2027 DE prospect Owen Elaiho eyes Army offer after West Point visit

Elaiho was one of three 2027 recruits to attend Army's spring practice, and he was impressed by the program's history and facilities.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Owen Elaiho, a 2027 defensive end prospect from Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack, New York, visited West Point and attended an Army spring practice. Elaiho was impressed by the program's history, facilities, and focus on nutrition and recovery. He is hoping to receive an offer from Army in the near future, and the Black Knights are currently in his top three schools along with Syracuse and Cornell.

Why it matters

Army football is looking to continue building its roster for the future, and landing a talented prospect like Elaiho could be a big boost for the program. The visit allowed Elaiho to get a firsthand look at what the academy and football team have to offer, which could give Army an advantage in his recruitment.

The details

During his visit, Elaiho met with coaches, watched practice, and toured the team's state-of-the-art weight room and facilities. He was impressed by the program's focus on nutrition and recovery, as well as the overall history and passion of the Army football team. Elaiho also connected with the other recruits in attendance and had the opportunity to speak with head coach Jeff Monken.

  • Elaiho visited West Point and attended Army's spring practice on Friday.
  • Elaiho is currently a junior in high school.

The players

Owen Elaiho

A 2027 defensive end prospect from Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack, New York.

Jeff Monken

The head coach of the Army football team.

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What they’re saying

“The history of the campus really stood out to me. From the cannons to the artwork on the wall and the BEAT NAVY signage everywhere I could tell that this program had history and a strong rivalry that promotes passion.”

— Owen Elaiho (on3.com)

“What stood out to me the most apart from the size and technology was the focus on nutrition and recovery. Though the weight room had a massive variety of weights and surplus of power racks the pre lift and post lift and meals and proteins shakes and energy supplements just highlighted the dietary aspect of being an athlete and staying in top shape for the guys at West Point.”

— Owen Elaiho (on3.com)

What’s next

Elaiho is hoping to receive an offer from Army in the near future, and the Black Knights are currently in his top three schools along with Syracuse and Cornell. He plans to make his college decision shortly after his senior season.

The takeaway

Army's visit allowed Elaiho to see the program's rich history, state-of-the-art facilities, and focus on player development, which has put the Black Knights in a strong position in his recruitment. Landing a talent like Elaiho would be a big boost for the program as it continues to build for the future.