How Air Force navigates college football’s modern era with tradition and tenacity in recruiting

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — When Air Force coach Troy Calhoun looks across the field during Saturday’s game on CBS Sports Network, he’ll see one of college football’s two FBS teams that aren’t in a conference — UConn. Air Force, one of three FBS service academies, is not in a conference. This hasn’t stopped them from recruiting players, using NIL, or recruiting through the transfer portal. Army and Navy both play in the American Athletic Conference on the East Coast. Calhoun has a conference, the Mountain West. But that will be radically different in 2026. But what he doesn’t have is the ability to recruit the portal or offer ample NIL.So, how does an FBS program recruit in college football’s modern era — where roster management, NIL and the portal impact just about every program beyond Colorado Springs, Colorado, Annapolis, Maryland, and West Point, New York?

Calhoun, CBS Sports, said that “it all begins, program-wise with recruiting.” “When you go to visit a family and a child, you will be asked about NIL. Everybody will ask you about NIL. This is the age in which we live.”What we have to offer is far greater than NIL. This is not always well received by recruits or their families. We must be prepared for these questions. It is not an extended conversation.”Recruiting focus on academics, character and characterCalhoun concentrates on the bigger picture opportunities that attending Air Force Academy can bring.

Calhoun stated that “it’s much more of a part of our conversation with players.” In the modern day, academics are rarely mentioned at conference meetings. The players we target are more interested in what is expected at an academy — academic packages and military commitments, as well as character, toughness and leadership.”More and more schools have opted out of the contact period between the fall/winter months to focus on their own teams or roster maintenance. Air Force dives right in.Calhoun stated that no one values the contact period as much as we do. There is a clear difference between the eval and contact periods. We are very involved in the home visits as well as the school visits.

“It’s more than just watching them work out. They will ask good questions about our program and what we have to offer.”Portal limits and developmental challengesThe Portal might as well be a foreign country for Air Force, although the Falcons lose players because of it.Calhoun stated, “We don’t and we haven’t.” It’s not that he is against it philosophically — it’s more about the requirements necessary to attend Air Force Academy.

Calhoun stated, “We would not take one out the portal.” “But you’d have to start at the beginning with basic training.” Each player will have to complete basic training.We haven’t taken a move since we arrived. Most players who are interested in the portal want a fast transition.Calhoun is aware that a number of schools are building their rosters through the portal. This can make it difficult for him to face other rosters.

Calhoun explained, “We have fewer fifth-year students coming in. You have stronger bonds.” “You’ve got more transformational relationships.” You need to be aware that the time you have with them is very limited.”The next challenge is how you match up. We’ll play players aged 19 and 23. The bodies of older men are different. That’s real.”We have some younger guys, 17-18 years old, who had the math aptitude when they were just 4-5. While they were academically gifted, they didn’t have the physical strength of some of our rivals.

His staff also tries to keep Colorado Springs players and maintain its roster.Calhoun confirmed that tampering was a common problem. “We had a guy who was a sophomore at us, now playing for a Big Ten college.”I know that we play a lot of freshmen and second-year players who are attractive to programs, so I understand the tampering.”

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Air Force remains the same – who and how it recruits will not change, even if the Mountain West is raided by the Pac-12.Calhoun told reporters that he didn’t believe the conference aspect of it affected them much. You can only recruit a student who has a minimum SAT of 1200. No matter which conference we are in, we must recruit academically. Many schools, including Ivies, do not require a test score.”On one hand, we encourage guys to take tests and test regularly. The academic foundation is crucial — we require calculus, chemistry and physics.

“You will also serve after.” They know what is going on in politics. They’re astute. These are the things we discuss in recruiting conversations.Calhoun, his staff and the service academy are recruiting nationally despite being on Mountain Time, while their peers are Eastern.”Only 10% are from Mountain time,” he stated. Another 10% are from Hawaii and the Pacific. We’re 40% Central time zone and 40% Eastern time zone.

Most of our players are from the east side of continental divide. Hurlburt Field, one of the largest Air Force bases in Florida, is on your list. North Carolina has the major transports.”The major decisions are made in the Pentagon and anything that happens in the Middle East comes out of an Air Force Base. The majority of football players that we recruit come from Texas or the Southeast.Answering questions regarding the academy and commitment is important after football. They are not familiar with the military and quickly understand the importance of their commitment.Calhoun stated that 90% of the players did not come from military families. “It’s uncommon. We’re trying to educate them about the program because most don’t have much knowledge before junior year. In many ways, we are aligned with the Patriot League as well as the Ivy League.”It is not a swimming pool, it is a tiny puddle from which you are choosing. You’re searching for the right person. It’s important to consider the testing (SAT and ACT) and their academic background before they come.”And the commitment, the willingness to serve. The young person must be able to do this. We look for character traits such as the fortitude to serve, a willingness to do so, and being part of a larger cause.It is also the reason why Air Force does not tend to extend early offer while their conference brethren do.Calhoun stated that “we tend to wait until the January of their junior years to extend offers.” “We require a minimum of five semesters on a transcript. We want to be sure that the student can meet the requirements for the academy in math and science.The academic part of the pretest, SAT and ACT has to be correct. We want to be sure that the kids we work with know if academics are not going well.Air Force doesn’t accept early enrollees either. Since players don’t sign an intent to enroll or a letter of intention, they will keep track of them until their senior year. Air Force’s senior evaluation is still of great value.Calhoun stated that “we can watch their senior films and the senior assessment matters here.” “You can watch the first four matches. You have to check their transcripts as soon as you notice someone you are interested in. Do they have the minimum amount of language? Pre-calculus? Calculus or pre-calculus is required.”Boys mature later and you’re playing a sport that is more developmental. Now you are going to go off at 17-18 instead 15Air Force is known for bringing in and keeping one of the largest classes in college football.Calhoun stated that “we would like to have two-deep in each position because our retention is very good once you arrive.” We’ve been fortunate for the players who come to our academy. You are working off three and a half years and forty months. In this day and age, with a lot of players playing five years early enroll and schools that have guys involved for over 55-60 months.”The 40-month window compared to what we could face in the future is huge. The younger guys are usually the ones we start with, because they have such advanced academics. Some schools may have college-age players, while others might start college when they are 19. This is a huge difference, especially for men.Calhoun is proud of his accomplishments in succeeding his mentor, Fisher DeBerry who ran the program for the past 23 seasons.Calhoun explained that “this place is unlike anywhere else in the country.” The players, young men, and coaches we work with know the Air Force Academy offers more than just football.”We are not only interested in winning football games but building fine young men.”

2025-11-13 19:19:09