The 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end/outside linebacker committed to the Black Knights on January 29th, 2015, during an in-home visit with Army head coach Jeff Monken.
“The facilities (at West Point) are fantastic, top-of-the-line. The people up there are great. On the official visit, my family and I got to meet all of the coaches and get to know them. I’m excited to play for those guys. I had some FCS programs that were looking at me throughout the process, but the offers fell through. It was always my goal to play at the highest level possible. The idea of serving of country and coming out of the Academy as a Second Lieutenant was something that really attracted me to West Point as well.”
Jeff Panara had offers from Kutztown, Shippensburg, and West Chester. It wasn’t until after his senior season that he began hearing from Army.
“Shortly after our season ended I starting talking with John Loose. I guess my senior film got around to the coaches. He said they were all very impressed with it and asked me what I thought about playing for Army. That’s really what got the ball rolling. They want me to come in and compete for one of the defense end spots, but said that’s subject to change when I get there. Obviously, they’ll put me where they think is the best fit.”
Panara attended Hatboro-Horsham for the first three years of high school. He transferred to Archbishop Wood for his senior year and helped lead the Vikings to their second consecutive PIAA title on December 12, 2014. He was named first team All-Suburban in the Greater Philadelphia area and first team All-Bucks County. He is the son of Adrienne Childs and Jeff Panara Sr. He has received a direct appointment to USMA.
