Previewing Notre Dame’s Week 1 Matchup With Navy

The game will take place on August 26th at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.

This is the third time the teams are playing in Dublin, with the last meeting resulting in a 50-10 blowout for the Fighting Irish in 2012.

The season opener will be the 95th meeting between the two teams. Notre Dame has dominated the series, winning 79 out of 94 games, and five straight dating back to 2017. Last season, the Fighting Irish edged out Navy by a final score of 35-32 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Notre Dame enters this year’s matchup ranked number 13 after posting a 9-4 record a year ago.

The Fighting Irish will look a lot different this year with many coaches and players moving on to new teams in college and the pros including Tommy Rees (OC, Alabama), Michael Mayer (TE, Las Vegas Raiders), Isaiah Foskey (DE, New Orleans Saints), and Chris Smith (DT, Seattle Seahawks). They added Sam Hartman at quarterback and boast a strong roster on both sides of the football, especially at the offensive line position.

The Fighting Irish have a tough schedule including matchups with Ohio State, Pittsburgh, USC, and Clemson, but this team is built to win in 2023 with an impressive mix of young and experienced players on both sides of the ball. Expect Notre Dame to come out firing on all cylinders against Navy.

MORE: Best odds to win the CFP

Navy finished the 2022 campaign with a disappointing 4-8 record on the year.

The Midshipmen experienced a turnover in personnel this offseason. Some of the changes include the firing of longtime head coach Ken Niumatalolo after 15 seasons, the promotion of defensive coordinator Brian Newberry to head coach, and the hiring of Grant Chestnut as offensive coordinator, and Eric Lewis as the team’s safeties coach and passing game coordinator. The personnel changes are expected to change Navy’s offensive philosophy as the team will look to incorporate more passing plays and less option-heavy formations. This could work to Navy’s advantage against Notre Dame, as they will be unpredictable in their playcalling.

On the defensive side, the team possesses depth in the secondary, with Mbiti Williams the standout of the group. Williams finished last season, with 42 tackles, six pass deflections, and an interception and his veteran presence will be valuable for the rest of the unit. With a Notre Dame offense featuring a new quarterback and weapons, this Navy secondary has the chance to make some plays and disrupt Hartman’s debut.

Navy has a favorable schedule this season, with only one ranked opponent coming into the season (Notre Dame) and because of this, they have a chance to take a leap in the standings in 2023.

You can catch the 95th meeting between Notre Dame and Navy on CBS Sports at 2:30 pm on Saturday, August 26th. The game will also air on over 300 Westwood Affiliates and on SiriusXM Channel 84.

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Pac-12 Players to Watch in 2023

Shadeur Sanders – Quarterback, Colorado

Shadeur Sanders joins the University of Colorado football program after spending two years with the Jackson State Tigers. This move was to be expected after his father, Deion Sanders, was named head coach of the Buffaloes on December 3rd.

Sanders thrived at Jackson State, throwing for 70 touchdowns to go along with nine rushing touchdowns in 24 total games. He is a gifted athlete who is not afraid to take chances with his arm and fight for extra yards on the ground. Sanders received many accolades during his tenure with the Tigers including being named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year (2022) and the winner of the Jerry Rice Award and Deacon Jones Trophy. The latter award he received as the nation’s top HBCU player.

Sanders, along with his brother Shilo, will look to change the culture in Colorado and revitalize a team that won just one game in 2022.

Craig Woodson – Defensive Back, California

Craig Woodson returns to the fold for the Golden Bears following a solid 2022 campaign. He recorded a career-high 75 tackles to go along with three tackles for loss, five pass deflections, and two interceptions in his first full year of action.

His performance earned him All Pac-12 honors as an honorable mention. Prior to 2022, Woodson saw limited action but made the most of his opportunities. In just eight games from 2019 to 2020, Woodson recorded 19 tackles and two pass deflections.

His speed to go along with his tackling ability and flexibility as a punt returner makes him an intriguing prospect for the Golden Bears. Just two years removed from a serious knee injury, Woodson will play an important role in California’s defense in 2023.

