Stepping back one level from the defensive line, we come to the linebackers. In the base defense, Defensive Coordinator Nate Woody employs four defenders at the linebacker level, and they are divided into two groups with Outside Linebackers coached by John Loose, and Inside Linebackers coached by Justin Weaver. Each position has its own designation with the two inside linebackers identified as MIKE and the WILL. Up until 2024, the two outside linebackers were identified as the DOG and the APACHE, but Woody changed the name of the APACHE position to the Nickelback (NB), which reflecting the hybrid nature of the position as a combination OLB and DB. The NB is often a former strong safety.
Note that linebackers often begin their careers on special teams and many of them form the backbone of special teams their entire 4 years. We have only limited information on special teams participation; so we only mention it in passing. Snap counts do not include special teams but tackle counts do include special teams.
Departing Linebackers
The Black Knights will be losing 5 seniors from the linebacker unit, only one of which was a regular starter on defense.
NB Chance Keith is the only regular starter among the departing seniors of the linebacker corps. Like many of those in this unit, Keith started his career at West Point on special teams, appearing in 10 games in 2022 with 3 total tackles. He appeared in 11 games with 79 defensive snaps in 2023 and started all 14 games with 614 defensive snaps in 2024. He registered 43 total tackles, including 2 TFLs and a Sack in 2024 and was credited with 3 passes defended.
NB Josiah Banks appeared in 13 games with 124 defensive snaps and one career start against Rice in 2024. He has also contributed on special teams and has appeared in a total of 21 games with 17 career tackles and a forced fumble.
NB Hamilton Baker has appeared in 19 games with 45 defensive snaps in his 4 years at West Point. He has a career total of 7 tackles including 0.5 TFLs.
ILB Brett Gerena was a stalwart on special teams and the primary backup at ILB in 2023 and 2024. He appeared in 39 games with 406 defensive snaps, but no starts in his 4 year career at West Point. He recorded 72 career tackles, including 5.5 TFLs and 4 Sacks. He also forced one fumble and had a blocked kick in 2023.
ILB Adam Cash made his primary contribution on special teams during his 4 years at West Point. He appeared in 28 games with 63 snaps on defense and recorded 18 career tackles, including 1 TFL.
Returning 2025 Linebackers
The current roster includes 2 rising seniors, 4 rising juniors, and 7 rising sophomores listed as ILBs; 1 rising junior and 2 rising sophomores listed as NBs (Apache); and 1 rising senior, 3 rising juniors, and 4 rising sophomores listed as OLBs (DOG).
• Senior ILB Kalib Fortner is the most experienced returning player in this group with 26 games and 23 starts with 1,101 defensive snaps in 2023 and 2024. He was the second leading tackler in both seasons with 68 tackles in 2023 and 81 in 2024. He has 13 career TFLs, 4.5 Sacks, 3 Passes Defended, a Forced Fumble and a Fumble Recovery.
• Senior ILB Andon Thomas played only 6 snaps as a backup to Leo Lowin in 2023 but broke into the starting lineup at WILL at the start of the 2024 season and started all 14 games with 642 defensive snaps. He led the team in tackles this past season with 98, including 3.5 TFLs and 0.5 Sacks. He also had 2 interceptions, 4 passes defended, and a fumble recovery. Thomas was recently named to the College Sports Communicators 2024 Academic All-American First Team.
• Junior OLB Elo Modozie is the third returning regular starter from this unit with 14 starts and 527 defensive snaps at the DOG position. He is the team’s primary edge rusher and has a career total of 43 career tackles to include 9.0 TFLs and 7.5 Sacks. He was also credited with 1 Pass Defended and 2 blocked kicks.
• Senior OLB Eric Ford returns as a very able backup to Modozie at DOG. He played in all 14 games with 237 snaps in 2024 and registered 28 tackles including 3.5 TFLs and 2 Sacks along with 1 Pass Defended.
• Junior ILB Noah Nixon appeared in 13 games with 48 snaps on defense in 2024. He has 7 career tackles and will be looking to increase his playing time in 2025.
• Junior ILB Baylor Newsome has appeared in 2 games with just 8 snaps, but he recorded an interception against Rice and will be looking to move up in the depth chart this spring.
• Sophomore NB Cole Searight is the only returning NB with any playing time and that was just 3 snaps in one game.
Outlook For The Spring
With 3 of the 4 starters returning, this unit looks in pretty good shape going into spring training, but Woody will need to find a replacement for Keith at the Nickelback position. With only 3 players returning listed as NBs on the roster, he may be looking to move one of the safeties into that spot as he has done in previous years. Casey Larkin is currently listed as an NB on the roster, but we have reason to believe Larkin will remain at Strong Safery and the NB position will be filled by Cole Searight or CJ Martin.
The DOG OLB position looks solid with Modozie and Ford returning, and the two returning starters at ILB make that one of the strongest positions as well, but Woody would like to develop some additional depth at ILB. Newsome and Nixon will be in the mix, but the competition for backup spots on the depth chart will be wide open this spring.
Yes, the staff does have some experience and playmakers at linebacker. The sack leader and two leading tacklers on defense are absolutely a big part of the Army defense. From our perspective, we’ll have to see how Searight does. The Apache position is one where the ‘D’ lost the top three players at the position. Spring practice will help with evaluating and developing the next two deep at Apache.
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