BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Navy doesn’t recruit football players. It evaluates them.

That’s the philosophy Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said his program takes when trying to convince football players to take a chance by coming to Annapolis. The first-year coach expects to have about 60 commitments from players as far away as Honolulu and as close as Pasadena by the time plebe summer begins in June.

Unlike other schools, Navy does not receive national letters of intent from its football recruits since the school does not give scholarships, and the service academy does not release an official list of freshmen players until they enroll in spring. The Baltimore Examiner, however, has confirmed at least 29 have committed to Navy, including five from Maryland.

“We’re excited about the kids we’re getting,” said Niumatalolo, who took over as head coach for the Georgia Tech-bound Paul Johnson in December. “We’ve got some guys who we think can help us now and others who we project will be contributors in the near future.”

Niumatalolo said, much like Johnson before him, he is looking for players with speed and the versatility needed to play several positions. It’s the same approach Johnson used to build a program that has gone to a bowl game and won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in each of the past five seasons. Navy finished 8-5 after losing in the Poinsettia Bowl in December.

Navy’s class, however, is not highly regarded by national recruiting analysts, as the Midshipmen’s incoming class was ranked 105th by Scout.com and 113th by Rivals out of 135 schools.

“A lot of the guys we look at are late bloomers,” Niumatalolo said. “Many schools may think they are an inch too short or a pound too light to play Division I football. But, we see players who have the chance to succeed if put in the right position.”

Among those Navy recruits from Maryland is Evan Campbell, a 6-5, 235-pound lineman from Chesapeake High in Anne Arundel County. The other known Baltimore-area recruit is River Hill linebacker Jonathan Hill. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Clarksville resident had 80 tackles and four sacks for the 2A state champion Hawks.

River Hill coach Brian Van Deusen said he expects Hill to make a smooth transition to the regimented military life as a Midshipman, who each will have to serve in the Navy for five years upon graduation. Hill is expected to be among about 20 recruits who enroll at Navy this fall; the rest will arrive in Annapolis if they successfully complete a year at the Naval Academy Preparatory school in Newport, R.I.

“Jon is a perfect example of what a student-athlete is supposed to be,” Van Deusen said. “He is a hard worker with the leadership skills and dedication necessary to be successful at the Naval Academy.”

Name, Pos, City, Height, Weight

Bruce Andrews, WR, Kailua, Hawaii,6-0, 190

Hal Bowron, WR, Birmingham, Ala., 6-1, 192

Jarren Brown, SB, Upper Marlboro, Md., 5-8, 188

Syril Gaines, QB, Midlothian, Va., 6-2, 215

Chris Hill, SB, Lansing, Kan., 5-9, 195

Ricky Kyles, DB, Bristow, Va., 6-2, 180

Gordon Law, QB, Berwick, Pa., 6-0, 180

Kriss Proctor, QB, Big Bear, Calif., 6-1, 160

Jarred Shannon, DB, Gainesville, Fla., 6-1, 195

Cooper Shockley, SB, Westlake Village,

Calif., 5-10, 180

Kameron Smith, QB, Garner, N.C., 6-0, 175

Eric Stein, LB, Carpinteria, Calif., 6-1, 210

David Sumrall, OL, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 6-5, 240

Jon Teague, K/P, Hickory, N.C., 6-2, 180

Jabaree Tuani-McKissack, DL, Madison, Tenn., 6-0, 220

Evan Campbell, OL, Pasadena, Md. 6-5, 235

Jonathan Hill, LB, Clarksville, Md., 6-1, 230

Ashby Christian, SB, Bowie, Md 5-10, 210

Kevin Eckel, FB, Haverford, Pa., 6-1, 199

Demetrous Garrett, SB, Nashville, Tenn., 5-7, 165

Terna Ityokumbul, FB, Boalsburg, Pa., 6-0, 225

Mookie Lewis, DB, Conroe, Texas, 5-10, 168

Adrian Marcus, SB, Maylene, Ala., 5-10, 202

De’Von Richardson, DB, Bowie, Md. 6-0, 190

Matthew Shibata, WR, 6-0, 185, Honolulu, Hawaii

Steve Spada, OL, Riverdale, N.J., 6-3, 260

Collin Sturdivant, DL, High Point, N.C., 6-3, 235

Brandon Turner, WR, Renton, Wash., 6-3, 185

David Zapata, SB, Cameron, N.Y., 5-7, 170

*This list was compiled by the Examiner and various Internet recruiting services. This is not a complete list of Navy football recruits.

