ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Navy senior safety
Rayuan Lane III was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars this afternoon in the sixth round of the annual NFL draft in Green Bay, Wis. Lane is the 19th Naval Academy graduate (he will graduate in May) to be drafted by the NFL and the first who played in the secondary. He is the fourth Navy football player to be drafted in the last 11 years and the first defensive player to be drafted since Bob Kuberski was selected in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers in 1993.
"I'm excited and thankful that the Jacksonville Jaguars believed in me as a person and football player to give me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Lane. "I want to thank my family, my teammates and coaches at both the Gilman School and the Naval Academy and everybody else who has helped me through this journey. I am excited for the opportunity to be both a Jacksonville Jaguar and a Marine Corps Officer."
"We are all super proud of Rayuan and ecstatic for him and his family," said Navy head football coach
Brian Newberry. "He's been both a great midshipman and football player for the last four years and I know he will continue to represent himself, the Naval Academy and the United States Marine Corps in a first-class way. We wish him all the best. Go Jacksonville! Go Navy! Beat Everyone!"
"Congratulations to Rayuan! The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting a smart, fast and violent football player," said Navy defensive coordinator
P.J. Volker. "His work ethic, mental toughness and character will be on full display as soon as he walks through the door at the Jacksonville practice facility. This is a great moment for Rayuan, his family, Navy football and the Jaguars."
"We are super happy and proud of Rayuan. The Jacksonville Jaguars have drafted a tremendous person, competitor and player," said Navy defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach
Eric Lewis. "I firmly believe that Rayuan's best football is ahead of him, between his special teams ability, his coverage skills and his fearlessness in stopping the run. He has a huge upside as a football player because he has proven time and again while at the Naval Academy that he is not afraid to work. We are thrilled for Rayuan and his family that he is getting this opportunity."
Lane will be able to play immediately as Section 557 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 amended the statutes defining the agreement signed by midshipmen and cadets attending a Military Service Academy and their resulting service obligations. These amendments authorize the Secretaries of the Military Departments to transfer not more than three cadets or midshipmen from each Military Service Academy who obtain employment in professional sports, to the Selected Reserves as commissioned officers to participate in efforts to recruit and retain members of the armed forces.
Lane helped lead Navy to a memorable season in 2024 as the Mids became just the sixth team in school history to win 10 games (10-3). Navy also won the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy with dominating performances over Air Force (34-7) and Army (31-13) and defeated Oklahoma 21-20 in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
Lane finished his career with 244 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, seven interceptions (returning two for a touchdown), broke up 21 passes, recovered three fumbles and forced eight fumbles. The Navy coaching staff believed Lane was the best gunner on the punt team in the FBS.
He was named First-Team All-American Athletic Conference in 2024, while College Football Network named him the FBS Special Teams Player of the Year and a First-Team All-American on special teams, as well as an Honorable Mention All-American at safety.
Lane started the final 43 games of his college career, the longest streak in the FBS by a safety and the second longest by any player in the secondary.
NAVY'S NFL DRAFT PICKS
Following is a list of Naval Academy graduates selected in the NFL Draft.
2025 -
Rayuan Lane III, S, Jacksonville Jaguars, 6th round (200th overall pick)
2020 - Malcolm Perry, QB, Miami Dolphins, 7th round (246th overall pick)
2016 - Keenan Reynolds, QB, Baltimore Ravens, 6th round (182nd overall pick)
2015 - Joe Cardona, LS, New England Patriots, 5th round (166th overall pick)
1993 - Bob Kuberski, DT, Green Bay Packers, 7th round (183rd overall pick)
1986 - Napoleon McCallum, RB, Los Angeles Raiders, 4th round (108th overall pick)
1973 - Glen Nardi, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers, 16th round (414th overall pick)
1964 - Roger Staubach, QB, Dallas Cowboys, 10th round (129th overall pick)
1962 - Greg Mather, E, New York Giants, 14th round (194th overall pick)
1961 - Joe Bellino, HB, Washington Redskins, 17th round (227th overall pick)
1959 - Bob Reifsnyder, DE, Los Angeles Rams, 4th round (45th overall pick)
1958 - Tom Forrestal, QB, Baltimore Colts, 20th round (237th overall pick)
1956 - George Welsh, QB, Chicago Cardinals, 16th round (186th overall pick)
1956 - Ron Beagle, E, Chicago Cardinals, 17th round (197th overall pick)
1948 - Dick Scott, C, Chicago Bears, 13th round (133rd overall pick)
1947 - Bob Kelly, HB, Green Bay Packers, 10th round (81st overall pick)
1947 - Bob Hoernschemeyer, RB, New York Giants, 11th round (94th overall pick)
1947 - Jim Carrington, OG-DG, New York Giants, 28th round (264th overall pick)
1944 - Don Whitmire, Tackle, Green Bay Packers, 9th round (82nd overall pick)