Every year, high school football recruits pick one of the service academies over one or both of the other two. Air Force, Navy and Army all fish in the same small pool of qualified recruits, so it’s bound to happen.

Air Force and Navy, in particular, have intense recruiting battles. This year, defensive end Ryan Watson, running backs Markez Davis and Nnaji Omenye, offensive lineman Brandon Greene and defensive linemen Randy Frost and Tanner Fleming were among the players reportedly being sought by Navy and Air Force who eventually settled on the Falcons.

The decision by Jalen Noble of St. Francis DeSales High School in Ohio was a little more involved than that. The other players choosing between service academies probably didn’t have their dad’s classmates at his 25th class reunion trying to convince him to follow his father’s footsteps and go to Army.

Bill Noble played three seasons for Army football, as a wide receiver. When his son, a talented cornerback, started looking into his college choices, Bill Noble was hopeful he would end up at West Point.

“I went into it hoping Jalen would make the decision to go to Army,” Bill Noble said. “The institution has a soft spot in my heart. The more we went through the process, Air Force just has a dynamic staff and the program is first class. It was just impressive. I think it’s a better fit for Jalen, knowing his personality and what he wants to do.”

Bill Noble said his classmates – including some that lobbied Jalen during the visit to West Point to play for the Black Knights – were split when they heard the news. Some were happy for Jalen. Some couldn’t believe he didn’t go to Army.

Jalen Noble said he enjoyed Colorado Springs, liked that Air Force had been to five straight bowl games, liked the academy, and the coaching staff impressed him.

“Nothing against the coaching staffs of the other academies, but the staff at Air Force is one of best I’ve ever dealt with,” Jalen Noble said.

Jalen Noble said when his dad was on his visit with him at Air Force, he cracked some jokes but thought his father enjoyed the academy as well. Bill Noble said he’s just proud of his son and glad he made his own decision that he is comfortable with, although he can’t completely shake his Army roots when he talks about it.

“As tough as it is for me to start wearing blue, I’ll be there to cheer him on,” Bill Noble said with a laugh. “I’ll always be a West Point graduate but I’ll be wearing blue on Saturdays.”

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