Name: Mackenzie Ardoin 

Nickname: The Big Cheese or Kenz

Year: 2029 (Sophomore)

 
Position: Outside Linebacker

 Height: 6'4

Weight: 235lbs

 
Hometown: Plaisance, La.

 

High School: Northwest

 Major: English

 
What other schools offered you and what was it about Navy that made you come here? Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State University. The coaching staff and the Brotherhood made Navy feel like home and getting a chance to serve my country afterwards was like "the cherry on top" of everything.

What would you tell somebody that is considering coming to Navy to play football? If you want to feel accomplished and make friends you will have for the rest of your life, join the Brotherhood.

 
If you could play another position, what position would you play and why? I would say tight end or quarterback because I feel like I could catch a few and throw a few dots. 

 
If you could choose any opponent for Navy to play that is currently not on the schedule, who would you choose and why? Tulane at their home so I could get a chance to visit my family. 

Favorite class at the Naval Academy and why? I would say my favorite class was first semester English because we would always find a different way to interpret poems and writing, whether it was through acting or sharing our own thoughts without prior information.

 
Favorite teacher at the Naval Academy?  Dr. Ward

Favorite form of social media and why? None

 
Favorite person to follow on social media and why? Kevin Gates, because he's hilarious, keeps it real and is from Louisiana.

 
Favorite sport to follow at the Naval Academy outside of football and why?  I would say basketball because it's always fun to watch as it's very fast-paced.

 
What song is playing on your headphones in the locker room right before taking the field?  Bon Ton Rouler by Chris Ardoin

What is your dream vacation?  Somewhere off the coast with my future wife fishing.

 
Favorite Coach Newberry Quote: "You have to learn to compartmentalize" 

 
Who will be the surprise player on offense in 2026?  Charles Robinson

 
Who will be the surprise player on defense in 2026?  Christian Johnson

 
Who is the toughest player on the Navy football team? Michael Barrow

 
What player epitomizes Navy Football?  Trent Gillis

 
Who will be the Most Valuable Player on offense in 2026?  Braxton Woodson

 
Who will be the Most Valuable Player on defense in 2026?  Griffin Willis 

 
What are you most looking forward to in 2026? 2026 Army Navy game!!!!

 
Tell us one thing about you that most people don't know?    I make music

 If there were a movie about your life, what would it be called, and who would play you?  "The Anatomy of Almost" played by Myles Truitt

 
If you could play another sport at the Naval Academy, what would it be? Basketball or Lacrosse

 
Who is your favorite Navy athlete to watch outside of football? Iroda Muhammadiyeva (Boxing)

What does it mean to wear "Navy" across your chest? It means something greater than what I'll ever accomplish at Navy. It's about The Brotherhood and all who've gone before me wearing the same jerseys, same uniforms and went through equal or worse trials than what I'm currently going through. So when I step out on the field with Navy across my chest I know I represent and embody the ones who have set the path brick by brick and gave me a very fortunate opportunity to represent everything they've built over the years. I am forever grateful to wear this jersey and represent this team and nation.

 

What leadership lesson has football taught you? Football at Navy has taught me how to go 1-0 in life and how to respond when you fall short.

 

Which upperclassman impacted you the most when you arrived? Gavin Woods

What's one quality every successful midshipman needs?  Being able to handle constructive criticism

Which teammate would make the best Commandant? Alonzo Manning II

 

Which teammate would make the best Superintendent? Trent Gillis

 

Who talks the most trash in practice? JaSean Mclean

Which player would make the best coach someday? Christian Cromer

 

Who has the best game-day energy? Job Grant

  

Which current NFL player do you model your game after? Micah Parsons

 

What's one thing fans should watch for from your position group this year?  Team leadership and a ton of sacks

What's your favorite part of game day?  Halftime snacks

 

Who's the funniest teammate? JaSean Mclean and Sean Crowley

 
Name two players that you think are future team captains.  Malcolm Johnson and Mason Frey