Navy Midshipmen football senior safety Rayuan Lane III was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, April 26, 2025, in the sixth round of the NFL draft, which took place in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Lane is the 19th U.S. Naval Academy graduate drafted by the NFL and the first defensive back. He is the fourth Navy football player to be drafted in the last 11 years and the first defensive player 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," Lane said. "I want to thank my family, my teammates and coaches at both the Gilman School [in Baltimore] 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 P.J. Volker, Navy defensive coordinator. "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 Eric Lewis, Navy defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach. "I firmly believe that Rayuan's best football [days are] 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 can play immediately because Section 557 of the National Defense Authorization Act 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 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 they became just the sixth team in school history to win 10 games. Navy also won the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy with dominating performances over Air Force and Army and defeated Oklahoma 21-20 in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Lane finished his career with 244 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, seven interceptions — two for touchdowns — broke up 21 passes, recovered three fumbles and forced eight fumbles.
He was named first-team All-American Athletic Conference in 2024.
Lane started the final 43 games of his college career, the longest streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision 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, safety, Jacksonville Jaguars, 6th round (200th overall pick)
- 2020 - Malcolm Perry, quarterback, Miami Dolphins, 7th round (246th overall pick)
- 2016 - Keenan Reynolds, quarterback, Baltimore Ravens, 6th round (182nd overall pick)
- 2015 - Joe Cardona, long snapper, New England Patriots, 5th round (166th overall pick)
- 1993 - Bob Kuberski, defensive tackle, Green Bay Packers, 7th round (183rd overall pick)
- 1986 - Napoleon McCallum, running back, Los Angeles Raiders, 4th round (108th overall pick)
- 1973 - Glen Nardi, defensive tackle, Pittsburgh Steelers, 16th round (414th overall pick)
- 1964 - Roger Staubach, quarterback, Dallas Cowboys, 10th round (129th overall pick)
- 1962 - Greg Mather, kicker, New York Giants, 14th round (194th overall pick)
- 1961 - Joe Bellino, halfback, Washington Redskins, 17th round (227th overall pick)
- 1959 - Bob Reifsnyder, defensive end, Los Angeles Rams, 4th round (45th overall pick)
- 1958 - Tom Forrestal, quarterback, Baltimore Colts, 20th round (237th overall pick)
- 1956 - George Welsh, quarterback, Chicago Cardinals, 16th round (186th overall pick)
- 1956 - Ron Beagle, kicker, Chicago Cardinals, 17th round (197th overall pick)
- 1948 - Dick Scott, center, Chicago Bears, 13th round (133rd overall pick)
- 1947 - Bob Kelly, halfback, Green Bay Packers, 10th round (81st overall pick)
- 1947 - Bob Hoernschemeyer, running back, New York Giants, 11th round (94th overall pick)
- 1947 - Jim Carrington, offensive lineman, New York Giants, 28th round (264th overall pick)
- 1944 - Don Whitmire, offensive tackle, Green Bay Packers, 9th round (82nd overall pick)