I contacted and spoke with an admissions rep a few days ago, a LT.
The rejection was based on several classes during my junior year, shortly after my accident, that I did not perform well in. Honors Physics, Trig, AP U.S. History, Honors English, Honors Chem. I received 3 C's. According to admissions those C's are what kept me from qualified status. ...
A few thoughts and questions:
1. You list 5 classes you in which you indicate "I did not perform well in." And then you go on to note you "received 3 Cs."
A. Would you mind specifying 2 things on those 5 courses?
B. What specific grades did you receive in each class?
C. Also, would you share what your AP scores were in each?
D. Noting "Teacher recs were all good", which classes were taught by your teacher recommenders?
2. Re: your potential Plan B schools ... my own POV is that barring one specific issue, your choice might be clear.
A. What's the specific issue? Football. How important is that in your total scheme? If it is front and center then Norwich remains among your apparent options.
B. IF it is only an ancillary, "luke warm" issue, not really central in your decision-making, then the issue becomes clear for you.
C. VA Tech. Why? Because you are not in need of any "prep" school remedial strengthening. That part of your experience would likely be less than you would be capable of, imo, especially if you seek an engineering program. With all due respect, with regard to a technical major and degree program, a NWP, MMI, or Valley Forge have significantly less to add to your profile beyond military prep. None is a slam dunk, sure thing ala a USNA Foundation or NAPS possibility, and you can get that readily at a major university like VA Tech or any number of others that you would be an excellent candidate for admission.
And more critically ... difficult as it might be to consider at this point, as you approach a Plan B and consequent reapplying to USNA in the course of that, you also need to be considering a Plan C and even D. It is a very distinct possibility that you may not be appointed in the next round either, no matter your performance. We see any number of outstanding re-applicants who fail to gain appointment in ensuing opportunities.
Now, what if that is the case and you are looking at not one but two years down the line? A person of your capability should be in hot pursuit of a high quality academic experience and specific program.
And there is one other consideration IF you're thinking football ... serious injury.
The bottom line here is that you have some serious and very disparate options here that might well be refined by some serious thinking about what it is you want.
I believe that an NROTC scholarship option to VA Tech, Penn State, or other top flight engineering school ... and NOT playing football might be optimal options IF you are determined to continue pursuing USNA and more importantly IF you are determined to continue pursuing military service to your country in the USN. All avenues might take you to the latter. And several might not.
Good luck and help us to learn from your experience by sharing issues in #1.