Last Friday, the Army coaching staff hosted several key recruits at West Point, as the Black Knights open their 2025 season.  However, by the end of that contest … coaches, fans and perhaps even some of the prospects who were on hand were wondering what had just happened.  Because the outcome was a double OT loss to visiting Tarleton State.  

Well that was then and just yesterday was a completely different brand of Army football or should I say, the brand of football that the fanbase has been accustomed to under Head Coach Jeff Monken.

As such, GoBlackKnights.com had an opportunity to catch up with several key 2026 prospects, to get their take on Saturday’s win over Kansas State of the Big 12 Conference.

Sammy Dunn, QB

“I watched it while I was on the road,” said 3-star QB commit, Sammy Dunn.  “My dad watched it on replay late last night and early this morning. Powerful last drive. I can envision myself leading us as a Top 10 program. Can’t wait to join the brotherhood

Kaleb Smith, WR

“Yes I was watching the game on Hulu and I thought it was amazing ,” professed Kaleb.  “I’m so happy I’m able to call myself a future Black Knight.”

Tayegan Briskey, ATH

“Yeah I did watch it at one of my best friends house,’ said Briskey.  “I thought they played well … the defense showed up when they needed it.”

“Yes, I watched the whole game from home,” Lee shared. 

“I thought the team played extremely well and kept fighting throughout the entire game. I loved to see Coach Monken believing in the offense and taking chances on 4th down. The offensive line played extremely physical and dominated the line of scrimmage and I can definitely envision myself in the Black &  Gold.”

Sam Sparacio, RB

“Yeah I watched every snap of the game in the back room of my house … just me and my dad,” Sparacio explained.   “I was very impressed first by the coaching – to be able to bounce back and be that united as a team and that ready to play after a loss last week is amazing and says a lot about the coaching and the players mentality. Yes the whole time I was watching I was saying to myself I can play out there and this is the team I want to play for.”

Kaio Oliveira , RB

“I didn’t watch the full game as i was not home but towards the very end of the game i started watching and I watched when Army picked it off to seal the game,” declared Oliveria.  “I thought it was a great game as we were the underdogs, and I most definitely can see me out there making plays wearing Black and Gold.”

Malcolm Robertson, LB

“I did watch the game with my family and some friends in our living room,” Robertson shared.  “I thought the team played very well across the board. On offense possessing the ball for 40 minutes was spectacular and those 4th down conversion were executed to perfection. Hellums played with a lot of grit and toughness.”

“Anderson had a great game. On defense Andon Thomas had a solid game with some great tackles. Casey Larkin laid the wood on a couple of tackles. Kalib Fortner had a great pbu in the end zone. Matteson deserved that interception after having his forced fumble was ruled an incomplete pass. Both the O-line and D-line played very well. As for seeing myself wearing the Black and Gold in the future … I’m 100% all in and it’s the reason I committed in February.”

Declan Nason, OC

“I watched the entire game,” said a very excited Nason.  “I thought that the game was awesome. They (Army) controlled the games tempo … it felt like the entire time.”

“I loved watching them run the ball and Kansas State not really being able to stop them. I liked how physical they were when hitting the person with the ball. I watched it on the car ride over to my friend’s house and then at my friend’s house. I definitely can see myself out there playing for Army and I can’t wait for it”

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