Name: Joshua Switzer


Nickname: Switz


Year: Senior


Position: Safety


Height: 5'10


Weight: 190


Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.


High School: Ardrey Kell


Major: Ocean Engineering (editor's note, Josh holds a 3.99 grade point average. He received 1 A- his plebe year. He is ranked #12 in overall order of merit)


What other schools offered you and what was it about Navy that made you come here?  Marshall, Brown, Elon and Presbyterian; Navy provided me with the opportunity to challenge myself academically, serve my country and be surrounded by the best of the best, all while playing big time FBS football. 


What would you tell somebody that is considering coming to Navy to play football? First, I would describe the variety of experiences that coming to the Naval Academy has provided me with. From running out of a tunnel before a football game viewed by millions of people, to participating in a surface cruise in San Diego, to working an internship in a lab, to dressing up as a team to watch a croquet match, I would demonstrate to them how Navy has allowed me to be fortunate enough to reflect often and say "I cannot believe this is my life." I then would ask them what their values are, and if they include being challenged to be your best self, surrounding yourself with family, growing your faith and giving back to others, then I would tell them that Navy is the place for them. 


If you could play another position, what position would you play and why?  I would play quarterback since I feel like it is the safety of the offence and it's what Blake played. 


If you could choose any opponent for Navy to play that is currently not on the schedule, who would you choose and why?  I would choose Georgia. During our bye week last year a few of my teammates and I went there for a game and we were itching to play in their stadium. 


Favorite class at the Naval Academy and why?   My favorite class at the Naval Academy was Economics in National Defense. The teacher, Professor Boultwood, was a phenomenal teacher who is an expert in her field and made the content extremely relevant to our lives as midshipmen. Even now, almost three years later, I still recall what I learned in that class when I am reading the news. I tell every Navy football player to take the class.


Favorite teacher at the Naval Academy?  My favorite teacher at the Naval Academy is Professor Schultz. He is one of those great professors who recalls what it was like to learn the material as a student, so he effectively explains it to us in a way we can understand. He cared about us as more than just a letter grade on paper and made a willing effort to connect with us. Also, it didn't hurt that he was pretty funny. 


Favorite form of social media and why? I love instagram because I can keep up with what my friends are doing around the world and then scroll reels. 


Favorite person to follow on social media and why?   Charli D'amelio because my sister and I used to learn dances from her. 


If you could have dinner with any 4 people that are currently at the Naval Academy who would you choose and why?  I would have dinner with Trent Gillis (with a word count), Coach Eric Lewis, Lieutenant General Borgschulte and Coach Nick Aloi because it would be a very engaging conversation that I would never forget. 


Favorite sport to follow at the Naval Academy outside of football and why?  Navy Women's Lacrosse because a couple of my good friends play for them, so a few of my teammates and I go support their games. 


What song is playing on your headphones in the locker room right before taking the field?  Dream On by Aerosmith


What is your dream vacation?   Cage diving with sharks in South Africa. 


Favorite Coach Newberry Quote:  "Chase perfection, catch excellence"


Who will be the surprise player on offense in 2026?  Vic Listorti


Who will be the surprise player on defense in 2026? Cam Robinson


Who is the toughest player on the Navy football team?  Hoke Smith III


What player epitomizes Navy Football?  Giuseppi Sessi


Who will be the Most Valuable Player on offense in 2026?  Braxton Woodson


Who will be the Most Valuable Player on defense in 2026?  Coleman Cauley


What are you most looking forward to in 2026?  "Running fast and hitting hard with the best friends I am ever going to have" -Coach Ricky Brown


Tell us one thing about you that most people don't know?   Although I try to act like I'm not, I'm definitely a nerd.


If you could play another sport at the Naval Academy, what would it be? I would play basketball.


Who is your favorite Navy athlete to watch outside of football?  Jalin Jenkins (women's lacrosse)


What does it mean to wear "Navy" across your chest? Wearing Navy across my chest means being a part of something much bigger than myself, bigger than a football game, bigger than just a college; it means having the honor of representing all of the individuals who have been in or supported the military.  It is an honor that comes with the responsibility of making all of those people proud of what we stand for. 


What leadership lesson has football taught you? Football taught me the importance of knowing your people. Every teammate comes from different backgrounds and is motivated by different things. I learned that what works to drive me is not the same as others. The best leaders are the ones that diligently spend the time understanding those around them and building meaningful relationships. 


Which upperclassman impacted you the most when you arrived? Eavan Gibbons was a huge mentor to me and our safety room. He was a guy who you always knew was going to show up and give you everything he had. It has been three years since he last took a snap here but we still talk about his legacy. 


What's one quality every successful midshipman needs? A "why" driving them. Every midshipman needs to look into themselves and figure out what it is that motivates them to want to succeed here. There are going to be tough times and long days, but the ones who are most successful are able to rely on what drives them and prevail. 


Which teammate would make the best Commandant? Jai Hundley


Which teammate would make the best Superintendent? Gage Leonard


Who talks the most trash in practice? Phillip Hamilton


Which player would make the best coach someday? Griffen Willis


Who has the best game-day energy? Trent Gillis


Favorite road stadium you've played in? USF


Favorite uniform combination? Navy on Navy 


Which current NFL player do you model your game after? Cooper DeJean (safety, Philadelphia Eagles)


What's one thing fans should watch for from your position group this year? They should watch how we celebrate each other's victories as if they were our own. 


What's your favorite part of game day? The moment the safeties huddle up on the field and pray together pre game. 


Who's the funniest teammate?  Joshua Guerin 


Name two players that you think are future team captains?  MarcAnthony Parker and Jackson Guetirrez