Navy football coach Paul Johnson has consistently credited the class of 2007 with laying the foundation for the Midshipmen’s renaissance over the last four years.
The fifth-year coach is now putting his faith in the class of 2011 to build on that foundation, one that boasts a modern-day school-record 35 games, including an 8-0 mark against fellow service academies Army and Air Force.
Johnson said he expects about 60 commitments from players throughout the country. Of those, 25 are expected to go directly to the Naval Academy, with the rest heading to the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I.
Unlike most traditional colleges, football recruits at Navy do not sign National Letters of Intent, which means that Johnson cannot comment on players until they arrive at Annapolis this summer. However, Johnson said generally he is pleased with the players he has recruited so far.
“It’s been a hectic time, but I feel like we have a good class and I like what I’ve seen so far,” Johnson said on Wednesday?s National Signing Day. “We’re trying to fill as many position as we can.”
The Examiner has confirmed a number of the players who have committed to Navy. Among them is Starrs Mill High quarterback Robby Davis, a 6-foot, 189-pounder from Fayetteville, Ga. A three-year starter, Davis ran the triple-option offense ? the same offense as Navy?s ? for two years before injuries forced the team into a spread offense last season.
“Robbie is a special kind of kid,” Starrs Mill coach Mike Earwood said. “He’s a very smart player who adjusted well to the change in offensein the middle of the season.”
Middle linebacker James Simien is among Navy’s defensive commitments. The 6-foot, 206-pounder from Norcross (Ga.) High had more than 150 tackles last season, according to his coach, Keith Maloof.
Some of Navy’s biggest holes to fill are on the defensive side, where the Midshipmen will graduate players like linebackers David Mahoney, Rob Caldwell and Tyler Tidwell, as well as defensive end John Chan and cornerback Keenan Little. Navy also must deal with the unexpected departure of freshman defensive back Jeromy Miles.
“Jeromy realized that the military commitment wasn’t for him,” Johnson said. “That commitment is something everyone knows about when they come here. We just have to move on without him.”
SELECTED NAVY COMMITMENTS
» James Simien (MLB) ? 6-foot, 206 pounds, Norcross (Ga.) High
» Jeff Battipaglia (OT) ? 6-5, 265, St. Joseph’s (Pa.) Prep School
» Brady DeMell (DT) ? 6-3, 250, Mentor (Ohio) High
» Neil Doogan (DE) ? 6-4, 235, St. Joseph’s (Pa.) Prep School
» Robby Davis (QB) ? 6-0, 189, Starrs Mill (Ga.) High
» John Cabbage (DE) ? 6-2, 225, Astronaut (Fla.) High
