This week, he was named to the first team of the Phil Steele All-Independent squad.
Other than the 2007 Poinsettia Bowl against Utah, Battipaglia has started every game under Niumatalolo. At the start of this season, he was on the watch list for the Lombardi Award, given to the nation's best down lineman or linebacker.
"It was great honor to have the opportunity to get in there and start as a sophomore," Battipaglia said as the Middies prepared to play Army today at Lincoln Financial Field. "Luckily, I've been able to stay healthy over the years, and I've been able to help the team out as best I could."
As his on-field performance prospered, Battipaglia started to feel more comfortable off the field.
"It's been a big maturing process," he said. "Coming here, you go through a lot of changes. Even in football, you're jumping from high school to college, and it's a whole other level. It's been a big maturing process on all levels. But it's been a great experience and I'm a lot better off for it. I'm proud to be here."
Battipaglia also has grown as a leader, Niumatalolo said.
"On the field, he's been as good of an offensive tackle as we've had during our option era," Niumatalolo said. "Off the field, he's never been in trouble. He's been a model Midshipman. He's done well academically. He's excelled at every phase of the academy. We're going to miss him tremendously. We're going to miss him as a leader. He's been a great role model for the younger players."
"I think I've seen him grow up, but he was a great person when he came here," Niumatalolo added. "He comes from a great family. You can tell he was raised on great morals and great principles. He's kind of expanded on that with the things he's learned from the academy."