Mario Williams – Wide Receiver, USC

Following the departure of Jordan Addison to the Minnesota Vikings, Mario Williams will look to take on a bigger role with the USC Trojans in 2023. He had a nice season in 2022 for USC with 631 yards and five touchdowns.

At five-foot-nine, Williams does not have great size but he makes up for this with his speed, hand-eye coordination, and route running. Caleb Williams, reigning Heisman Trophy Winner, is expected to continue his dominance this year and this will give (Mario) Williams the opportunity to shine even brighter. Look for Mario Williams to be one of the best wide receivers in the PAC-12 this season.

Joshua Gray – Offensive Tackle, Oregon State

Joshua Gray was one of the unsung heroes of Oregon State in 2022. The team finished 10-3 and he was a big reason why the team was so successful.

Gray started all 13 games, recording a 79.8 PFF grade, which takes into account players’ quality of play. He had a grade of 85.8 in run blocking, which ranked him third in the PAC-12. He possesses good awareness, coordination, and plays with good leverage.

If Gray can improve his strength and balance, he has the potential to be one of the best tackles in all of college football. Look for him to take another step in the right direction this season.

Karene Reid – Linebacker, Utah

Karene Reid’s journey to Utah is one of hard work, grit, and determination. Reid was a walk-on who joined the team in 2021 before receiving a scholarship after the season. In two years with the program, Reid has posted a statline of 117 tackles, six sacks, seven pass deflections, and two interceptions.

He was a force in the run defense, leading a Utah unit that finished with the second-fewest rushing yards allowed per game (111.4). Expectations are high for Utah in 2023 following a 10-4 record and Reid will look to continue his storybook career and anchor the Utes defense.

With just three weeks to go until kickoff, fans can eagerly anticipate the performances of these standout athletes and the overall excitement that the PAC-12 delivers on a yearly basis.

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Players to Watch from the ACC

Cade Klubnik

With former quarterback DJ Uiagaelei transferring to Oregon State, Cade Klubnik will take the reins for the Clemson Tigers this season. He is faced with high expectations following in the footsteps of National Championship-winning quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence.

Klubnik has been praised for his accuracy and pocket awareness. In high school, Klubnik threw for 86 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, winning three state championships in the process. He saw limited action last season and showed flashes of his potential, completing 61% of his passes (100 attempts) and throwing for two touchdowns.

Not only does he impress as a passer but he also plays well on the ground. He added two touchdowns on the ground and even had a 19 yard reception for good measure. He will look to give Clemson their 13th consecutive double-digit win season and get them back to National Championship contention in 2023.

Fentrell Cypress II

Cypress is one of the top transfers to watch in 2023. He joins the Florida State defensive backs room after a four-year career at Virginia. Last season, he led the ACC with 14 pass breakups and was named to the Second Team All-ACC team for his efforts. Cypress’ abilities extend beyond pass coverage, as he also showcased his strong tackling skills, accumulating a career-high 39 tackles in just nine games including eight in the season opener against Richmond.

Cypress will create a dynamic duo in the secondary with Greedy Vance who had three picks and five pass deflections in 2022. Look for teams to gameplan around these two young studs on the defensive side of the football.

Christian Mahogany

After missing the 2022 season with a torn ACL, Christian Mahogany will look to build on what has been a stellar collegiate career thus far. The 6’3 335-pound offensive guard has been the anchor of the Boston College offensive line since he entered the starting lineup in 2020.

Prior to last season, he was ranked by Mel Kiper as the number two guard prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. Because of the injury, he decided to stay another year to prove himself and “leave no doubt on his college career”. His return will bolster a Boston College team that finished just 3-9 in his absence after two straight winning seasons. With another strong campaign, Mahogany will reclaim his status as one of the top guards in the draft and could provide NFL teams with a strong, athletic player on the interior offensive line starting in 2024.

