Yes, Dedrick Wilson was the first 2019 prospect to publicly announce his commitment to Army West Point, but “officially” athlete Jimmy Ciarlo became the Black Knights’ first 2019 commitment on March 25th.
Long story short ... the New Jersey product extended his pledge to the Army coaching staff on the aforementioned, but requested that GoBlackKnights.com hold off putting it out there until the team’s Junior Day and the Annual Black & Gold Spring Game, which is today.
So, let’s go back in time to March 25th and our initial commitment interview with the 6-foot-3, 190 pounder as he explained to GBK com the events that lead him becoming an Army Black Knight.
At the time we first conversed with Ciarlo, he was attending Lenape High School, but on April 9th transferring ‘back’ to Saint Joes, which also played into the talented two way player holding off making his decision public .... he wanted to do so under the banner of St. Joe’s.
According to Ciarlo, it was the evening of March 24th that he decided to turn down several offers including Syracuse and say yes to Army.
“Last night was the first official time I told Coach [Chad] Wilt and Head Coach [Jeff] Monken that I would like to commit,” said the incoming safety, in his conversation with GoBlackKnights.com on the 25th. “However, Coach Wilt and I have been talking commitment for months. we’ve just been waiting for my SAT results to come back to ensure that I qualify to be a Cadet.”
Ciarlo said once that his academic status was established, then he made it official and of course he had an opportunity to discuss his pledge with Monken.
“I could tell from the tone of his [Monken] voice that he was pretty excited to have his first class of 2019 commit,” explained Ciarlo. “He told me what an honor it was and congratulated me and my family as well. He’s a very down to earth man and I’m glad my future is in his hands.”
“I have been following a bit of the recruiting and I would love nothing more than to speak to some recruits about Army and encourage them. Those are possible future teammates and the future for the program. I’ll do anything to give a hand in brightening the future of USMA.”
So what were the determining factors that embellished his college decision?
“There’s an infinite list of factors that led to my commitment,” the safety prospect explained. “First of all it has been a dream of mine to serve this country and to be able to do it while playing the sport I love and getting the highest education possible ... there’s just no school in the same realm. The United States Military Academy just has so many things to offer and it’s nearly impossible to say no. The brotherhood that is formed there is a bond for life and there’s nothing that I want more in a school. This school will set up my future entirely. Their cadets are there number one priorities’ by far.”
Ciarlo readily admitted that there is both an excitement and relieve to have made his commitment at this time with the opportunity to focus on his senior football campaign and year.
“I’m as excited as ever,” he stated. “I’m the opposite of a procrastinator. I like to get things done early and especially with a decision as big as this, I’d like to express my loyalty to them as early as possible. I do believe that it will allow me to concentrate on my senior season and school year a little bit better without the worry of where I’ll be the following 4-5 years of my life.”
GBK ASSESSMENT:
Ciarlo is a long athlete, tough player and although listed by Rivals.com as a wide receiver, we project him being as a safety/DB for for the Black Knights. The Garden State product was on campus for the junior day in late January.
Currently, he maintains a 3.0 GPA and most likely will attend the USMAPS to start his Army West Point career.
Stay tuned as GoBlackKnights.com will have the breakdown of Ciarlo’s commitment and the impact his pledge will have on this 2018 recruiting class, so keep it right here as we have you covered with all the latest.
**To chat with other Army fans about this article and more, please visit The 12th Knight message board**
