B−
Hellums + OL spine keep a high floor in the option; defense turnover and no listed starter backup cap the ceiling
American · 2026
Army
2025 record 7–6 4–4 conference
Postseason Fenway Bowl W 41–16 vs UConn
Head coach Jeff Monken Year 13
Scheme Gun Option / 3-4
N/A
Academy
C−
Thin listed two-deeps everywhere; QB backup void is the loudest red flag
Market odds
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Recruiting ranks
Overall #14 68 commits · 39.85 pts
Portal NR 0 commits
Roster notes
Option continuity on offense; defensive rebuild
Cale Hellums listed alone — no backup listed (depth cliff)
WR Brady Anderson; RB-A Jake Rendina / Carson Smith; RB-B Samari Howard; SB David Clerk; TE Parker Poloskey
LT Henry Appleton, LG Lane Parks, C Brady Small (multi-year All-AAC), RG Paolo Gennarelli, RT Teddy Williams
Returns Jack Bousum (RDE) and Jaydan Mayes (LCB). NT Kody Harris-Miller; LBs Noah Nixon / Bryson Banks / Baylor Newsom; SS Stephen Nnadozie, FS Caleb Williams, NB Cole Searight
Top seven tacklers / most of the 2025 front seven. Noah Short → Buccaneers UDFA
Key offense
- 01 Cale Hellums QB
- 2025 (incl. bowl): 47/87, 694 pass yds, 4 TD, 3 INT
- 304 rush, 1,223 yds, 18 rush TD (led FBS QBs in rush yards)
- Started final 8 after early rotation
- Phil Steele 2026 preseason All-AAC 4th team
- 02 Brady Anderson WR
- 2025 (incl. bowl): 14 receptions, 381 yds, 2 TD (27.2 YPC), 8 starts — top returning receiver after Short’s exit
- 03 Godspower Nwawuihe RB
- 2025 (incl. bowl) regular season limited (21 carries, 196 yds, 2 rushing TD)
- Fenway Bowl breakout 12 receptions, 171 yds, TDs of 43 and 70 vs UConn. Phil Steele preseason 3rd team
Key defense
- 01 Jack Bousum DE
- 2025 (incl. bowl): 29 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 4.5 sacks (tied team lead)
- American Conference Third Team
- Phil Steele 2026 preseason 1st team
- 02 Jaydan Mayes CB
- 2025 (incl. bowl): started all 13
- 35 tackles, 1 INT–73 yd TD (game-clincher at UTSA 27–24)
- career 6 INTs. Phil Steele preseason 2nd team
- 03 Kody Harris-Miller DT
- 2025 (incl. bowl) limited (7 G, 15 tackles) after stronger 2024
- still a Phil Steele preseason 2nd-team nod and the listed nose