Drake Maye

With Sam Howell leaving for the NFL prior to the 2022 season, Drake Maye and Jacolby Criswell engaged in a competitive quarterback battle to replace him. Maye won the competition and it proved to be the right choice for the Tar Heels. He had a breakout season, throwing for 38 touchdowns and adding 698 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

He was named the ACC Player of the Year and finished tenth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Standing at 6’5 with a weight of 220 pounds, Maye has great size for a quarterback. His size combined with his mobility and big play ability has impressed scouts, with some even giving him a top-10 pick projection. With another offseason of reps under his belt, look for Maye to build on his performance from last season and have the Tar Heels in contention for another marquee bowl game in 2023.

Will Shipley

Clemson running back Will Shipley was one of just three players in the ACC in 2022 to amass over 1,000 rushing yards. (Sean Tucker and Israel Abanikanda) He was a bright spot for the Tigers in what was another excellent season for the program. With quarterback struggles plaguing the team, Shipley carried the load out of the backfield and ran for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns. He showcased a big play ability, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 6.4 yards per reception. Look for Shipley and quarterback Cade Klubnik to create an intriguing one-two punch in the backfield for Clemson this season.

As the college football offseason unfolds, fans can eagerly anticipate the performances of these standout athletes and the overall excitement that the SEC consistently delivers.

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SEC Players to Watch in 2023

Carson Beck

With Stetson Bennett heading to the NFL, Carson Beck is expected to take the reins under center for the Georgia Bulldogs this season.

At 6 ‘4, 215 pounds, Beck has great size for a quarterback that will transition well to the NFL if given the opportunity. Beck has shown solid mechanics in the pocket and is not afraid to scramble for yards when needed. In limited action in 2022, Beck threw for 310 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions and averaged six yards per carry running the football.

He will be under a lot of pressure as Georgia looks to become the first team since Michigan (1934-1936) to win three straight National Championships.

MORE: Georgia’s football culture needs addressing

Chris Braswell

It will be difficult to replace the production lost from key contributors such as Will Anderson, Brian Branch, and Byron Young on the Alabama defense. The Crimson Tide will rely on several players to take over on defense including linebacker Chris Braswell.

The senior linebacker had 20 tackles last season and showed an innate ability to rush the quarterback with two and a half sacks and six hurries on the campaign. At 220 lbs, Braswell is light for an edge rusher but he makes up for it with his aggressiveness and speed. Look for Braswell to be a major contributor for the contending Crimson Tide.

Ja’Corey Brooks

Amari Cooper, DeVonta Smith, Calvin Ridley, and Julio Jones. These are just a couple of playmaking Alabama wide receivers that have made the jump to the NFL. Ja’Corey Brooks has the chance to be the next big-name wide receiver from Alabama.

Brooks thrived last season with 866 yards and eight touchdowns. His 22.5 yards per reception would have ranked him first in the NFL. At 6’3, Brooks has a physique that college coaches love for a wide receiver. His size combined with his athleticism and big play ability makes him a dangerous weapon for the Alabama offense.

If Brooks can put it all together in 2023, look for him to be a first-round pick next season in the NFL.

MORE: The SEC dissolving divisions is the right decision

Jarquez Hunter

Jarquez Hunter will be the primary running back for the Auburn Tigers this season. As the backup to Tank Bigsby, Hunter has impressed over the last two seasons with 1,269 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 193 carries.

Hunter possesses blazing speed with a 4.4 second 40 yard dash time. At 5’10, 192 pounds, Hunter’s size is comparable to Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints. Just like Kamara, Hunter is also a threat as a receiver, posting 224 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2022.

As the team’s starting running back, Hunter will look to give a spark to an Auburn team that hasn’t won more than six games since 2019.

Maason Smith

After missing the 2022 season with a torn ACL, Maason Smith returns to the LSU Tigers, where he is expected to be the anchor of the defensive line.

In limited action in 2021, Smith was named to the Freshman All-American team for his performance. Smith has had trouble staying healthy over his first two collegiate seasons but when he is on the field he is a force on the defensive side of the football. His talent level is through the roof and his physicality and strength create nightmares for opposing offenses.

With a tough schedule against the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Texas A&M, and Florida State, LSU will rely on Smith to be a major contributor as they look to return to the National Championship for the first time since 2019.

