Welcome to the twelfth and final post in our twelve-part recruiting breakdown series. Today will look at the #12 team in our rankings, Air Force. The Falcons always have a difficult recruiting class to evaluate, but this year continues a trend in the wrong direction. Read more about that trend below.
The Skinny:
- Recruits signed: 37
- High school: 37
- Offensive: 15
- Defensive: 18
- Athlete: 1
- Special Teams: 3
- Number of 3-stars per 247 rankings:
- Players with a rating over 85:
- Players with a rating over 82:
- Breakdown by state (Based on those who said they are signing):
- Texas: 12
- California: 6
- Florida: 6
- Ohio: 5
- Georgia: 3
- Colorado: 2
- Illinois: 2
- Tennessee: 2
- Arizona: 1
- Indiana: 1
- Minnesota: 1
- New Mexico: 1
- North Carolina: 1
- Oklahoma: 1
- Washington: 1
- Wisconsin: 1
- Utah: 1
- 247 Rankings (subject to change)
- Recruiting: 141
- Transfer: N/A
- Overall: 141
High School Players:
QB Case Vanden Bosch
Stand out skills:
- Big arm capable of making accurate passes downfield
- Displays solid vision on scrambles and designed runs to find the holes in the defense
- Nice shiftiness to avoid tackles as he bounces to the outside
- Tough runner who fights for extra yards and isn’t afraid of contact
RB Jayden Riley
Stand out skills:
- Blazing speed once hit gets the ball, flying past would-be tacklers and into the open field
- Able to run between the tackles as well as on the outside, darting through traffic
- Smooth change of direction to put defenders on skates
- Comfortable in multi-back sets and misdirection players in the backfield
RB Grady Kinsey
Stand out skills:
- Effective at taking tosses and pitches on the move, getting up to speed as he gets to the line of scrimmage
- Keeps his feet moving and spins out of tackles to pile up the chunk plays
- Can be a bruiser between the tackles, running right over defenders
- Features nice straight-line speed and keeps his head up to find the rushing lanes
RB Nathaniel Bruce
Stand out skills:
- Tough, downhill runner who isn’t afraid of contact
- Runs through arm tackles in traffice at he breaks free in the second level
- Does a great job following his blocks and demonstrates strong ball security
- Ideal for the fullback spot due to solid build and running style
WR Braylon Johnson
Stand out skills:
- Athletic and used to making plays with the ball in his hands
- Great vision, finding running lanes as he flies downfield
- Able to change direction in tight spaces and make defenders miss
TE Mason Riddle
Stand out skills:
- Adapt at slipping off the line and down the seam for explosive plays
- Vicious blocker, staying low to gain leverage and driving players back with lower body strength
- Combines long arms and reliable hands to make him a great target in the passing game
- Able to keep moving, making multiple blocks to open up running lanes for rushers
OL William Hesse
Stand out skills:
- Takes immediate action after the snap to execute his assignment
- Plows through defenders in the run game, knocking them down to clear up space
- Nimble with solid football in pass protection, staying low, and staying in front of pass rushers
- Displays a disciplined technique in his movements
OL Jacob Beatty
Stand out skills:
- Aggressive player, forcefully initiating blocks in the run game
- Locks onto defenders, not letting go until the whistle is blown
- Does a good job picking up blitzes and stunts, and reacts quickly
- Moves well around the pocket to keep the defense in front of him
OL Caleb Rye
Stand out skills:
- Regularly finishes off his blocks by pancaking defenders
- Good at maintaining his balance while on the move, doing well going forward and laterally
- Frequently executes multiple blocks on a play to help running backs spring free
- At his best as a run blocker wehre he can utilize his lower body strength
OL Cael Gago
Stand out skills:
- Springs into action after snapping the ball, resetting the line of scrimmage with his blocks
- Sturdy in pass protection, neutralizing pass rushers and matching their movements
- Takes his man completely out of the play, knocking them off balance before they can react
- Keeps his legs constantly moving to maintain an advantage over the defender
DL Charlie Burton
Stand out skills:
- Engulfs ballcarriers with his tackles, wrapping up and giving them no space to move
- Pushes linemen away with his strength, giving him more room operate in the backfield
- Moves well once he gets going to track down scrambling quarterbacks
- Displays an array of rushing moves to beat his man and blow up plays
DE Aiden Monigold
Stand out skills:
- Displays plus closing speed to get to the quarterback and complete the sack
- Keeps his hands active to bat down passes and pick off throws
