Name: Jake Polito
 
Nickname: Meatball
 
Year: Junior
 
Position: Interior Offensive Line
 
Height: 6'3
 
Weight: 295
 
Hometown: Somers, N.Y.
 
High School: Somers Senior High School
 
Major: Political Science
 
What other schools offered you and what was it about Navy that made you come here? All of the Ivies, all Patriot League and the other academies. I chose Navy because I fell in love with this place from the moment I stepped on campus.
 
What would you tell somebody that is considering coming to Navy to play football? Get your mind right
 
If you could play another position, what position would you play and why?  Quarterback because I can throw a pigskin a quarter mile
 
If you could choose any opponent for Navy to play that is currently not on the schedule, who would you choose and why?  Hawaii, I would love to play in that beautiful weather 
 
Favorite class at the Naval Academy and why?   Comparative Politics, I learned a lot and had a great time doing it
 
Favorite teacher at the Naval Academy?  Professor Polga
 
Favorite form of social media and why? Twitter, I can scroll all day and it feels healthier than TikTok because I'm reading more
 
Favorite person to follow on social media and why?   Rick Sterling on Twitter. That dude cracks me up.

If you could have dinner with any 4 people that are currently at the Naval Academy who would you choose and why?  The Supe, Senior Chief Neuans, Cmdr. Sell and Jim Kiritsy. They are some of the most influential men that I've come across in my life and it would be a pleasure to get them all in one room
 
Favorite sport to follow at the Naval Academy outside of football and why?  Navy Baseball. Love those dudes and reminds me of my glory days (1 Year of Varsity Baseball)

What song is playing on your headphones in the locker room right before taking the field?  Man in the Box by Alice In Chains
 
What is your dream vacation?  Italy
 
 Favorite Coach Newberry Quote: Consistency is a superpower

Who will be the surprise player on offense in 2026?  Charles Robinson
 
Who will be the surprise player on defense in 2026?  Aiden Lyczek
 
Who is the toughest player on the Navy football team?   Cam Nichols
 
What player epitomizes Navy Football?  Hoke Smith
 
Who will be the Most Valuable Player on offense in 2026?  Braxton Woodson
 
Who will be the Most Valuable Player on defense in 2026?  MarcAnthony Parker
 
What are you most looking forward to in 2026? Winning the CIC and getting a CFP bid
 
Tell us one thing about you that most people don't know?  I play guitar in my free time 
 
If there was a movie about your life what would it be called and who would play you?  The Good Life, played by a young Al Pacino if he was jacked

If you could play another sport at the Naval Academy, what would it be? Baseball ( I still have a cannon)

Who is your favorite Navy athlete to watch outside of football? Mia Hatcher, Navy softball's finest 
 
What does it mean to wear "Navy" across your chest? It means the world to have the pleasure of representing the entire fleet as well as the Brigade and my brothers on the field 
 
What leadership lesson has football taught you?  Overpreparation is the mother of success 
 
Which upperclassman impacted you the most when you arrived?  Hoke Smith
 
What's one quality every successful midshipman needs? Humility and a good sense of humor
 
Which teammate would make the best Commandant?  Drew Fontana
 
Which teammate would make the best Superintendent?  Sean Crowley 
 
Who talks the most trash in practice?  Phillip Hamilton 
 
Which player would make the best coach someday?  Connor Heater 
 
Who has the best game-day energy?  Phillip Hamilton 
 
Favorite road stadium you've played in?  MetLife 
 
Favorite uniform combination?  2024 Army-Navy 
 
Which current NFL player do you model your game after? Nick Gargulio (Denver Broncos offensive lineman)
 
What's one thing fans should watch for from your position group this year?  Trench Warfare
 
What's your favorite part of game day?  Seeing my family in the stands after a win 
 
Who's the funniest teammate?  Sean Crowley

Name two players that you think are future team captains: Jackson Gutierrez and MarcAntony Parker