As the college football season unfolds, fans can eagerly anticipate the performances of these standout athletes and the overall excitement that the SEC consistently delivers.

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2023 College Football Transfer Portal: Players to Watch

Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter has high expectations coming into the 2023 campaign as he was ranked the number one player in the transfer portal by ON3. Playing both sides of the ball last season, Hunter recorded two interceptions and four touchdowns for the Jackson State Tigers.

In the offseason, he transferred to Colorado, following head coach Deion Sanders who coached Hunter at Jackson State in 2022. This was a no-brainer for Hunter who has said in the past that he models his game after Sanders which is evident in his ball-hawking abilities on both ends of the field.

Hunter and Sanders will look to revitalize the Colorado football program, which finished just 1-11 in 2022.

Sam Hartman

After a storied career at Wake Forest, Sam Hartman decided to take his talents to South Bend for his final collegiate season.

This is a huge addition for the Fighting Irish quarterback room which lost Drew Pyne (Arizona State) and Tyler Buchner (Alabama) to the Transfer Portal earlier this offseason. In 45 games for Wake Forest, Hartman threw for over 13,000 yards and 110 touchdowns and was a two-time member of the All-ACC team. He is joining a Notre Dame squad that is loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball with an elite line and experienced weapons including Jayden Thomas, Audric Estime, and Tobias Merriweather.

Hartman and company will be tasked with leading the Fighting Irish to their first National Championship appearance since 2012.

Fentrell Cypress II

Cornerback Fentrell Cypress joins Florida State after a four-year career at Virginia. He led the ACC with 14 pass breakups and was named to the Second Team All-ACC team for his efforts.

Cypress’s abilities extend beyond pass coverage, as he also showcased his strong tackling skills, accumulating a career-high 39 tackles in just nine games including eight in the season opener against Richmond. His presence in the secondary will bolster Florida State’s defense and provide a reliable cornerback option alongside Greedy Vance who had three picks and five pass deflections in 2022.

Adonai Mitchell

Arch Manning isn’t the only notable name joining the Texas Longhorns this year. Two time National Champion Adonai Mitchell is joining the team after two storied seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs.

He is perhaps best known for his go-ahead touchdown in the 2021 National Championship game against Alabama. He is joining a Longhorns receiving corps that features Jordan Whittington and Xavier Worthy who combined for over 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022. Mitchell will look to bring his winning attitude and DNA to a Texas team that hasn’t won a Bowl Game since 2020.

Dont’e Thornton

Fresh off an impressive 11-2 campaign, the Tennessee Volunteers added more firepower to their offense in 2023. Dont’e Thornton joins the receiving room as a transfer from Oregon.

The 6’5 receiver showed off his speed and athleticism last season, averaging 21.5 yards per reception for 366 yards. Joe Milton figures to take the reins at quarterback this season after an impressive stint taking over for the injured Hendon Hooker. After Hooker went down with a Torn ACL, Milton stepped in and threw for 10 touchdowns and no interceptions and took the team to the Orange Bowl where they defeated Clemson.

Thornton will be a key weapon for the Volunteers and will look to give the team their third consecutive winning season for the first time since 2016.

As the 2023 College Football season approaches, all eyes will be on these five transfers as they look to make a significant impact on their new teams.

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Last season, the Phillies were 22-29 when they fired manager Joe Girardi. Interim skipper Rob Thomson took over, and the team got hot, going 65-46 the rest of the way and making the World Series. With expectations high, Thomson will once again be tasked with righting the ship and getting this team back to the postseason.

Here are three reasons for the Philadelphia Phillies struggles in 2023:

Why The Phillies Have Struggled Thus Far in 2023

Inconsistency at the plate

Inconsistency has been a common theme for the Philadelphia Phillies. The team is coming off a series victory against the Nationals. However, prior to this, they lost five straight games and were outscored by 15 runs in the process.

