The Army West Point record-holder for most rushing yards by a quarterback will attempt to make the Baltimore Ravens as a wide receiver. And if that seems like the strangest part of Trent Steelman’s path to an NFL roster, consider the following: Steelman, who signed with the Ravens over the weekend, reportedly received an offer from the Ravens in 2013, before he’d even graduated, but his service commitment trumped his football plans. While that commitment may have kept him from the NFL, Steelman attempted another high-level athletic pursuit, trying out for the U.S. Olympic bobsled team. After moving to the Army Reserve…
Browsing: Trent Steelman
Ten quick hits’ worth of military-related sports news before Congress tries to make all the academy football teams wear the same uniform (non-football news after the jump): 1. Bobsled-bound? Option quarterbacks need to be versatile, but former Army signal-caller Trent Steelman is taking things to a new level. Already under contract with the Baltimore Ravens, Steelman’s now in the running for a spot on the U.S. Olympic bobsled team, according to Army football guru Sal Interdonato. Steelman’s father told Interdonato that the Army officer performed well in the U.S. Bobsled Combine recently and will be participating in further qualifying events…
Four academy football hits, including an Air Force standout, two Army standouts and Navy’s bipolar 2014 schedule: 1. Garland’s new gig. Star Air Force defensive lineman Ben Garland joined the Broncos in 2010, left for active-duty Air Force service in 2011 and came back in 2012. The first lieutenant returns to Denver in 2013, but on the other side of the football — The Denver Post reported he’ll play offense this time around. He has not reached the active regular-season roster during his short NFL tenure. And he’ll also need to update his Twitter background picture. 2. Black Knight to…
Receiver. Running back. Quarterback. Kick returner. Long snapper? Trent Steelman was a dual threat for four seasons as Army’s starting quarterback, rushing his way to the most touchdowns in school history (45) while throwing for more than 2,700 career yards. He got a chance to show his rushing skills during the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday in St. Petersburg, Fla., scoring on a 7-yard dash in the third quarter to give the East team its only touchdown. Then, he lined up at long snapper for the extra point. There’s versatility, and then there’s football’s version of a Swiss Army knife.…
Trent Steelman’s final snap under center for the Black Knights was one to forget. But he’ll have another chance to wear Army’s football uniform before leaving West Point. Steelman and six other senior service-academy standouts have been invited to play in postseason all-star games. The Army quarterback will join Navy wideout Brandon Turner and Air Force offensive lineman Jason Kons at the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 19 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (4 p.m. Eastern). The game will be broadcast on the NFL Network. Steelman capped his Army career as the school’s all-time rushing touchdown leader (45). His 3,320 career…
The ground games have been impressive, as expected — Army ended the third quarter with 268 yards on the ground and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. But who figured so many key plays would come with the ball in the air? For example: On Navy’s first scoring drive, Keenan Reynolds fires an out pass to Matt Aiken, who needs five yards for a first down. He gets them the hard way, as Military Times photographer Thomas Brown captured above. Two plays later, it’s 7-0 Navy. Army gets the ball with 19 seconds to play in the first half, down…
Sick of spirit spots? Done with uniform updates? Ready for some football? For college gridiron die-hards and once-a-year big-game watchers alike, here’s what you need to know entering Saturday’s Army-Navy showdown. Who, where, when: Navy (7-4) vs. Army (2-9), Saturday, 3 p.m. Eastern, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Weather: Accuweather.com says to think spring — a few pregame showers, with temperatures approaching 60. Quick history: It’s the 113th meeting between the teams. Navy leads the series 56-49-7 and has won 10 straight, most in series history. Army’s last win came in Philadelphia in 2001 in Veterans Stadium, which no longer…
Another half-dozen Army-Navy tidbits, starting with a strategy discussion. No PowerPoints, we promise. 1. Cut it out. With the NFL considering banning blocks below the waist in 2013, Dan Wolken at USA Today takes a hard look at what such a move in college football could do the future of option offenses such as those used by all three service academies. It’s great timing for a great thought piece — cut blocks are a key weapon in the academy arsenal, allowing undersized linemen to compete in the trenches and giving defenders one more thing to think about while they try…
What Black Knights fans need to know entering the last game at West Point for 2012: Who, where, when: Temple (3-6, 2-4 Big East) at Army (2-8), Saturday, noon TV: CBS Sports Network (Ben Holden and Randy Cross have the call) Doubleheader action: Navy hosts Texas State on CBSSN immediately following Army’s game. Drink it in — no more Army or Navy football until the big game Dec. 8 in Philadelphia. Gambling is illegal in most states: Army is a 3.5-point favorite. Scouting th … wait, what?: Don’t doubt Las Vegas — Temple brings a better record and a fairly…
What Army fans need to know as the Black Knights make the trip from West Point to Piscataway: Who, where, when: Army (2-7) at Rutgers (7-1, No. 24 AP, No. 20 USA Today), Saturday, noon. TV: ESPNU (Joe Beninati and Pete Najarian have the call, making this a must-see game for hockey fans in need of a fix.) Gambling is illegal in most states: Rutgers is a 17-point favorite. Momentum shifts: It’s the old story of two teams going in opposite directions, but not the directions you’d expect. Army lost six of seven games before beating Air Force at home…