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The Inside Stuff GBK NSD & Recruiting Commentary

I chuckle to myself when I hear some fans state that Rivals Undervalues Army Football Recruits versus other publications.

Honestly speaking, we know more about the prospects than most, especially parents who typically over value their sons … we see it all the time. Although as a parent of two former Army football players, I completely understand what that feeling is like.

Fans, which include parents often don’t understand how players are evaluated by Rivals … which may be totaling different than other publications.

However, what we notice from prospects, who have yet to be ranked or “2-star” rated … they reach out to us to ask how they get ranked or ranked higher.

To answer their question …

… the Rivals National & Regional Analysts release new rankings 5-6 times a year. It is then that the analysts evaluate recruits across the nation and determine how many (if any) stars they are given.

For example and looking at the 2025 recruiting class, the Rivals football recruiting analysts typically have a 2025 rankings meeting during the first week of February which they will rank the initial Rivals100 and Rivals250 for the class of 2025 as well as position rankings for 2026.

Our national & regional analysts have plenty of access to film and highlights, they also rely on Publishers who have seen a prospect in person (game and/or camps).

Speaking of camps the spring is also a hot time for evaluation, because of the Rivals 3-Stripe Camp where the Rivals’ team is able to see prospects up close and personal.

Also, multiple offers also catch the Rivals teams’ attention relative to rankings.

That’s the Reader’s Digest version.


Here’s some perspective. Some recruits who have committed ask as well. Meaning, you are committed, locked in, but you are concern about your rating status. Why?

We have posted an article that dates back to 2018, that speaks to the fact that at Army West Point, it’s not necessarily about the stars and ranking, but coming into a program where you can be coached up and reach your potential.

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Yes, it is nice to see Army prospects ranked as 3-star players, but is that the goal of Army football or is it to get the best player that fits both the program and West Point institution as a student-athlete (cadet) and win some ball games?

It should also be noted that there is some strategy behind the level of players that the staff goes after. They are not going to waste there time on prospects who are “highly” ranked and with tons of Power 5 offers … counterproductive. I guy like Matt Gemma who was highly ranked 3-star prospect, but was a young man who loved West Point the institution versus just football. Hence he was the first commit for the 2023 recruiting class and that is because the staff did their homework.

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NOW LET’S GET READY FOR NATIONAL SIGNING DAY (2/5) - PART II

The Greatest Army Football Players of All Time?

There has been tons of chatter on this message board regarding Bryson Daily and where he ranks among those names that are considered some of the greatest football players to play for Army West Point.

First, I won’t even attempt to define greatest, because it is a relative to term and can mean different things for different people. For example, some fans consider MVP and Greatness to mean the same thing, while others feel there’s a distinction between the two.

Another thought when it comes to greatness is the timeframe. What do I mean by that? Well, not too many former Army players have made it to the NFL, and those that have can easily be considered outstanding football players.

However, allow me to use Alejandro Villanueva as an example of what I will deem as “delayed” greatness. The 6-foot-9 and 290 pounder, played defensive line, offensive tackle and wide receiver/tight end for us before becoming an Army Ranger and serving three tours of duty in Afghanistan, where he earned the Bronze Star for his service. He was damn good wearing the Black & Gold, but I would not consider his tenure at West Point as a ballplayer, great.

After failing to make several NFL teams as a tight end and defensive end, the Pittsburgh Steelers converted him to an offensive tackle, and Villanueva played eight seasons, making two Pro Bowl appearances. Greatness at the NFL level for sure.

Actually, GBK did the following article back on 12/14/11. THE TOP 10 ARMY PLAYERS OF THE LAST DECADE

Finally, this is a different era of football compared to the days that some of the former players who were designated as great played. Hence, the game and the players themselves have evolved.

All of that being said, Here are my Top Five Army Football Players that I have seen play.

  1. Josh McNary
  2. Steve Anderson
  3. Caleb Campbell
  4. Bryson Daily
  5. Ali Villanueva

Who would you consider to be your Top Five Army Football Players of All-Time?
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