On the offensive end, the Phillies are loaded with talent with players such as Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Nick Castellanos rounding out the lineup. On paper, they have one of the best lineups in all of baseball, and this is evident with their performance last October which carried them to the World Series after winning just 87 games in the regular season. 

The problem with this lineup is inconsistency. Take Kyle Schwarber for example. So far this season, he has 15 home runs which puts him in the top 10 in the league. At the same time, he is hitting just .172 with 36 hits and 75 strikeouts in 209 at bats.

Trea Turner, who consistently hits for a great average, is hitting just .232 in his first season in red pinstripes. J.T. Realmuto just came off a great series against the Nationals where he hit two home runs and added a double on four total hits. Prior to this, however, he had just two hits over the course of 20 at bats dating back to May 25th. 

When the Phillies lineup is on, they’re one of the toughest assignments for any pitcher in the league. On the flip side, when one player goes cold, the whole team seems to follow suit and it creates a frustrating dynamic. This is not a new issue for the team. In 2021, Bryce Harper won the MVP despite only driving in 84 RBIs. This was partially due to the lack of runners on base when he was up.

Lack of starting pitching depth

Going into 2023, the Phillies were confident that their pitching was in a much better spot than they were a year ago.

They replaced Zach Eflin with 2021 All-Star Taijuan Walker and added Craig Kimbrel, and Gregory Soto to sure up the back of the bullpen. The team was also confident that top prospect Andrew Painter would be ready to go and take the reins as the fifth starter. Painter, however, went down early in spring training with an injury and the team is unsure when he will return.

Left-hander Ranger Suarez started the year on the Injured List as well, missing a month and a half of action. This left the team with Matt Strahm and Bailey Falter as the fourth and fifth starters. Falter pitched poorly, posting seven losses and a 5.13 ERA before being sent down to Lehigh Valley. Strahm looked strong as a starter, but is best used as a long reliever, which is where he has been used since May 7th.

The Phillies added Dylan Covey from the waiver wire, and while he looked good in his first action for the team, his ERA has imploded since and he has been demoted to the bullpen.

Recently, the team has relied on bullpen games every five days due to the lack of depth on the Major League roster. While this is sustainable every once in a while, it is not ideal for an entire season as it will tax the bullpen and could lead to injuries from the overuse of relievers. The Phillies will have to hope that Painter or Mick Abel will be ready to go soon, or they will likely look elsewhere to address the back end of the rotation going forward.

Runners Left on Base

This goes hand in hand with inconsistency at the plate. When the Phillies get runners on, they struggle to take advantage of this and score runs. They are fourth-worst in the league with runners left on base with an average of 3.74. With the level of talent in this lineup, the team should have no problems driving in runs and keeping the momentum going. They have been better as of late with 2.67 runners stranded over the past three games and, hopefully, this is a sign of what’s to come as we enter the midway point of the season.

Overall Analysis

With all this being said, the Philadelphia Phillies have the potential to turn this thing around once again. It will not be easy, as the Braves are performing very well and the Mets will be there too in contention for the NL East crown. They will have their struggles offensively but expect the lineup to start producing more and putting the ball in play more often.

While I am concerned about the current rotation depth and the performance of Aaron Nola (4-4, 4.70 ERA), it is ultimately the lineup that will carry this team once again. As long as the starters can eat up innings and keep the games close, the lineup will do the rest and will win this team many ball games. 

In the face of their struggles, the Philadelphia Phillies have shown resilience before, and with their talented lineup, there is still hope for them to turn the season around and make a strong push for the playoffs.

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Led by coach Marcus Freeman — who took over for longtime leader Brian Kelly — Notre Dame finished with a 9-4 record, which was capped off with a narrow victory against South Carolina in the Gator Bowl. This was the Fighting Irish’s first bowl win since 2019 when they defeated Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl by a final score of 33-9. The team overcame struggles early in the season, winning seven of their last eight games to gain momentum heading into 2023.

Here are three storylines to watch for this fall in South Bend:

Notre Dame 2023 Preview: Storylines to Watch

Lots of Turnover Heading Into the 2023 Season

The team will look a lot different this fall as many coaches and players have moved on from the program since they last took the field in January. Assistant coaches Tommy Rees (offensive coordinator) and Harry Hiestand (offensive line) have left the fold with Gerald Parker and Joe Rudolph taking their places respectively.