Comments from Examiner Readers

7:24 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 25, 2008 re: "Navy, new coach start spring practices"

Examiner Reader said:
The spring game is actually April 18 @ 7pm.

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6:47 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 25, 2008 re: "Navy, new coach start spring practices"

Former Player said:
I will admit that when I heard Coach Johnson left Navy I was disappointed and nervous with what direction Navy football would go. After they promoted Coach Niumatalolo to Head Coach, I can honestly say that I am more excited about Navy football now then I have ever been. I played for coach Niumat for 2 years and he is by far the best coach I have ever been around. His knowledge of the triple option not only rivals the creator's (Coach Johnson), his ability to connect with each player at a much deeper level will allow him to bring out the very best in each player and put together a cohesive group of young men that believe in themselves as well as their coaches! Go Navy, Beat Everyone!

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8:50 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 29, 2007 re: "Navy hopes to end 43-game drought to Irish"

Examiner Reader said:
With all due respect to the Adm Fowler, he doesn't even attend his own year group's tailgaters. He's focused on the mission, just not much of a social butterfly. His communication skills aren't lacking, they're non-existent and that's the crux of the problem. He hasn't had a Supe's call for the Brigade since he initiated changes just prior to the academic year starting. He might have a great plan, but, no one knows where he's headed, only he does. Now for football. Navy just needs the defense to make a few stops and the offense can put the points on the board. Fifty two points should be enough to win any game. The Irish offense probably can't wait to get on the field Saturday. Go Navy! Beat the Notre Dame!

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1:29 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 12, 2007 re: "Mids defense comes through in the clutch"

Examiner Reader said:
Nuc Sumariners are very capable people who are trained to leave nothing to chance in accomplishing their mission. That's why we never hear about submarine related nuclear incidents. Unfortunately, we HAVE heard about submarine collisions, which has prompted the sub community leadership to remind the troops that in their zeal to make sure the plant runs safely, they also need to occasionally get their heads up above the deckplates and watch where they're going ! In like fashion, it sounds like Adm Fowler needs to come up to the bridge and get a sniff of some fresh air. And he should take a look around while he's up there. There's more to making a good officer than attending to academic and military training. How about some balance, Admiral? It's called the Whole Man/Woman Concept, or even the "Big Picture".

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12:51 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 12, 2007 re: "Mids defense comes through in the clutch"

Examiner Reader said:
This guy is a loose cannon. In an effort to 'make a name for himself,' he places his individual ego and arrogance above the morale and spirit of the Naval Academy and the armed forces in general. As a Naval Academy graduate, I'm embarrassed by his poor example of leadership.

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7:06 AM MST on Wed., Sep. 19, 2007 re: "Navy gets some good news"

Examiner Reader said:
Annapolis, MD (WTF). VADM Fowler today issued a statement via his command judge advocate general (JAG) that the Academy is seriously considering cancelling this year's Army-Navy football game. VADM Fowler's statement explained that the game's proximity to final exams and the Christmas holiday was causing a lot of angst in the Brigade and might "serve as a distraction". He further explained that although the decision might be unpopular, his job is "not to do the popular thing but rather the right thing." The Superintendent emphasized that this move was not unprecedented. "In 1917 and 1918, the Army-Navy game was not played due to WWI. What better way to reinforce the fact that we're at war than to cancel the Army-Navy game?" The Admiral's statement stressed that the decision was not final, but an Academy spokesman said "I wouldn't be booking any rooms in Baltimore if I were you."

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7:43 PM MST on Mon., Aug. 27, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
I'm traveling up writing "Free the Brigade" on the back window in protest to Fowler. Dumb Nuke move. Know what I mean, Vern?

