Name: Nicholas Straw
Year: Senior
Position: Raider
Height: 6-2
Weight: 230
Hometown: Lebanon, Ohio
High School: Lebanon High School
Major: Astrophysics
What do you want to do after graduation? Navy Pilot
Why did you choose Navy? The closeness of the team. After my visit I knew I wanted to be part of that.
What would you tell somebody that is considering coming to Navy to play football?
There's nothing like it. You'll be challenged here like nowhere else but the reward is much greater.
If you could play another position, what position would you play and why? Fullback. I would love to run guys over.
If you could choose any opponent for Navy to play that is currently not on the schedule, who would you choose and why? Michigan. It would be a dream to play in the big house and upset them.
Favorite class at the Naval Academy and why? Quantum Mechanics 1. I had an incredible professor who was passionate about what he taught and the content was pretty crazy.
Hardest class at the Naval Academy and why? Mathematical methods 2. There were lots of late nights doing derivations and pure math. At the end of the day it was worth it, but that was a doozy.
Favorite teacher at the Naval Academy and why? Pete Brereton. The passion he teaches with makes me excited to come to class and learn a bit more. He also finds ways to make tough concepts easily understood rather than in a convoluted manner.
Favorite form of social media and why? Instagram. I use it the most and it's pretty easy.
Favorite person to follow on social media and why? Charles Spurgeon quotes. It's a page about the writings of this old-time preacher and it says a lot of good truth. I like it a lot.
If you could have dinner with any 4 people at the Naval Academy who would you choose and why?: John Brand, Baynes Autrey, Phoebe Haller and Ainslee Gabriel. These are my dearest friends I've had since the beginning and it's always a great time with them. Ainslee also happens to be my girlfriend.
Favorite sport to follow at the Naval Academy outside of football and why? Track & Field. My friend Baynes is the team captain and it's great to follow and see how they're doing.
If you didn't play football at Navy, what sport would you play and why? I would try and wrestle. I wrestled in high school and thought it was a great time. The wrestlers here are some good dudes and they'd be great to be around.
What song is playing on your headphones in the locker room right before taking the field? Lord Knows by Meek Mill
What is your dream vacation? Scuba diving in the Philippines.
What is the best thing about being in the American Athletic Conference? There's never an easy week. Every team has such talent and they always come ready to go. There are no days off, no weeks off and to be great you really have to go through great teams.
Favorite Coach Niumatalolo quote: It's freaking hard to win
One word to describe a Navy Football player: Relentless
Who will be the surprise player on defense in 2022 and why? Creedyn Foulger. He really impressed during spring workouts and it will be a nice rotation with he and
Clay Cromwell.
Who is the toughest player on the Navy football team and why? Bijan Nichols. People don't assume this of kickers but he's a dog and pushes to get the the best out of us every day.
What player epitomizes Navy Football and why? John Brand. He is one player who holds up every aspect of being a football player while being a midshipman. He has a 4.0 gpa, while also being heavily involved in his company and coming to work every day on the field.
Who will be the Most Valuable Player on offense in 2022 and why? Tai Lavatai. This year will be big for him. He has a full season under his belt and he can take this offense far. I'm excited to see what he can do this year.
Who will be the Most Valuable Player on defense in 2022 and why? John Marshall. He's done it for years and this will be the culmination of his career. He's fast, confident and ready for a standout season.
What are you most looking forward to in 2022? Bringing the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy back to Annapolis.