Some of the big names to graduate and make their way to the NFL from the program include tight end Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders), defensive end Isaiah Foskey (New Orleans Saints), offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson (Houston Texans), and defensive tackle Chris Smith (Seattle Seahawks).

Despite the changes, Freeman’s philosophy will likely stay the same as he looks to lead the Fighting Irish to their first National Championship appearance since 2012, and first victory since 1988.

Tough Road Ahead

The journey back to the National Championship will not be an easy one for the Fighting Irish.

Looking at their schedule, Notre Dame will open up the campaign with a matchup against Navy on August 26th in Dublin, Ireland. This is the third time the teams are playing in Ireland, with the last meeting coming in 2012 in a 50-10 blowout for the Fighting Irish. They will face three teams that finished the 2022 season in the final AP Top 25 rankings including Ohio State (#3), Clemson (#13), and Pittsburgh (#22).

Along with these matchups, they will renew their hotly-contested rivalries with USC and Stanford late in the year and will look to avenge losses to both teams last season. Sports Illustrated reports that the Fighting Irish have the 18th most difficult schedule in the NCAA based on 2022 records. Their opponents won a combined 90 games, compared to just 63 losses for an overall win percentage of 58.8%.  

The Fighting Irish’s Roster Depth

The roster is deep and filled with talent and the team has only gotten better with a strong second recruiting class for Freeman.

The quarterback room will be led by Sam Hartman, who transferred from Wake Forest after a storied career for the Black and Gold. In 45 games for Wake Forest, Hartman threw for over 13,000 yards and 110 touchdowns and was a two-time member of the All-ACC team.

Despite losing tight end Michael Mayer to the NFL, Hartman will have plenty of weapons to throw to including Jayden Thomas and Tobias Merriweather. Thomas finished third on the team with 362 receiving yards last season, while Merriweather impressed in limited action and figures to be a deep threat that will be a tough assignment for opposing defenses to cover.

Audric Estime will be the featured back for the Fighting Irish, and will undoubtedly benefit from the team’s excellent exterior line depth. Estime had a solid 2022 campaign, rushing for 920 yards and 11 touchdowns, and averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry. 

On the defensive end, Notre Dame will look to bounce back from a shaky 2022 campaign. While the unit was not terrible, they took a step back from years prior allowing 23 points per game including four games with over 30 points.

Benjamin Morrison will be the x-factor of this defense. Morrison had a standout freshman season, finishing with six interceptions to go along with four pass deflections, and was named a freshman All-American by multiple publications. Add in a healthy Cam Hart who showed signs of potential with four pass deflections before going down with injuries, and this creates a dynamic duo on the back end of the defense. This cornerback tandem can only thrive with the help of the defensive line, which is led by graduate student transfer, Javontae Jean-Baptiste from Ohio State.

During his time at Ohio State, he accumulated ten tackles for loss, with four coming last year. He has taken tremendous strides and has tough shoes to fill as he is taking the place of Isaiah Foskey, who was the anchor of the line last season before leaving for the NFL. Overall, this unit has a lot of potential to make big plays and will need to be sharp if this team wants a shot at playing in January.

Overall Analysis

With all this being said, Notre Dame has a great chance of having a very successful 2023 campaign. While teams like Ohio State, Pittsburgh, USC, and Clemson will undoubtedly give the Fighting Irish a run for their money, they have the depth and the talent to win ball games if they put it all together.

As the countdown to the college football season begins, all eyes are on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, as they embark on their journey to achieve greatness under Coach Marcus Freeman and aim to leave a lasting mark on the field in pursuit of their championship dreams.