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7:24 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
Look at the financial headaches this could cause

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6:14 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
The Midshipmen are miserable with the changes and the Supe has one of the worst leadership examples set forth in the navy. You would not have wanted to be on his ship. Sad day for Navy.

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4:12 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
We've been a nation "at war" for almost 6 years now and only the services have been sacrificing, not the country "at large." It sounds like Adm Fowler is going to try to reverse this in his small way. Guess what -- it's DUMB! Making the Brigade of of Midshipmen the "sacrificial lamb" will not compensate for the nation's indifference and their overall lack involvement. He might even be manifesting the Navy's overall lack of involvement, in comparison to the Marines and Army. I wonder how many top notch Midies are now contemplating transfering. If I was a youngster, I probably would -- and I served for 20 years in the Artillery and Military Intel. Dumb Admiral! ...just dumb.

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3:01 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
To quote President George W. Bush, "Join today's military and you're history."

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2:14 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

USNA Alum [Ancient Mariner] said:
I have no qualms about and support the return to mandatory study hours ... it is the way I and thousands of others went through 4 years at "the Boat School/Canoe U/Sing Sing on the Severn" and benefited therefrom. I also agree with the Admiral's dedication to USNA's Mission. However, that said, I think he has gone off the deep end and over-reacted. The Team and the Brigade are a powerful recruiting tool and the Team is a necessary morale element for the Brigade, just as the Brigade is for the Team. I believe the Supe should have listened more before he leapt to lead. Hopefully, he will see the errors and correct them which is the sign of a true leader. Meanwhile, all he has accomplished is giving credence to the Brigade's nickname for the Academy's Admin ... the Dark Side !

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1:32 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
Admiral Fowler sent an open letter to Midshipman parents that reads in part: .... Since my change of command I have been using the Chief of Naval Operations� approach for taking on a new position of responsibility: listen, learn, and lead. I have spent the summer listening and learning, and now it is time for me to lead. My Senior Leadership Team and I want to make sure our course is set to prepare your sons and daughters to become the best junior officers in the Fleet; officers with competence, character, and compassion..... ... Every member of our Naval Academy team must be focused on developing midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically for the privilege of serving as leaders of Sailors and Marines who volunteered to serve their country. Develop is an active verb requiring intrusive leadership from staff, faculty, and coaches. We must direct and facilitate the development of our midshipmen to accomplish the mission with a sense of urgency....

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11:30 AM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
With the sweeping changes Admiral Fowler proposes, including cancelling movement orders to sports events and cancelling musical groups/concerts, I would think some alumni would start calling their congressmen/senators. I know some parents have begun. Most of us that sent our kids to USNA sent intelligent, emotionally mature over-achievers that have NOT needed babysitting in quite some time.

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11:04 AM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
Great idea Supe Fowler. We certianly wouldn't want the Midshipman to have any personal enjoyment during the four years they have as young adults waiting to possibly sacrifice their lives for our country. Best to have them locked down and preparing to go to war. If we treated our other military members who were at home waiting for deployment this way there would be public outcry. Let us not forget that these men and women are enlisted and considered active duty military.

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9:49 AM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Policy shift leaves brigade at home"

Examiner Reader said:
With 3,000+ Midshipmen back in Annapolis not being distracted by the Navy football game, I wonder how the Superintendent and Commandant can be at the game. Surely they're not distracted by football while their troops are back home as they prepare to serve. I don't think the fleet cares whether or not Midshipment are at a football game on a Friday night supporting their team. Leaving them all at home doesn't show any support for the Navy-Marine Corps team. This shows a lack of vision. If all is well and the Academy is fine as the leadership states, then this direction stems from some sort of ill that the team wants to correct. Granted, the Academy has had some problems with specific Mids. No college/university is without problems. These Mids that were responsible were held accountable. If this is being done to effect change, that's one thing. Leaving the Brigade to attend an evening meal formation and leave no time to support THEIR team doesn't show suppor

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