That is the nickname bestowed on the Navy wide receiver corps early in the current triple-option era. It comes from the term given to older male gorillas that develop grayish white hair on their backs and shoulders as they age.
Wide receivers coach Mick Yokitis came up with the term to promote unity within the position. Silverback gorillas are known to be protective of family members and will fight to the death to defend their own. Yokitis wanted his position players to adopt a similar mindset.
Coach Ken Niumatalolo and offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper said last week this current crop of wide receivers is the best they’ve seen at Navy.