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COMMITTED ⚔️🏴‍☠️⚔️@SpringfieldFB @ArmyWP_Football @ArmyWP_TrackXC @CoachJohnLoose @MikeViti @CoachJeffMonken @Coach_Hersh @PaFootballNews @EPAFootball @goblackknights @BKKnightNation @RivalsFriedman @PrepRedzonePA #GoArmy #beatnavy pic.twitter.com/StTPDOADRu

— Tyler Klambara (@ItsKlam) November 23, 2022

Klambara was the anchor of the offensive lineman for Springfield High School for the past four years and is taking his talents to the United States Military Academy at West Point next fall. In this article, we will take a closer look at Klambara’s background, his journey to becoming an offensive lineman for Army football, and the unique challenges he faces both on and off the field.

Interview With Future Army Lineman, Tyler Klambara

Q. What made Army stand out from other colleges?

A. The United States Military Academy at West Point has so many valuable opportunities and benefits that won’t be found at any other university or institute in the world. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself and be a part of a great group of young men and women who are like-minded, goal-oriented, hard-working, and willing to work extensively to succeed.

The education taught here is like none other and I am going to develop great relationships with my professors and fellow cadets. Through the rigorous military training and excellent academic & athletic programs, West Point is going to develop me into a leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, and Country.

I will be a commissioned officer into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant and have a guaranteed job after graduation and, furthermore, be set for life regardless of which path I choose. It’s going to be a lot of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears but I am 100% willing to go through it.

All the coaches there gave me a lot of love and support throughout the recruiting process, and they actually wanted me to get better. They were there from the beginning, so when they gave me the offer I knew that I had to take it. I can’t wait to work and play with a fantastic group of coaches and players.

Q. What is your favorite part about the game of football?

A. My favorite part about the game of football is winning as a team. Winning as a team lets the players have fun, and you are able to enjoy the game of football while being successful at the same time.

Q. What areas of your game do you feel you need to improve upon?

A. I mainly play tackle, but If I need to be moved to center for any reason, I need to get better at snapping. Additionally, I need to work on outside zone blocking and my speed in outside zone blocking.

READ MORE: Why College Football is special

Q. How do you handle pressure and setbacks during a game?

A. The only thing that defines how well you play in a game or season is yourself. Are you going to let a little mistake bother you or are you going to learn from it and move on? It does suck to make mistakes, especially ones that you could’ve prevented, but it’s in the past and you have to learn from it and move on.

You can’t let it bother you, and personally, I’ve been able to learn that my mistakes don’t define how I play, so I can’t let it bother me. I just remind myself what I have on the line, and that play is done and behind us, and I have to prepare and be able to execute the next play.

Q. What do you think sets you apart from other football recruits?

A. I think I have some very good qualities that set me apart from other recruits. For starters, I have a very good size, strength, and speed combo at 6’4″ and 310 lbs. I’m also versatile and can play anywhere on the offensive line, preferably tackle. But I think the best thing about me is that I am coachable and can take a coach’s help and tips and utilize it to make my performance on the field the best it can be.

Q. Next year, you are starting out at the Prep School. How do you think this will prepare you for the following four years?

A. For starters, I am going to be able to adapt to the military lifestyle and rigorous academic/athletic lifestyle at a slower and more careful pace. I will also be able to take the time to fully recover from my (shoulder) injury and gain my strength back, which will help my overall performance on the field at the academy and during military training.

Q. How is your rehab going? Do you expect to be ready to go in the fall?

A. I should be able to play for the USMA Prep School in the fall. By that time, I should be getting more strength back and my range of motion should be adequate.

Q. How do you see yourself fitting into Army’s football program and contributing to the team’s success?

A. Army mainly runs the ball, and I believe I found most of my success as an offensive lineman with their style of offense. I am super excited to take my talents to a very successful Army football program, but to also work with some of the best coaches in college football and play with great teammates who are soon to be my brothers in arms.

Tyler Klambara’s journey to becoming an offensive lineman for Army football is one of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. His commitment to the values of Duty, Honor, and Country is evident in his decision to attend West Point, where he will not only excel in football and shot put but also receive a world-class education and become a leader of character.

Klambara’s versatility, coachability, and dedication to teamwork make him an invaluable addition to Army’s football program. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and look forward to seeing his continued success on and off the field.

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