While being a service academy in the Transfer Portal Era is brutal, the Army Black Knights have positioned themselves in the pole position in the race for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. Jeff Monken’s schematic versatility has given the Black Knights a sense of stability that has been tough to find in college football.
Accordingly, Army is in a better position than expected to compete in the AAC in 2024. Here are the Black Knights’ top 10 returning players in 2024.
Army Black Knights Top Returning Players
10) Lucas Scott, OG
Lucas Scott didn’t start the season as a mainstay on the offensive line, but he quickly found himself as the starter at right guard for the Black Knights. He’s not a great pass blocker, but that’s not as important to this offense, especially when he can be a road grader in the running game, something he’ll be asked to do a lot.
9) Casey Reynolds, WR
While he’s not the most experienced receiver on the roster, Casey Reynolds was vitally important to the Army offense last year as a chain-mover and safety valve. He’s likely going to be moved around the formation to take advantage of his size and run-blocking ability.
8) Max DiDomenico, S
Max DiDomenico is Army’s second-leading tackler among returners and provides stability to the back end of the defense. The Black Knights lost both starting corners, so DiDomenico will be key to Army’s chances in coverage. He’s not afraid to come down and help out in run support, and his experience will be vital.
7) Tyrell Robinson, RB
Tyrell Robinson dealt with some injuries last year, making his season debut in Week 6 but not looking like his normal self. In 2023, he averaged 4.9 yards a carry and forced just two missed tackles all season. In the three years beforehand, he forced 60 missed tackles on 170 carries, averaging at least seven yards a carry each season. If he’s back to his normal self, he should have a much better year in 2024.
6) Noah Short, WR
Though Army doesn’t air it out as much as other teams around the country, the receivers group is experienced and explosive. Noah Short is probably the top guy to watch at the position as he had 17 catches for 255 yards and a couple of touchdowns last season.
5) Kyle Lewis, IDL
Kyle Lewis has really good numbers for a guy who plays primarily at the nose tackle position. Lewis, though he’s not the biggest lineman you’ll find, eats up space and allows his linebackers to make plays. That being said, he was a solid pass rusher as well, with 17 pressures last season, adding 18 tackles in the process.
4) Brady Small, OC
Brady Small is the anchor of this offensive line and a guy who excelled last year through the schematic inconsistencies. He’s a strong run blocker and has great size for an Army offensive lineman. The offensive line as a whole is pretty inexperienced, so his presence will be extremely important in 2024.
3) Kanye Udoh, RB
While Kanye Udoh’s playing time was inconsistent last season as Army experimented with different offensive schemes, his play when he got the ball was not. Udoh averaged over five yards a carry, and while he scored just one touchdown, he forced 24 missed tackles and was the Black Knights’ most consistent running back.
2) Kalib Fortner, LB
Kalib Fortner was Army’s second-leading tackler last season and was extremely productive as a blitzer for the Black Knights. He probably needs to improve a bit as a tackler, as he missed too many last season, but he’s a huge piece of the defense and will be needed in 2024.
1) Bryson Daily, QB
It always helps to have a quarterback as your team’s top returning player, and while Army doesn’t run the Air Raid, Bryson Daily’s presence is a big reason why the Black Knights are positioned as the leaders among the service academies. He’s as dynamic a passer as you’ll find in the triple option and led the Black Knights in rushing last season.
It remains to be seen how multiple Army will be on offense, but Daily has the skill set to play in any scheme.
U.S Army parachute team instructor dies in non-duty related jump
A community is in mourning after a U.S. Army member and Golden Knights parachute team instructor from North Carolina died in a parachuting accident.
According to the military, Sgt. First Class Dominic Perry died in a parachute jump during a non-duty-related competition in Whiteville, Tennessee.
He was from Aberdeen, North Carolina located in Moore County.
Perry was an experienced parachutist and served more than four years with the Golden Knights, and 20 years in the U.S. Army.
Army Master Sgt. from Orange who died in parachute accident to be welcomed home
Master Sgt. Michael Ty Kettenhofen was the tie that held those around him together, his brother said.
