Marcus Hyatt’s football career is on hold after spending three months in the hospital this spring while battling a neurological disorder.

Hyatt, Army’s starting cornerback for the first eight games last season, was put in a medically induced coma at one point. He returned home to Atlanta in late June, where he’s continuing his recovery.

“He’s just kind of getting himself back to 100 percent health,” Army head coach Jeff Monken said. “He was in the hospital for 90 days and that’s a long time. For a while, it was touch and go. He was in a very dire condition for a pretty good stretch. For him to be back healthy and starting to get to normal is just an incredible blessing.”

Hyatt’s return to the academy this fall is in jeopardy. A junior, Hyatt might have to take a medical leave of absence and return to football in the spring, Monken said.

“That’s what we are hopeful of, that he will be able to do that,” Monken said. “That’s his desire. I don’t care about anything other than his health. I don’t know if he’ll ever play again. I don’t care if he’ll ever play again. I think it would be a real thrill for him and a great story if he did.”

Hyatt made 29 tackles and intercepted two passes in 2016. His absence leaves starting cornerback as one of the most interesting position battles of preseason practice, which starts Saturday. Sophomore Elijah Riley would seem to have secured the other cornerback spot.

Army finished last season with two freshmen cornerbacks. Riley started the last 11 games and led the team with three interceptions. Jaylon McClinton took over after Hyatt tore his anterior cruciate ligament at Wake Forest in October and made five straight starts.

The Black Knights would like to use McClinton as a safety or nickel back this season. Among the candidates to start with Riley are juniors Jalen Sharp and Mike Reynolds, and sophomore Richard Hanson. Sharp played in 10 games last season and had his first career interception against Lafayette. Reynolds, who had an interception in Army’s 2016 season-opening win at Temple, has returned to the team after stepping away in the spring. Hanson played in seven games as a freshman, contributing mostly on special teams.

“We are hopeful that a healthy Richard Hanson might be able to help us,” Monken said. “Sharp may be able to help us. McClinton may have to … We are going to see. Mike Reynolds is back. … He’s played some. I don’t know if he can be a starter or not. It might be a freshman. … We’ll find out as the next four or five weeks go along.”

sinterdonato@th-record.com

Twitter: @salinterdonato