Army Football Stars Shine at NFL Pro Day

Three Black Knights seniors impress scouts from six NFL teams at West Point workout

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:36pm

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Army West Point Football held its NFL Pro Day on Thursday, with three senior players - linebacker Andon Thomas, slotback Noah Short, and safety Collin Matteson - participating in the workout. The players showcased their talents in front of scouts from six NFL teams, with Short, Matteson, and Thomas all posting impressive numbers that would have ranked highly at the recent NFL Combine.

Why it matters

The Pro Day event is a crucial opportunity for Army's top NFL prospects to showcase their skills and impress professional scouts. With five former Black Knights currently on NFL rosters, this year's group is looking to continue the program's pipeline to the professional ranks.

The details

Short ran an unofficial 4.43 40-yard dash, which would have been a top 20 time among wide receivers at the Combine. Matteson impressed with a 41.0-inch vertical, tied for second among safeties. Thomas ran a 4.11 20-yard shuttle, which would have ranked strongly among linebackers. All three players enjoyed standout senior seasons, with Matteson leading the team in pass breakups and Andon Thomas being a finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy.

  • The NFL Pro Day was held on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
  • The 2026 NFL Combine took place in the weeks prior to the Army Pro Day.

The players

Andon Thomas

A linebacker who started all 13 games for Army in 2025, leading the defense with 113 tackles. He finished his career with 211 tackles across 27 starts and was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.

Noah Short

A slotback who started all 13 games in 2025, becoming the first player in program history to surpass 1,000 career yards both rushing and receiving. He finished with 1,148 rushing yards and 1,008 receiving yards.

Collin Matteson

A safety who started 12 games in 2025, leading the team with seven pass breakups and finishing third with 79 tackles. He also recorded a game-sealing interception in the upset victory over Kansas State.

Army West Point Football

The football program at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

NFL

The National Football League, the top professional American football league in the United States.

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What’s next

The NFL teams in attendance will now evaluate the performances of the three Army players and determine if they will invite any of them to private workouts or the upcoming NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The strong showings by the Army trio at the Pro Day event demonstrate the program's continued ability to develop NFL-caliber talent, further cementing its reputation as a pipeline to the professional ranks. These players' success could inspire future Black Knights to pursue their dreams of playing at the next level.