Last season recruiting class saw the Black Knights bring in seven quarterbacks, including Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year, Paul McIntosh. Of those seven, four remain as part of the Army football program and this season, the staff has yet to receive a verbal commitment at the quarterback position.

GoBlackKnights.com reported in the "Who is still on Board" article (dtd 12/29), that there are at least three quarterbacks that are recruiting priorities for Coach Rich Ellerson and his staff. Talented quarterback, Austin Dantinout of Tallahassee (FL) Leon is one of on the priority list.

Along with his offer from Army, the athletic quarterback has offers from Appalachian State, Toledo, and Central Michigan. In addition, he is hearing from Michigan, Southern Mississippi and Air Force.

The 6-foot-2, 185 pounder signal caller has already set-up official visits with Appalachian State and Central Michigan, but is hoping to lock down dates with Army and Toledo, along with Michigan. "I might take a mid-week visit to either Army or Toledo … or set-up an official after my visit to ASU, and also a possible visit to Michigan … but I won't go up there (Michigan) without an offer from them," declares Dantin.

According to Dantin, he is hearing from Michigan at least twice per week, but it is the hands on recruiting and in-home visit from Army's defensive line coach Clarence Holmes that has put the Black Knights in a favorable position with Dantin. "Coach Holmes was at my house on Monday and things went really well," shares Dantin. "We talked about Coach Ellerson, the offense they will be running, West Point in general, what West Point has to offer, the academic and the life long benefits of being a graduate of West Point."

Along with excelling on the football field, Dantin brings his 35 inch vertical jumping ability to the hard court, where he is averaging 21 ppg this season. Has Dantin had a chance to show off his leaping ability? "I had one chance to dunk and I was finally able to throw it down," shares the proud athlete. But when asked if he understands that there's a difference in dunking versus dunking on someone, Dantin was quick to respond. "I am taking baby steps in that area," says a laughing Dantin.
Keep it here as GoBlackKnights.com continues to follow the recruiting of Austin Dantin as well as all of Army's recruiting for the class of 2009.


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