrimmage at defensive end.
Senior lineman Lucas Scott, who started the last 11 games of 2023 at right guard, has played right tackle in the preseason.
Junior running back Hayden Reed, who was expected to be one of Army’s top fullbacks, lined up at slotback.
Lewis, an athletic interior lineman, could likely line up at nose tackle. But, his flexibility to play defensive end can open up additional line combinations for Army, which likes to rotate players up front.
Monken likes the combination of the experienced Scott at right tackle with sophomore right guard Paolo Gennarelli, who would be seeing his first extended action of his career.
“He (Scott) can play guard,” Monken said. “We know that. I think he’s doing a really good job at tackle. Having Paolo at guard, who we are really confident in playing, side by side (with Scott), that’s a good pair on the right side.”
Monken says Reed’s ability to play slotback could put him on the field with starting fullback Kanye Udoh, slotbacks Noah Short, Tyrell Robinson, Miles Stewart along with quarterback Bryson Daily, giving defenses plenty to account for.
“He’s one of our best football players,” Monken said of Reed. “We want to have him in the game. I anticipate he, Kanye Udoh, Bryson Daily, Miles Stewart and Tyrell Robinson, our best football players in the game at the same time. Hayden will play probably multiple positions. It’s just an opportunity to get him in the game.”
Speaking of Robinson, Monken said Army’s electric running back has yet to practice this season. Robinson is being brought along cautiously after reinjuring his surgically-repaired knee last season.
“He is still going through his rehabilitation,” Monken said of Robinson. “He’s ahead of where we anticipated, which is really positive.
“He had the knee injury two years ago and then had the knee injury again last year on the same knee. We got to make sure he is healthy not only so he can play and have the staying power to make it all the way through the season but also he’s close to commissioning as an officer in the Army. We want to make sure upon graduation is able to commission and move forward and not delayed anymore.”
Roster update: Quarterback Zach Mundell is on a medical leave of absence this semester (this fall) due to an injury that he suffered last spring, Monken said.
Monken said sickness and flu bug hit the defensive line room this week. Defensive ends Andre Miller and Jack Latore were among the players that didn’t play in the scrimmage. Udoh also missed the scrimmage due to sickness. Freshman Nick Buchys moved up to play with the veterans and combined for sack safety.
Senior starting quarterback Bryson Daily lead the first-team offense onto the field to begin scrimmage played the first two series of plays that were scripted. Daily scored a pair of short quarterback sneaks. Daily was followed by Dewayne Coleman, freshman Ethan Washington (1-minute drill) and Cale Hellums on the ‘travel’ squad.
Highlights: Dewayne Coleman threw two touchdown passes – a 10-yard toss to Cam Schurr and 6-yard TD to Casey Reynolds. Sophomore slotback Samari Howard broke off a 30-yard run and caught a 24-yard TD pass from Cale Hellums. Mitch Bolden connected on a deep pass to freshman receiver Brady Anderson for the scouts against Army’s ones. Freshman slotback Ben Gibbs had a big run and reception during the second half of scrimmage. Freshman Bryson Hosea makes a 43-yard field goal.
No surprise. Jabril Williams hustled down field to down a punt inside the 2-yard line. Asked Monken about how Williams is progressing as a cornerback.
“That was a terrific play and he takes so much pride in that,” Monken said of Williams. “He’s come along as a depth player at corner. He’s not a starter, may not be a backup. He’s a guy that we thought, ‘Maybe, he’ll just be a special teams player.’ He’s had a good camp and I know coach (Daryl) Dixon is encouraged with the progress at his defensive position. Hopefully, we’ll use him as a guy for depth at corner or some other place.”
Depth chart (from my scrimmage observations):
First team offense: QB Bryson Daily, FB Jake Rendina, SB Noah Short, SB Miles Stewart; WR Liam Fortner, TE David Crossan; LT Boobie Law/Connor Finucane, LG Bill Katsigiannis, C Brady Small, RG Paolo Gennarelli; RT Lucas Scott
First-team defense: DE Kyle Lewis; NT Cody Winokur; DE Deshontez Gray; LB Elo Modozie; LB Kalib Fortner; LB Andon Thomas; Apache Chance Keith; CN Donavon Platt; CB Damon Washington; S Max DiDomenico; S Casey Larkin
Second-team offense: QB Dewayne Coleman; FB AJ Williams/Carson Smith/Corey Singleton; SB Hayden Reed; SB Samari Howard/David Clerk; WR Casey Reynolds/Tobi Olawole; TE Parker Poloskey; LT Henry Appleton, LG Braden Bartosh; C Lane Parks, RG Will Jeffcoat; RT David Hoyt
