TJ Chapman
Editor
When thinking about the Army offense, most will assume the triple-option is what the Black Knights run. However, under offensive coordinator Cody Worley, Army has added a shotgun variation with a run-pass-option. But make no mistake, the focus of the offense is still the quarterback.
And the one leading Army’s powerful rushing attack in 2025 is junior Cale Hellums. The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder from Tomball, TX, did not win the starting QB job out of fall camp. Dewayne Coleman, last year’s backup, won the job but was hobbled by injuries early in the year.
While Hellums started Army’s second and third games of the season, he took over the starting job for good in the sixth game against Charlotte.
Replacing a star QB like Bryson Daily was going to be a challenge for head coach Jeff Monken this year. Coleman was Daily’s backup and did well when called upon. But with Coleman’s injuries he struggled, which paved the way for Hellums to get more snaps.
In 2024, the Black Knights averaged 31.07 points and 300.5 rushing yards per game. The rushing yards were tops in the FBS. Daily and RB Kanye Udoh each rushed for over 1,000. Udoh transferred to Arizona State after the 2024 season.
Both team statistics have dropped in 2025. Army averages 23.0 points and 256.9 rushing yards per game. While the rushing yards average is fifth in the FBS, it is still 43.6 yards per game less than the 2024 squad.
Still, Hellums is running Worley’s offense considerably well. Hellums does not have the benefit of Udoh’s rushing abilities, but he does have Slot Back Noah Short. Short is second on the team in rushing with 552 yards and 1 TD, while leading in receptions with 22.
As is typically the case with Army’s offense, the QB is the star of the show. Hellums leads the team with 1,078 rushing yards and 15 rushing TDs.
Hellums’ leadership qualities have stood out during his time as the starter, particularly against Air Force, Temple and UTSA. Against Air Force, Hellums led the Black Knights on a 63-yard drive in the game’s final 1:26. Kicker Dawson Jones hit the game-winning 27-yard field goal as time expired.
Against Temple, Hellums led Army on one of the most methodical drives of the season. Leading Temple 14-13 with 9:53 left in the game, Hellums and the Army offense ran out the clock to preserve the victory. The Black Knights ran 18 plays that covered 53 yards and wound the entire 9:53 off the clock.
In the American Conference finale at UTSA, Army stunned the Roadrunners 27-24. The win ended UTSA’s 25-game winning streak at home against conference opponents. Hellums led the Black Knights on a 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Hellums hitting TE Parker Poloskey on a 4-yard TD. The drive ate up 6:21 of game clock.
When Hellums gets the start in the 126th edition of the Army-Navy game, it will be his first reps against the Midshipmen. Navy’s run defense, which gives up 143.2 yards per game, can expect a large dose of run plays featuring Hellums. And the Mids better buckle their chinstraps, because Hellums is a bulldozer.
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