Samari Howard has learned an important quality to have as a FBS football player.
After a strong preseason scrimmage, Howard, an Army sophomore running back, stayed humble about his performance. Howard had broken off a couple gashing plays on the ground and in the air.
“It wasn’t too high,” Howard said. It wasn’t too low. I’m just glad the right plays got called at the right time. When I’m out in open space, it is what it is.”
Every Army season, it seems like a group of returning players, that were on the scout team or didn’t crack the depth chart the previous year, make their mark.
Howard is one of the prime candidates to be one of those X-factors this fall.
Offensive coordinator Cody Worley mentioned Howard as one of those fresh faces in his media availability earlier this week. This was after Howard registered 22 miles an hour on the GPS during Monday’s practice.
Howard has worked his way to second on the depth chart at a deep slotback position that includes Noah Short, Miles Stewart, potentially Hayden Reed and Tyrell Robinson working his way back from injury.
“He’s a gritty kid,” Worley said. “I recruited him out of Temple, Texas. He gives us flexibility. He’s physical. He’s made plays in the pass game. He’s made plays in the run game. He’s good at the point of attack. He’s shown up and done some good things.”
Here’s some more potential X-factors for the Black Knights this season:
Paolo Gennarelli, sophomore guard: Army wants to return to more smash-mouth running and Gennarelli is a “road grater” that is fit for physical play. Gennarelli is one of Army’s strongest players in the weight room.
Elo Modozie, sophomore edge linebacker: Modozie can fill the void of playmakers lost to graduation with his athleticism off the end. Will play important role in pressuring opponent’s quarterbacks
Andon Thomas, junior linebacker: Thomas was pushing for a starting position early last season before injury. Army’s inside linebackers have to be smart and instinctive and Thomas fits the bill.
