Slotback has traditionally been one of the deepest positions on the Navy football roster, deepened by recruiting classes year after year. Not this season.
Tazh Maloy and Travis Brannan, both part of the slotback rotation last season, graduated. Three others — 2019 starter Keoni-Kordell Makekau along with fellow seniors Tyreek King-El and Garrett Winn — elected not to play this season. Jamale Carothers was recruited as a slotback but is Navy’s starting fullback.
Factor in that returning starter and senior leader C.J. Williams has been sidelined for much of preseason camp with an undisclosed injury and the unit has taken some hits.