Navy junior linebacker
Diego Fagot has been named a preseason Third Team All-American by Phil Steele. Fagot is one of five American Athletic Conference players on the first three teams joining running back Kenneth Gainwell of Memphis (second team), wide receiver Reggie Robertson of SMU (third team), guard Cole Schneider of UCF (third team) and punt returner Otis Anderson of UCF (third team).
Fagot, who is also on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, is coming off a dominant sophomore campaign that saw him start all 13 contests for a Navy team that finished 11-2, won the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy and beat Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl. The Mids finished the year ranked 20
th in both polls.
A big part of Navy's success last year was the defense as the Mids improved in nearly every defensive category, including third down defense (121
st to 20
th), rushing defense (90
th to 10
th), total defense (86
th to 16
th) and scoring defense (103
rd to 34
th).
Fagot led the team in tackles in 2019 with 100 (52 solo) and was second on the team in tackles for a loss (12) and sacks (5.5). He forced two fumbles, broke up two passes and had an interception that he returned for a touchdown. Fagot was named 2019 First-Team All-AAC and was named the Liberty Bowl Defensive Player of the game.
Fagot is one of six Navy players on the preseason All-American Athletic Conference team and the only one on the first team. Other Navy players selected include senior guard
Peter Nestrowitz (second team), junior fullback
Jamale Carothers (third team), senior tackle
Billy Honaker (third team), junior safety
Kevin Brennan (third team) and junior defensive end
J'arius Warren (fourth team).
