Army's leading rusher no longer with program

Army’s leading rusher won’t return to the team in 2016.

The Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record reported Thursday that fullback Aaron Kemper was removed from the roster “due to an academic honor-code violation.” An Army athletics spokesperson confirmed to the paper that Kemper is not with the team, but did not say if the senior was dismissed.

[Check out Dr. Saturday on Tumblr for entertaining things you won’t see on the blog]

The 5-foot-6, 210-pound Kemper led the Black Knights with 544 yards on 5.4 yards per carry in 2015 and also scored three touchdowns. The Cincinnati native rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown in 2014 and 44 yards and a score in 2013.

According to the Herald-Record, there were signs that this move was coming even though Kemper had a solid performance during the spring game.

Kemper was passed on the depth chart by sophomores Andy Davidson and Cole Macek, who both were converting from linebacker, during spring practice. He was left off Army’s post-spring depth chart despite rushing for 56 yards and scoring a touchdown in the spring game.

Army has seen a few other players leave the team this offseason. Nick Black, who plays slotback in the team’s option offense, left the school last month. Additionally, two-year starting cornerback Josh Jenkins departed because of an “academic situation.” Fullback Drue Harris (179 yards and 2 TDs in 2015) also left the program in May.

[Visit Dr. Saturday on Facebook for stories you might have missed and chat with the writers]

Coming off a 2-10 record in 2015, the Black Knights open the 2016 season at Temple on Sept. 2.

For more Army news, visit GoBlackKnights.com.

– – – – – – –

Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @SamDCooper