GBK: The Army Black Knights’ Football Best of 2023

As we close our the 2023 year, our publisher Charles Grevious asked our team, A.M. Allan, Joe Iacono, and I to put our heads together and select a season MVP, an Offensive Player of the Year, a Defensive Player of the Year, Special Teams Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. There wasn’t a consensus in every case, and 6 different players received votes in one or more categories with a couple receiving votes in two categories.

Three of our four votes for Freshman of the Year went to running back Kanye Udoh who finished second in rushing yardage this season despite playing in only 10 games with 240 of the 787 offensive snaps this year.

Udoh finished the season with 524 net yards on 99 carries for an impressive 5.1 yards per attempt and scored 1 touchdown. He earned the highest rating on offense from Pro Football Focus with an overall score of 81.6.

Comments From Our Voting Staff

Charles Grevious: If there was anyone Army offensive player that the opposing team’s DC had to be aware of, it was Udoh. He is a game-changer once he has the ball in his hands and has the unique ability to be effective inside or off tackle … as he proved during the 2023 season.

A.M. Allan: Talented running back Kanye Udoh is my choice, although center Brady Small had a standout season. The former Rivals 3-Star player has an extremely bright future wearing the Black & Gold of Army.

Gordon Larson: The best freshman RB since Larry Dixon’s freshman season in 2011 and a great fit for the new offense. If he stays around for 3 more years, he will be one of the great ones in a team known for its running backs.

Joe Iacono: This could easily go to Udoh, but to "spread the wealth" a little, I'm picking the Freshman Center (Brady Small) who started every game for Army and was a key leader on the offensive line that opened holes for Daily, Udoh and the rest of the Army rushing attack. Udoh was Joe’s choice for Offensive Player of the Year, and he had this to say about him. “Freshman RB Kanye Udoh burst onto the scene with back-to-back 100-yard games against Troy (124) and LSU (108). He also had a big game against Navy and was the leading rusher (88 yards on 13 carries). Udoh is big, fast, and shifty. He will only get better in OC Drew Thatcher's offense next year.”

Quinn was our unanimous choice for Special Teams Player of the Year. He converted 12 of his 14 field goal attempts (85.71%) which ranked him in a tie for 18th in the FBS this season. He was a perfect 25 of 25 on PAT conversions, which, along with his field goals made him the leading scorer for the 2024 season.

Comments From Our Voting Staff

Charles Grevious: What can you say about Maretski. Actually, the only thing keeping me away from selecting him as my offensive player of the year is that he isn’t on that field as often.

A.M. Allan: Quinn Maretzki, aka Mr. Dependable/Consistency

Joe Iacono: Money" Maretzki, as he came to be known was about as clutch as a field goal kicker can be. He only missed two field goals on the year (against ULM and U Mass). He made every extra point. He kicked three field goals in the 23-3 win over Air Force, including his career long at the time of 45 yards. Then, against Navy, he bested that mark with a 47-yard field goal to give Army a crucial 10-0 lead going into halftime. Maretzki will go down alongside Patmon Malcom and Kurt Heiss as the best Army kickers in my lifetime.

Gordon Larson: Maretzki and “Bigfoot” Cole Tally were two guys we could always count on. On the whole, special teams was one of the brighter spots of the season. I've watched Maretzki in pre-game warmups and his work ethic is outstanding.

Lowin was the unanimous choice of our four voters in this category. He was one of the three captains on defense and led the team in tackles with 92; finished second in Tackles for Loss with 4.5; finished in a tie for first in Sacks with 3.0; and first in Forced Fumbles with 4 and Fumble Recoveries with 2.

Comments From Our Voting Staff

Charles Grevious: The senior captain not only led the team in total tackles with 92, but his attitude and fierce play inspired his defensive teammate and perhaps the offense as well. If there is one thing I would say about #31’s 2023 season … he was consistent every single week that the Black Knights stepped onto the field.

A.M. Allan: I thought defensively Army was the epitome of a “team”. Throw out the LSU game and defensively the Black Knights would've been 12th in the country in scoring defense. But no one separated themselves from the rest statistically. The closest to doing that would have been Leo Lowin. He was an exceptional leader among many strong leaders. Everyone played for one another and at times sacrificed the limelight for the good of the team.

Joe Iacono: The Senior Captain led what turned out to be a very impressive defense minus the LSU game (who made everyone look bad). He shone brightest in the two academy games. Against Air Force, he was in the Falcons' backfield on seemingly every play. He led the team with 12 total tackles; 9 solo; 1 sack; 2 tackles for loss; and was in on a couple of Air Force's 6 turnovers.

Gordon Larson: Leo Lowin, although I think Quindrellan Hammonds gave him a run for his money. Led the team in tackles, which is what we expect from a middle linebacker, and he was the field captain on defense.

We had a tie in the voting in this category with two votes going to Bryson Daily and two going to Kanye Udoh; so Charles came up with a tiebreaker to name Bryson our official choice for Offensive Player of the Year.

Daily appeared in 11 games with 10 starts at Quarterback in 2023. He was in for 600 of the 787 offensive snaps and led the team in rushing with 901 yards in 215 attempts for an average of 4.2 yards per attempt and scored 7 rushing touchdowns. He completed 60 of his 120 pass attempts for 913 yards with 7 passing touchdowns and 6 interceptions for an efficiency rating of 123.16.

Comments From Our Voting Staff

Charles Grevious: voted for Udoh

A.M. Allan: Despite his growing pains as the team’s quarterback, Bryson Daily stood out despite not always having glaring stats. Hence, it was that leave-all-on-the-field mentality that allowed him to take on a true leadership role offensively.

Joe Iacono: (comments from his MVP vote) I know this pick may surprise some, but sometimes the "value" of a player can best be determined by what happens when they aren't around. In the Army/Navy game, Gary Danielson aptly pointed out that when Daily rushed for 65 yards or more in a game, Army was 6-1 on the season. Although he had some turnover struggles early in the season, especially in the passing game, Daily's ball security and decision-making in Army's 4-game winning streak at the end of the year were flawless (zero turnovers since NOV 1).

We would do well to remember that this was Daily's first significant playing time at the college level, and although he's maybe not the best fit for new OC Drew Thatcher's offense because of his challenges in the passing game, he took care of the ball, led the team, and was a power runner whose toughness and attitude certainly helped Army to big wins down the stretch and the CiC trophy. Daily rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns vs. Air Force and 84 vs. Navy. He also threw the only offensive touchdown of the game against Navy. Look for Daily to improve even more in leading Army in his senior season next year.

Daily became the first Army QB to rush and throw for over 900 yards in a season since Kelvin Hopkins did it in 2018.

Gordon Larson: While he is not the ideal quarterback for the new offense, Daily led the team in rushing and adapted to the new offense about as well as could be expected. He proved to be a great leader on offense and has the heart of a lion.

Our voters thought that the defense was the deciding factor in the team’s wins this season and kept the team in the game for the losses as well; so three of our four voters picked Lowin as both Defensive Player of the Year and MVP.

Comments From Our Voting Staff

Charles Grevious voted for Lowin for the reasons stated in his vote for Defensive Player of the Year.

A.M. Allan: The same reason I acknowledge Leo Lowin as Defensive Player of the Year, is the same reason that I designate him MVP.

Gordon Larson: Defense was the deciding factor in all the wins this year and Lowin was the team leader on defense.

Joe Iacono cast his MVP vote for Bryson Daily (See his comment on Offensive Player of the Year above.