BLACK KNIGHTS OFF-SEASON "QUIETLY HECTIC" - 2026 WILL BE TOUGH

AD Bryno sat down with reporters on Friday, before the team’s first preseason game against Georgia. This was not a Bryno they were used to talking with. “Reserved and even” was how one newspaper reporter wrote down. It was almost as if that fiery spirit had lost 10,000 BTU’s.

“Guys, I can tell you that we are heading into this campaign with the lowest level of confidence that I have ever had in my 9 seasons.”

“I don’t want to call it a rebuilding-year, but defensively…..let’s just say, if we are going to win games? We are going to have to score a LOT of points.”

“I’m not going to try to sugarcoat anything.” “I really hoped that heading into my 10th year, that we would have a lot more to talk about in the way of accomplishments.” “And unfortunately, I’m not here today to give you any earth shattering proclamations.” “We have our work cut out for us, we will compete like we always have, with everything we’ve got, but at the end of tomorrow?” “I just can’t see us making the bowl season.” “Not this year.”

With that, Bryno waved off questions and headed off to the visitor’s locker room.


BUT WHAT IS BRYNO TALKING ABOUT – A FURTHER LOOK

Transferring OUT – the Black Knights said good bye to RG Mike Johnson who had anchored that position as the starter since the team’s inception. Johnson will finish his career at Stanford. OL/TE Rick Kurz (All American) who spent the first 8 seasons alongside Johnson on the line, has moved on for graduate school at Tennessee.

Ed Buckley, CB the unsung DB who was just the speedy, blue collar guy on the back-end for 9 seasons has gone on to serve in Iraq. OL Noah Utley asked for his release as of last night, he had been on Army’s roster for all 9 seasons, as well. Scholarships have been revoked. 2 to be exact. OL’s Leo Torres and Carey Mulhall received news last night, that they wouldn’t be around for 2026.

Who’s New? – Army did snag a couple of good new freshman during the signing period, however only one signing will help defense. With the departure of many OL’s they’ve been replaced with one Freshman and a few Transfers. Isaiah Prince, Scott Martin, and Jermain Coppola were all signed to give depth and help in pass-protect schemes.

Freshman signees that will help bolster the O-line will be C Josh Oliver and RG Andre Dillard.

The #1 recruited freshman for Army, netted Irv Smith Jr. a tight end. With Chris Cameron’s speed being a huge question mark in an offense led by Rocky Rothrock, Smith Jr. will be a great target for the 2nd year freshman QB. The Knight’s also took a flyer on freshman RB convert, Devine Ozigbo who very much impressed Coach Salter in training camp. Ozigbo will make the 53 man roster.

Overall on offense the Black Knight’s should look fine this year. All of the movement on O-line should actually provide even better pass protection for Rothrock. This will work nice with Huff, Coates and dual duty Tailback, Robert Brookins. You can expect Army to continue to use journeymen, Carlton Fisher and George Thompson to complement the veteran starters. Ozigbo is definitely a wild card.

Defensively, this will be the least talented Black Knights’ defense to have ever taken the field. The defensive front is old and will soon leave a void that could take SOME TIME for Army to recapture. The D Line isn’t dead yet, though. You will still have veteran Army pass rushers John Voit, Doug Bradford and Ray Wright there to bring pressure. And Bryno did sign a couple of DE’s that will give them depth….for at least the 2026 season. Senior-transfer Jackie Battles, who spent his first 9 seasons in the desert with Arizona, brings even more experience and a Championship ring into the locker room. Freshman signee Jaquai Polite will be the “first-in” on Army’s slow movement to getting younger on the defensive front. Polite is strictly a pass-rush specialist who had a really good camp.



And that’s where the good ends and the bad begins for Army’s defense.

You will still see a few of the veteran defenders back there trying to keep the team in games, but it will not go far in a full season’s worth of battle, especially with 6 of those games just within the Independent Conference. Tanker Bryant, James Nachtigal, Keith Morgan, Earl Renner and Ray Shuman will be the heart and soul of this defense. They will be tasked thin though, with very little in talented depth behind them. Here’s a true sign of despair. Marcus Hyatt will spend his final year at Army, as a Safety.

So when Bryno says, “We’re going to have to score A LOT of points”? The offense is there to do it. Can the defense do enough? It’s scary. We understand Bryno’s temperament heading into scrimmages.

This writer feels that Army is heading for their worst season ever. 5-11 and last in the Independent Conference.