Air Force coach Troy Calhoun expects to take a small but successful step with his first recruiting class in his three-year plan to have a senior-dominated team.
With only eight starters returning from last fall’s 9-4 team, Calhoun said Air Force’s football program is in a “rebuilding mode.”
With the prospect of small classes of junior and senior players in the next two years, the incoming freshmen become the first step in building toward the 2011 season.
“I believe we have successfully identified the players we want at all positions, and I’m pleased with what we see across the board,” Calhoun said. “We want to get to the point that three years from now, we’ll be a senior-dominated team.”
Last fall, 26 seniors helped the Falcons to their first winning season in four years.
The academy’s interpretation of the Federal Privacy Act prohibits Calhoun from identifying players of interest or commenting on them. Players entering the academy aren’t bound by the NCAA’s letter-of-intent signing date. They gain admission through the congressional appointment process.
According to Internet recruiting sites, defensive tackle Kebin Umodu of West Covina, Calif., and offensive lineman A.J. Wallerstein of Canyon Country, Calif., are among the most highly rated players AFA is looking to acquire.
One of Calhoun’s first changes as head coach was to adopt a more specific recruiting strategy. He initially expected the new class would contain 30 to 35 players, but he has adjusted that to probably fewer than 30.
Calhoun’s immediate goal is to make some additional alterations in Air Force’s offense that abandoned the basic triple option of the past. He also wants a more dominant defensive unit.
“We’d like to improve our team’s ability to close up space quickly in the open field,” Calhoun said.
Calhoun has tentatively scheduled March 4 for the beginning of spring practice.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