Whether it was his four siblings, his parents, his friends or his Army brothers in the elite Golden Knights parachute team, the 37-year-old Orange native was the kind of person people clung to.
“He was that kind of human being,” said Garrett Campbell, Kettenhofen’s older brother. “He was literally friends with everyone. If you weren’t friends with him, you just hadn’t met him yet.”
Kettenhofen, 37, died on March 13 in a parachute training accident on a Florida air reserve base. Community members are being encouraged to join those whose lives he touched in lining the streets from the Ontario Airport to a Menifee funeral home with American flags on Thursday, March 23, to welcome home the 18-year active duty Army soldier who will be buried on Monday at the Riverside National Cemetery, where his grandparents are buried, with full military honors.
Kettenhofen graduated from Orange High School in 2003 and joined the Army in 2006. His choice of branch was inspired by his two older brothers who were also Army paratroopers, Campbell said. His family is loaded with relatives who served their country; both of his grandfathers served in World War II and one also fought in the Korean War.
“They were something we were extremely proud of,” Campbell said of the siblings’ grandfathers. “Serving in the military was a big deal in our family.”
Kettenhofen also put into practice values instilled by his parents, including always looking out for others and being helpful, Campbell said.
“He was really big on the Army brotherhood and really big into helping his fellow soldiers get help for mental health or other things they needed,” Campbell said. “I’ve heard from Army buddies that he made a big impact on their lives. He thanked my parents for giving him that trait.”
Campbell said his brother, who leaves behind a 9-year-old daughter, “was looking for a bit more stability in his life and fewer chances of deployment,” when he joined the Golden Knights. The elite skydivers, pilots and jumpers are part of the Army’s recruiting efforts and perform around the United States and the globe for more than 200 days a year.
Kettenhofen was also a jumpmaster instructor at the United States Army Jumpmaster School.
Before joining the elite Golden Knights in 2020, he was an infantryman who served four deployments to the Middle East – twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan.
Kettenhofen was a Purple Heart recipient and also received the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Master Parachutist Badge and Combat Infantry Badge.
“The US Army parachute team is saddened by the loss of one of our own. MSG Ty Kettenhofen was loved, admired, and respected by all those who knew him for his sense of humor, joy of life and accomplishments as a senior non-commissioned officer and demonstration parachutist,” said Lt. Col. Andy Moffit, the team’s commander. “Our hearts and faith are with his family and friends as we grieve and heal with them. Ty will be honored and remembered as a Golden Knight, soldier and friend.”
Campbell said his brother was at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Miami training for the elite team’s upcoming show season when the accident occurred. Not many details have been made available and the Army is continuing its investigation into what happened. Kettenhofen had more than 1,400 jumps, his brother said.
As part of the Golden Knight’s public outreach, Kettenhofen enjoyed talking about the Army to young people who were looking for options for their futures, his brother said.
“He saw how the Army helped change and improve the lives of lots of people,” Campbell said. “He loved the brotherhood and saw how his brothers became better men by what they went through.”
“And, he loved being a Golden Knight,” Campbell added. “It was difficult, but when you love doing that, the challenging thing, he’d just get better at it. He was very logical and safe in his approach, and it was something he was continuing to improve.”
Kettenhofen had an adventurous spirit growing up, enjoying scuba diving, surfing, hunting, fishing and dirt-bike riding; he would basically try anything once, his family said.
As an adult, he grew to love cooking and baking; his next culinary adventure was to be guava cheesecake, Campbell said.
Kettenhofen was also passionate about photography and was learning how to play piano, challenging himself with the hardest pieces he could find, Campbell said.
Kettenhofen is survived by his daughter, Quinn, and her mother, Cari; his parents, Christine and Mark Kettenhofen; siblings Greggory Campbell, Garrett Campbell, Brandy Morris and Gavin Campbell, and their families.
Kettenhofen’s body will arrive at the Ontario Airport at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The procession will travel Archibald Avenue to the 10 East, to the 15 South, to the 60 East, to the 215 South and exit at Ethanac Road to Encato Drive.
