With the graduation of Army Captain and Middle Linebacker Arik Smith, filling the pipeline at that position for the Black Knights’ coaching staff was critical when it came to the 2022 recruiting class.
It is often said that it is better now than never or lament term, it was supposed to have been done than not to do it at all.
We are sure that Head Coach Jeff Monken and his staff are embracing that fact when it comes to linebacker Tano Letuli.
Letuli was on campus this past weekend for an official visit and that is really all she wrote or should we say that was the icing on the cake when it came Letuli’s college decision.
“I told all the coaches in person while on the visit,” said the linebacker, whose recruiting has been handled by special teams coach, Sean Saturnio. “I just told them that I was in and fully committing to them.”
“I really fell in love with the family environment the program has and the brotherhood. I liked how the players treated and cared for each other. I also love the benefits of the school and what it can do for my future.”
The Defensive Fit
According to Letuli, he has had the benefit of catching Army on the tube and was impressed with the 3-4 defense and the mindset that they bring to the table.
“I watched a couple of games and really like the way they play,” he declared. “It’s a very aggressive style of defense, definitely looking forward to it.”
One of the benefits that a player can gain from attending the prep school is picking size, speed, and strength.
Well, the student-athlete currently holds a 4.1 GPA and will be direct admit into the United States Military Academy at West Point. At 6-foot-2, 230, this projected middle linebacker already has D1 size for an inside backer. If his high school football resume is any indicator, he is more than capable to compete early in his Army football career.
In his 2021 senior season, he registered 114 tackles, 14 sacks, 4 interceptions and was named 1st Team CIF.
In addition to his Army offer, Letuli holds offers from Hawaii, Dartmouth, New Mexico, Lehigh. UPenn, Columbia, and Nevada.
National Signing Day
Yesterday the middle linebacker joined hundreds of high school seniors from around the country to sign with the respective and future college team, as he made it official and became an Army Black Knight.
“I am more than excited to start this next chapter of my life,” he proudly stated. “I really feel like I’m where I should be and what’s best for me. I also relieved that recruiting is over and I can settle down.”
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