John Voit carved out a notable career as a dedicated linebacker for the Army Black Knights football team. Throughout his time at West Point, Voit consistently demonstrated his prowess on the field, contributing significantly to the Black Knights’ defense. This article delves into the career highlights of John Voit, showcasing his impactful performances and key statistics that defined his time in college football.
Dominating Performances and Career Defining Stats
Voit’s career at Army was marked by consistent growth and impactful plays, evidenced by his impressive career highs across various defensive categories. His senior season and beyond saw him achieve remarkable milestones, solidifying his position as a key player for the Black Knights.
One standout game for John Voit was against Rutgers on November 21, 2015. In this matchup, Voit recorded a career-high of 8 total tackles, demonstrating his ability to consistently bring down ball carriers. Notably, 6 of these tackles were solo efforts, highlighting his individual defensive capabilities and instincts in reading plays and making stops independently.
The 2015 Rutgers game wasn’t an isolated peak; Voit consistently showed his tackling ability. Earlier in the same season opener against Fordham, he had already made a strong statement with 6 tackles in his first-ever start. His career-high in solo tackles was also achieved against Rutgers on that same November day, underlining the Rutgers game as a true breakout performance in his junior year.
Voit’s capacity to contribute across different defensive metrics is further illustrated by his career-best 4 assisted tackles achieved against Air Force on November 5, 2016. This game demonstrated his teamwork and ability to contribute to tackles in conjunction with his fellow defenders, a crucial aspect of a strong defensive unit.
Beyond tackles, Voit also made his presence felt in disrupting offensive plays behind the line of scrimmage. He achieved a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss on multiple occasions, first against Fordham on September 1, 2017, and repeating this feat later. This ability to penetrate the offensive line and make plays in the opponent’s backfield showcased his versatility as a defensive threat. Similarly, Voit recorded 1.5 sacks in multiple games, with the last instance against Temple on October 21, 2017, proving his pass-rushing capabilities and ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Key Plays and Game Impact
John Voit’s impact extended beyond just tackles and sacks. He demonstrated a nose for the ball and the ability to create turnovers. In a game against Fordham on November 22, 2014, Voit recorded his first career interception, showcasing his awareness in coverage and hands to secure the turnover. He further demonstrated his ability to force turnovers with a fumble recovery and a forced fumble, both in the same game against Rice on October 24, 2015. This game against Rice was a statistical high point in terms of creating turnovers, demonstrating his ability to impact the game in multiple facets beyond just stopping the run or rushing the passer.
2017 Season: Consistent Senior Performance
John Voit’s senior year in 2017 was a testament to his consistent performance and leadership on the Army defense. He started in Army’s home opener against Fordham, setting the tone for the season early. In this game, he contributed with two solo and two assisted tackles, along with an impressive 1.5 sacks for an 11-yard loss, demonstrating his readiness from the start of his final season.
Throughout the 2017 season, Voit remained a consistent contributor. He made two solo tackles and one assisted tackle against Buffalo, also contributing to a tackle for loss. Against formidable opponent Ohio State, Voit made four solo tackles and registered a sack, showing his ability to perform against top-tier competition. He continued to contribute consistently throughout the season with tackles against Tulane, UTEP, and Rice, and made further tackles for loss against UTEP and Temple.
Later in the 2017 season, Voit made two tackles against Temple, contributing to 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Against Air Force, he recorded a quarterback hurry, disrupting the passing game, and against Duke, he made five tackles and another sack for a significant 13-yard loss. Towards the end of the season, against North Texas, he posted three tackles and a sack for a 12-yard loss.
One of the most critical plays of Voit’s 2017 season, and perhaps his career, came against Navy. He made a game-saving tackle on Malcolm Perry, preventing a potentially game-changing 46-yard breakaway run. This play exemplified his clutch performance ability in high-pressure situations and against Army’s biggest rival. In this Navy game, he totaled four tackles. Voit concluded his senior season with a pass breakup in Army’s bowl game against San Diego State, adding another impactful play to his final college game.
2016 Season: Stepping Up as a Junior
In 2016, John Voit continued to develop and take on a more prominent role within the Army defense. He appeared in the season opener against Temple, making an immediate impact with a sack, his only tackle of the game, demonstrating his ability to make impactful plays even with limited snaps. He started several games in the 2016 season, including against Rice, UTEP, Buffalo, Duke, Notre Dame, Morgan State and Navy, solidifying his role as a starter within the defense.
Statistically, the 2016 season saw Voit achieve a season-high of seven tackles against Air Force, tying his career-high at that point, including three solo and four assisted tackles. Against Duke, he tallied five solo tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack, showcasing a well-rounded performance. He also recorded tackles for loss against Buffalo and North Texas, and sacks against Temple and Morgan State, consistently disrupting opposing offenses.
2015 Season: Breakout Sophomore Year
2015 was a breakthrough year for John Voit as he was listed as a starter in every game, a testament to his development and the coaching staff’s confidence in him. He amassed 32 tackles throughout the season, along with 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a quarterback hurry, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. His first career start against Fordham saw him record six tackles, setting the stage for a productive season.
Throughout the 2015 season, Voit consistently contributed, with four tackles against Connecticut, seven tackles against Duke, and key plays like a blocked field goal against Bucknell. The Rice game in 2015 was particularly notable with two solo tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, marking it as a highly impactful individual performance.
Early Career and Foundations (2014 & High School)
In his freshman year in 2014, John Voit began to see playing time and contribute at the college level. He recorded his first career sack against Ball State and his first career interception against Fordham, providing early glimpses of his potential. Prior to Army, Voit was a standout high school player at Lafayette High School, earning first-team Class 6A All-State honors as a senior and serving as team captain. He also excelled at the U.S. Military Academy Prep School, being voted team Defensive MVP and Special Teams MVP in 2013, setting a strong foundation for his college career at West Point.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Consistent Performance
John Voit’s career at Army is characterized by consistent performance, impactful plays, and growth over his four years. From career highs in tackles and sacks to crucial turnovers and game-saving plays, Voit established himself as a reliable and effective defender for the Black Knights. His dedication and contributions on the field solidify John Voit as a notable name in Army football history.