- Uses jab steps and speed rushes to get past blockers off the snap
- Able to keep contain and stay patient on run plays
DE Xander Shaw
Stand out skills:
- Relentless pass rusher, disrupting offenses in the backfield
- Stout in run support, standing his ground, and wrapping up well on tackles
- Does a great job throwing blockers off him and sliding over to cover gaps
- Takes good angles to the quarterback to pile up sacks
DE Blaze Jones
Stand out skills:
- High motor player who gets past the line of scrimmage with ease
- Strong athlete who can bull rush or shed blocks to have clear lanes to the quarterback
- Patient in run support, setting the edge and taking down running backs
- Does well keeping his hands up to bat down passes
LB Brady Kuhn
Stand out skills:
- Able to blow up screens in the flat by fighting through blocks to get to the ball
- Solid blitzer off the edge who can often get a running start to flock to the QB
- Fundamental tackler who frequently gets to ball carriers in the backfield
- At his best around the line of scrimmage, plugging up gaps and shutting down running backs
LB Henry Newton
Stand out skills:
- Solid in pass coverage, jumping routes, and making plays on the ball
- Does a good job blitzing off the edge, disrupting the timing of the QB on pass plays
- Reads quarterbacks well, which aids him when positioning himself on the field
- Strong tackler on the run, bringing down ball carriers at full speed
DB Knight Wilson
Stand out skills:
- Roams the secondary, featuring instinctual play and a good eye for the ball
- Plus hands from his time playing wide receiver
- Able to step up in the run game to bring players down in the open field
- Play recognition allows him to run to where the pass will be and tackle players immediately
DB Wes Buford
Stand out skills:
- Physical athlete who isn’t afraid of contact in the thick of run plays
- Does well squaring up on players to make hard hits, stopping ball carriers in their tracks
- Moves well laterally to go where the action is and fill up holes in the trenches
- Able to sit back in coverage as a deep safety and watch plays unfold
DB Damian Horace
Stand out skills:
- Violent hitter in the secondary, breaking up would-be completions
- Flocks to the ball in the run game, stopping running backs at the line of scrimmage
- Solid in coverage, staying close to receivers so he can make plays on the ball
- Good play recognition helps him be in the right place when passes are thrown
DB Andres DiGrigoli
Stand out skills:
- Good open field tackler, putting his whole body into hits
- Fluid movements in coverage, allowing wide receivers little separation
- Does a great job getting his hands on passes to cause deflections or interceptions
- Most comfortable as a deep safety, where he can race downhill or drift back to make plays
Quick Hits:
(high school players only)
Headliner(s):
Mike: Wilson, Buford
Prominent Talent:
Mike: Vanden Bosch, Jones
Favorite Recruit(s):
Mike: Wilson, Newton
Sleeper Recruit(s):
Mike: Horace, Newton
Best unit(s):
Mike: Defensive Back, Running Back
Transfer Players
Air Force, as most know, does not have any transfer additions in their class. Technically, they can add incoming transfers, but the academy rules and requirements make it extremely difficult. First of all, any incoming player must start as a freshman, or at least spend four years in the program. This would be unappealing to many transfers, especially upperclassmen. Also, if a college athlete did not want to go into the Air Force out of high school, it’s unlikely they would want to after spending a year or two at another college.
Summary:
The Falcons covered all their position bases in this class to varying degrees. However, they were a bit light on running backs, tight ends, and defensive linemen this year. Instead, they loaded up on wide receivers, offensive linemen, edge rushers, linebackers, and defensive backs. It’s not unusual for recruiting classes to have greater needs at some positions more than others, but it is noteworthy for an Air Force class to be light in certain areas, which points to the larger concern.
Air Force classes continue to be smaller than in previous seasons. While the class may actually be bigger than the total number at the top of this post, it’s a far cry from the 65 recruits in 2022 or the 95 recruits in 2019. Academy schools signing bigger classes despite strict admission requirements helped them stay competitive compared to other schools. But if their classes are smaller, their disadvantage grows larger. If more players stay, the starting size tends not to matter. But with players transferring out at higher rate than past years, it’s worth watching.
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Thanks to all who followed our 2026 recruiting coverage!
