April 8, 2016 Rising sophomore defensive end Anthony Villalobos (Fort Worth, Texas) has been named the winner of the Vice Admiral William P. Mack Award. The Admiral Mack Award is presented to the most improved player during spring football drills as voted on by the coaching staff. It is the ninth time in 41 years that a defensive lineman has won the award and the first since Bernard Sarra in 2013.
"Anthony was very impressive this spring and is a guy that we are going to count on in the fall," said Niumatalolo. "He has good size, is a hard worker and has a great attitude. He really wants to be good and I think he has a chance if he continues to work hard and stay focused."
Villalobos is currently second on the depth chart at right defensive end behind the incumbent starter Amos Mason.
Villalobos is a 2014 graduate of Fossil Ridge High School and is a graduate of the Naval Academy Prep School. He was a three-time unanimous All-District selection and earned Honorable Mention All-State (Texas) honors his senior year. He was named to the Forth Worth Star Telegram Super Team as a senior. Villalobos also had scholarship offers from American Athletic Conference foes SMU and Tulsa.
The Admiral Mack Award was initiated in 1976 and is named in honor of Vice Admiral William P. Mack, the Naval Academy Superintendent from 1972-75, who was a strong supporter of the school's intercollegiate athletic program.Mack's widow, Elsie, was on hand to present Villalobos the award. The team also sang Happy Birthday to Mrs. Mack, who had recently turned a young 98-years old.
