Free State running back Maddon Brittingham commits to Air Force Academy
Free State senior Maddon Brittingham picked Air Force after a Thursday-to-Saturday visit to Colorado Springs matched his physical running style and his service-minded goals.
Maddon Brittingham committed to Air Force Academy on June 24 after an official visit to Colorado Springs that confirmed what the Free State senior already felt about his next step. The Lawrence running back, a physical runner who prefers to run through defenders, fit neatly with the Falcons’ slow, methodical, run-heavy triple-option offense.
Air Force had been watching Brittingham for months, staying in touch with Free State coach Kevin Stewart to learn about his academic and mental makeup before the program made an offer. After the coaching staff spoke with Brittingham, Air Force extended that offer the next day. By the end of a Thursday-to-Saturday visit, Brittingham decided the academy was the right place for him.
Brittingham’s choice carries weight in Lawrence and across Douglas County because it puts a Free State player on a path that reaches beyond the usual Power Four recruiting lane. Family ties to Kansas football through a younger brother and a younger cousin helped turn college football into a real goal early in his life, and Air Force gave him a place where football, academics and a future in uniform all line up. He cited the academy’s academics and facilities as major factors in the decision.
The commitment also matches what Air Force has been on the field under coach Troy Calhoun, who is in his 19th year and had a 139-97 record entering the 2025 season. The Falcons went 4-8 overall and finished eighth in the Mountain West in 2025, but the ground game remained the program’s identity: Air Force ranked third nationally in rushing at 261.4 yards per game, posted the nation’s longest active streak of consecutive 100-yard rushing games at 88, and set a Mountain West record with seven straight games of at least 250 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
The academy’s appeal goes beyond football. The United States Air Force Academy says cadets complete a four-year program, earn a bachelor of science degree and graduate commissioned as second lieutenants in the Air Force. For Brittingham, that means his decision in June points toward both a college football role and a military career path built on the same traits that made him stand out at Free State.
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