Navy Midshipmen Football Offseason Preview

The Navy Midshipmen have had so much success over the past 20 years, which makes this more recent downturn harder to take. Navy and its fans have become used to winning. From 2003 through 2017, Navy failed to make a bowl game in only one season. From 2015 through 2019, a period of five seasons, Navy won nine or more games three times, and it won 11 games twice in that span. Navy was able to produce superb quarterbacks who could run the triple-option offense with fluidity, confidence and precision. Then came 2020. Navy got blitzed, bruised, and bewildered, winning only three games that year. The triple-option offense ground to a halt, and Navy – used to scoring 35 points per game and dictating the style of play with its offense – was suddenly helpless and lost at sea. This program had established such a clear identity and an obvious formula for success, but with the offense hugely struggling, there was no Plan B to turn to. The defense actually played well, but this program depends on its offense to be good. Navy can’t win if its offense isn’t good.

The struggles of 2020 carried into 2021. Last year’s Navy offense averaged just 20 points per game, which is nowhere close to the winning standard the program had set in 2019 and most of the previous decade. Navy finished 4-8 and once again missed a bowl game, creating fears that this program under coach Ken Niumatalolo is losing steam and is out of ideas. It is clear where this team must improve in order to return to its winning ways.

Key Personnel Lost

Navy had some terrific senior leaders on defense last year, especially linebacker Diego Fagot, who was brilliant in run support and was the team’s most consistent player by far. It will be hard to live without Fagot’s production, but even harder to exist without his tremendous leadership. Safety Kevin Brennan was another important piece of a defense which did really well in 2021. He will be missed, too.

Important Incoming Freshmen

Quarterback Chris Calhoun chose Navy over Air Force and Army. He wants to run the triple option offense and is made for that assignment. Given how much Navy has struggled on offense in recent years, it will be fascinating to see if Calhoun gets meaningful snaps and experience as a freshmen this season, or if he is kept as a backup on the depth chart.

Tight end Gracen Bell is 6-feet-6 and a huge target in the red zone and in third-and-medium situations. He could be a fascinating new addition to an offense which rarely relies on tight ends for anything other than blocking for the running game.

Key Position Battles

The offensive line remains the first priority for Navy. The offensive line was a mess in each of the last two seasons, hence why Navy struggled so much on offense and overall. It’s true that injuries played a part in the 2021 struggles. Navy had to use nine different offensive line combinations last year because of all the injuries. Five different Navy players started at guard, five different players started at the tackle positions, and three different Navy players started at center. The program needs stability, and it needs to find who can rise to the challenge on the O-line this year.

Biggest Offseason Goal(s)

It all starts with the offensive line for Navy football. Getting that position group straightened out offers the quickest path to restoration and recovery.