Army football QB Cale Hellums made offseason strides

PHOTOS: Army football 2026 preseason scrimmages

Army football offensive coordinator Cody Worley was talking to head coach Jeff Monken this week about the developmental similarities of recent quarterback Bryson Daily and current starter Cale Hellums.

Both signal callers had to wait patiently for two years to get their opportunity to assume the QB1 position for the Black Knights . Both saw success and difficulty in their junior seasons, leading Army to six regular-season wins. And both made great strides in understanding and patience headed into their senior season – at least that's what Worley believes about Hellums, another Texan who's going to lead the Army offense when the 2026 season opens on Saturday, Sept. 5, against Bryant .

Speaking of Hellums' development, Worley said, "Just the comfort with the system, the comfort with the speed of the game with what we're asking him to do and how we're asking him to do it – I would say it's on par with the improvements that Bryson made from junior to senior year.''

Daily was the heir apparent for the 2023 season.

"Junior year, Bryson Daily turned the ball over 11 times, and he looked like a guy that wasn't comfortable yet,'' Worley said.

A year later, in 2024, Daily guided Army to 11 of its 12 wins and finished just outside of the top five in Heisman Trophy voting.

Fast forward to 2025, and Hellums worked his way up from third string to stepping in for injured starter Dewayne Coleman in the second game at Kansas State , where he set a program record with 41 carries, and his third touchdown with under three minutes to play capped a 24-21 upset win.

The high of victory for Hellums was smashed with three early turnovers and subsequent yank from the lineup the following week against North Texas, and Coleman regained his starting role for the following two weeks. Hellums, who saw duty in all 13 games, was back as starter in game six against Charlotte and did not relinquish the job the rest of the way.

"I think the best teacher is learning (first-hand) and learning from your mistakes, and that's how you become better,'' Hellums said of his junior-year experience at the helm.

Hellums had a lot to be proud of, averaging over 23 carries per game, gaining 1,223 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns. He also threw for four scores and 694 yards while operating the run-heavy offense, throwing just three interceptions.

Since last season, Monken kept open the battle for starting quarterback with sophomores Bryson Luter and Ethan Washington, but it was understood the job was Hellums' to lose.

"Cale Hellums has made a drastic improvement, and I'll say drastic,'' Worley said. "The game has finally slowed down for him, and he's able to execute at a high level. He's been really consistent with decision making, much improved in fundamentals and option (offense) framework and understanding what we're trying to do. And with that, it's allowed him to be a voice and a leader as well.''

Said Hellums, "I think just having that year under my belt and then coming into the offseason with the guys and continue to perform and get better, I'm hoping that I (improved) on the right skills, and I'm ready to showcase it when the season starts.'

"I'm not perfect, and I'm not where I want to be at overall – there's always things I can improve on and be a better football player, a better teammate and a better leader. I guess in a couple days we're going to find out if I've gotten better … I hope I have. I think I have, but we'll find out one way or another.''

Hellums said it was always his childhood dream to play quarterback at the Division I level and eventually become the starter.

"By the grace of God, I've been able to fulfill that,'' he said. "God has blessed me day in and day out, and to put me here, to be able to lead this team is the greatest blessing that one could ask for. … It's very humbling. … I'm just forever grateful for this opportunity.''