It started out with so much promise. Air Force 1st Lt. Chad Hall peppered the highlight shows hauling down long passes as Philadelphia Eagles coaches lavished praise on one of three service academy alums competing in NFL training camps this summer. However, the harsh reality of the NFL is starting to catch up to the three lieutenants now that most NFL teams have finished three preseason games and coaches have to make hard decisions over who will end up on their 53-man rosters. Right now, it doesn’t look too good for Hall, Army 1st Lt. Caleb Campbell and Air Force…
Browsing: Ben Garland
Air Force Academy grad Ben Garland made a strong impression in his first preseason game with the Denver Broncos Sunday night, logging five tackles while playing on the defensive line. (Yes, it’s hard to believe, but After Action can confirm that a rookie other than Tim Tebow played in a Broncos uniform Sunday night. And no we were not one of the two reporters to ask for Tebow’s autograph after the game.) Garland has still not publicly announced if he will accept his pilot slot that is waiting for him at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, after he completes training…
Barring some unforeseen disaster, Army 1st Lt. Caleb Campbell will play his first NFL game when he runs out onto the field Saturday for the Detroit Lion’s first preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a huge step for a guy that spent the last two years on active duty in the Army and far, far away from the world of professional football. Campbell did a few interviews recently where he said he kept his distance by choice. While the former 7th-round draft pick had no say in his NFL dream being abruptly put on hold by the Army in…
Air Force Academy defensive end Ben Garland watched the NFL Draft with a hope, but not an expectation to get a call from an NFL team. Names kept running across the bottom of the screen of ESPN’s draft coverage when Garland’s phone starting ringing. The Denver Broncos asked if he wanted to go to their mini-camp. Garland never expected to garner any NFL interest. Not until the Air Force Academy’s strength and conditioning coach approached him after the Falcons’ bowl game had anyone ever mentioned it. It’s not that Garland didn’t have the type of standout senior year that leads…
Air Force senior defensive lineman Ben Garland has signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos. Garland, a second-team All-Mountain West Conference selection, led the Falcons in sacks (4.5) and tackles for a loss (10.5) last season. He also forced a fumble and blocked two kicks. Don’t expect Garland to be on the Invesco Field sidelines next season, however. Per DoD rules, service members must serve two years on active duty before applying for early release from their five-year commitment. Former Air Force standout Chad Hall, who signed with the Eagles in March, and former Army defensive back Caleb…
