High School Football

Army West Point football building pipeline to Katy

By Dennis Silva II, Sports Editor
Posted 3/9/21

At this rate, Army West Point will be known as the Katy Knights.

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High School Football

Army West Point football building pipeline to Katy

Posted

At this rate, Army West Point will be known as the Katy Knights.

The prestigious institution has established a football recruiting pipeline to Katy, and it started with Casey Shorter a little more than a year ago. The Taylor senior running back heard from Army West Point last February, consistently communicated and exchanged question-and-answer sessions with fullbacks coach Mike Viti, and verbally committed to the Black Knights in late June after an “incredible virtual junior day.”

“At first, I was just excited about the opportunity to play Division I football,” Shorter said. “Then I started researching the (United States Military Academy) and all it had to offer. Coach Viti told me it is not just a four-year decision, but rather a 40-year decision. I really took that to heart as he told me I was built for all Army has to offer.”

Shorter found his home. At the same time, he unknowingly initiated a movement of sorts.

In 10 months, four Katy area football players, including three from Katy High School, verbally committed and then signed on National Signing Day, Feb. 3, to play for Army West Point: Shorter, Katy High senior offensive linemen Omarrian Aigbedion and Vasileios “Bill” Katsigiannis, and Katy High senior linebacker Shepherd Bowling. On March 3, Katy High senior receiver Taylor Saulsberry verbally committed to Army, eventually making it five Katy area players, and four Tigers, to pledge to wear the black, gold and gray once he signs his letter of intent.

“I mostly talked to Omarrian as he first contacted me in late summer,” Shorter said. “We talked a lot about how tough it is going to be, but also about all the great things associated with being a West Point graduate. I was happy when he told me he was going to commit, and then came Bill and Shepherd, which was an unbelievable addition.

“Now that Taylor Saulsberry has committed, it has me wondering who in Katy is next.”

It was a rapid domino effect. Army West Point recruited each player hard and made it known they were wanted. But when the players started recruiting each other, it was an easier sell.

“At first, when I committed, I would always talk to Shepherd about it,” Aigbedion said. “Then when Bill got the offer, he knew that’s what he wanted to do. I feel like that kind of swayed Shep’s decision as well. Just the other day, when Taylor got his offer, I remember all of us just having a conversation about why he should join us and the opportunities it would give him.

“And although he doesn’t go to our school, Casey also played a big deal in my commitment, as well as talking to some of these other guys.”

Katsigiannis said joining other Katy area players at West Point, including teammates, will make the transition easier.

“I love it,” Katsigiannis said. “The more, the better. Our bonds are what’s going to make our team tighter and better.”

For all five players, the opportunity to play NCAA Division I football while getting an elite education was unmatched. Those things alone were enough to make up for the fact they couldn’t visit campus due to restrictions because of the pandemic.

“The football was there already, along with the coaches and players and just the whole aura around West Point itself,” Bowling said. “But at the end of the day, you want to make the smartest decision to set you up not only in your football career, but for life and the opportunities afterward. I think the long-term benefits are what ultimately led me to commit.”

The five are natural competitors, gifted academically and talented athletically. They are aware of the challenge competing at Army West Point presents. Shorter, for instance, said he already has nerves knowing the first six weeks will be basic training.

“I love that there will be other players from Katy going with me, making the military academy experience less nerve-racking,” Saulsberry said.

The notion of serving one’s country appealed to all, but to Saulsberry a little more than the others.

“My dad served in the army,” Saulsberry said. “It just helped make my decision to know that I’d have some familiar faces around me.”

There is a common trait among all five players. All are devoted leaders.

Saulsberry and Bowling were team captains for the 2020 Class 6A-Division II state champion Tigers, and Katsigiannis and Aigbedion were starters highly respected by their peers.

Since his sophomore year, Shorter has been greatly admired in the Mustangs’ locker room for his work ethic and selflessness.

“I love that I am going in with guys I know,” Shorter said. “It is clear how driven and talented they are as players and people, and I’m looking forward to playing with them. It hasn’t been easy for those of us in the 2021 class, and the pandemic made recruiting tough for many. But everything works out for a reason, and I have heard Coach (Jeff) Monken say this is the best recruiting class he has seen.”

Army West Point, Black Knights, Casey Shorter, Vasileios "Bill" Katsigiannis, Omarrian Aigbedion, Taylor Saulsberry, Shepherd Bowling, Katy ISD, Katy, Texas, high school football, recruiting