Army lost something aside from Saturday’s football game against Navy.
The college football website On3.com first reported Army sophomore running back Kanye Udoh had announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal and a post on X/Twitter from Udoh’s account (@KanyeUdoh6) hours later confirmed his decision. This would serve as a severe blow to the Army run game.
“I have made the decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal,” Udoh said in his post. “This has not been an easy choice, as my time at Army has been incredibly rewarding, both on and off the field. I’ve learned and grown in ways I could never have anticipated when I first joined the program, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve had here.”
Udoh is rugged at 6-foot, 218 pounds, but very fleet of foot, able to dance through holes and accelerate quickly in the clear. He has rushed 179 times for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, ranking second on the team in both categories behind quarterback Bryson Daily.
In Saturday’s 31-13 loss to Navy, Udoh had 14 carries for 53 yards, with a long gain of 12 yards.
His top rushing efforts this season have come against Tulane (158 yards), Air Force (158), Tulsa (137), Temple (128) and East Carolina (102). He rushed for a pair of touchdowns against Lehigh in the season opener, Tulsa and Air Force and single scores against Florida Atlantic, Temple, UAB and Tulane. He had a notable 72-yard gainer against Tulane a week earlier, getting stopped inside the 5-yard line and setting up an Army score as the Black Knights won the American Athletic Conference.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to Coach Monken, the coaching staff, my teammates, and everyone in the Army football community for their support, guidance and camaraderie,” Udoh wrote on Twitter. “I’ve formed friendships that turned into family and I will always carry the pride of being a part of the Army Football Brotherhood. I’m excited for what the future holds and the next chapter in my journey, but I will forever treasure the time I spent at West Point and the lessons I’ve learned as a member of the Brotherhood. Thank you again to everyone who has supported me during my time here. I wish nothing but the best for Army Football and will always be rooting for the team’s success.”
Udoh entering the transfer portal would likely take him out of the Dec. 28 Independence Bowl game with Louisiana Tech. Army could fill with the likes of Jake Rendina, though his talents have primarily been providing outstanding blocking for the leading rushing team in the nation. The Black Knights could put more emphasis on the slot backs, and the durable Daily — facing his final collegiate game — could take on more responsibilities having already topped 25-plus carries five times in the last six games, including 38 against Notre Dame and 36 against North Texas.
Unlike many Army recruits who do not receive offers from other Division I schools, Udoh drew some interest from West Virginia and Syracuse before heading to West Point. He was a high school teammate of Army center Brady Small at St. Augustine Preparatory.
All West Point students in their freshman and sophomore years are able to transfer out of the Academy. However, once a cadet attends the first day of classes for their junior year they become affirmed to the school and their military service commitment.
The NCAA transfer portal has taken on a life of its own in recent seasons. The old rule of having to sit out a year after transferring was done away with, allowing multitudes of college athletes to transfer with no risk of penalty and immediate eligibility — well over 1,000 football players flooded the portal just last week with the conclusion of the regular season and ahead of any bowl games. Army football has not been spared, losing a pair of young quarterbacks — Champ Harris and Larry Robinson — after last season. Current back Tyrell Robinson entered the portal following the 2021 season but withdrew.
Former wide receiver Isaiah Alston announced his intention to enter the portal after the 2023 season but since he was a junior he was initially denied his departure to play for Iowa State – he later was granted a release and he played 10 games with the Cyclones as a redshirt junior, making no catches. He also considered transferring after the 2021 season.
kmcmillan@th-record.com
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
