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Three calls help Madani pick

By BOB PUTNAM
Published January 26, 2005

Khalil Madani did not fear the type of commitment a military academy required.

That was, until this week.

With the Feb. 2 national signing day fast approaching, Madani has hesitant about serving five years active duty upon graduation.

"I really had some cold feet," Madani said.

The Wesley Chapel lineman already took recruiting trips to Air Force, Army and the Citadel. But after visiting Wofford last weekend, Madani had some doubts about the structured life of the academies.

He already crossed Army off his list and was weighing an offer from the Citadel, which held a scholarship for him until he made his decision. The only military school left was Air Force.

Before attending a speed camp workout Monday, Madani called the Air Force coaching staff and said he was not sure he wanted to go there.

When Madani got home, he had messages from Falcons coaches John Regan, Chuck Peterson and Tim Horton.

That was all it took for Madani to orally commit to Air Force.

"My stomach was in a real knot," Madani said. "This is a total weight lifted off my shoulders. The Air Force coaches made me feel comfortable and helped me decide this is really where I need to be."

Madani canceled a visit to Dartmouth this weekend and declined offers from the Citadel and Wofford.

"I was dreading calling the other schools back," Madani said. "I didn't want to let anybody down. But my mind was made up where I wanted to go."

Madani, who scored 1,160 on the SAT and has a 3.7 grade point average, has met Air Force's academic requirements. That means he will not have to spend next season at a prep school, the military academy equivalent of a redshirt year.

Madani has started the process of getting a U.S. representative or senator to make a congressional appointment on his behalf. He said he has a chance to make the travel squad next season and start as a sophomore.

"One of the Air Force coaches told me I'm not always going to like the academy while I'm there," Madani said. "But he said it will be a place that I'll be proud I attended after I leave. I thought that was well put. I'm ready to put in the work and can't wait to get up there."

[Last modified January 26, 2005, 00:13:15]