I’m a grad....and I once roomed with a football player.
Imho, academic standards are not what holds USMA back. The service obligation does. So how come Navy keepw beating them? For starters, the Navy has given the signal that, if you turn out to be pro material, they will bend the rules and make it happen. Also I believe Navy has been more lenient on pre-commissioning height/weight.
I often tell people that west point is a relic of the past - where the athletes truly are ‘student’ athletes. Sure they get special tutors and special treatment, but they really do go to school there. Most college teams...those guys would never get within a thousand yards of campus if it weren’t for football...they stay in.a special athlete dorm away from other students...and really don’t participate in the student experience in any way. I don’t mind that West Point still has real students playing. I would like to beat Navy though.
I think you’re correct; it’s a case of our football players, on average, are bigger and faster than your football players. USNA bends the rules a bit more than USMA, and has been more flexible if a player has pro prospects.
USNA grad here - it’s been back and forth in the 80s for a time USNA was looser but then tightened up partially because of alumni pushback - all should do their part. Napolean Mccallum is the one that really stuvk in rveryones craw - - only 5 year student, specisl benies to allow pro, etc. Staubach did his time why didnt nap do the same etc. David Robinson isn’t the example to use since technically he shouldn’t have been allowed to grad - too tall for stds. He wanted to serve though so they made him a PAO which was a good fit. I’ve seen a few from all the schools finish their time keep in shape and manage a few years after their commitment, but nothing like Nap unless its just not made as big a splash so I haven’t heard. My two cents is you want to go you serve otherwise don’t go. No exceptions. I think the bigger issue for USma over the last ten years is the higher risk of ground combat vs the others - USMC is out of Navy but selective and not forced.