Salute to the Troops: Five NFL Players Who Played at Military Academies
Every year, hundreds of millions of Americans celebrate Independence Day. The Fourth of July is when people light off fireworks, eat hot dogs and hamburgers, and converse with family and friends. It’s interesting to see how the United States Military and football can be paired up. The Army Black Knights, Navy Midshipmen, and Air Force Falcons are the three football teams that represent U.S. military academies in NCAA Division I football. Not many players from service academies ever end up making names for themselves in pro football, and this is the time to put a spotlight on some current players who are making names for themselves in the NFL.
Jordan Jackson - Air Force
After finishing his career at the Air Force Academy, Jordan Jackson took home many accolades: fifth in career sacks for the Air Force, two Second-Team All-Mountain West selections, and Air Force Most Valuable Player in 2021. His 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles during the season earned him a trip to the 2021 Senior Bowl. Before the 2022 NFL Draft, the NFL’s prospect grade of 5.58 considered him a priority undrafted free agent, making it surprising when the Saints drafted him in the sixth round at 194th overall. Jackson spent the entire 2022 season on the Saints’ practice squad before being signed to a futures contract with the Broncos on January 10, a team that likely scouted him before considering that the Air Force Academy is about 60 miles from Mile High Stadium. The six-foot-four, 294-pound defensive lineman remained on the practice squad for 2023 as well before finally being given a chance last season. In 2024, Jackson played in 310 defensive snaps and 164 on special teams, making a name for himself with a strip sack of Chris Oladokun in Week 17. According to ESPN’s depth chart, Jackson is currently slotted in as the backup to John Franklin-Myers at right defensive end.
Brett Toth - Army
The relationship between Brett Toth and the Eagles is about as inseparable as one can get. Toth graduated from the military academy as a second lieutenant before coming to the NFL, but in August 2019, the Eagles signed Toth before cutting him soon thereafter. He found his second NFL home with the Cardinals, which saw him on the practice squad before suffering an injury that led to his placement on injured reserve and then cut again. Toth reunited with the Eagles the next day on October 7, making his NFL debut in Week Six against the Ravens, playing 17 offensive snaps at right tackle. For 2021, he was active for 11 games—the most in his career—and even played a big role in the regular season finale before suffering a major knee injury. The Charleston, South Carolina native saw no action in 2022 due to the injury but evidently impressed the Panthers, who signed him off of the Eagles’ practice squad in 2023, eventually elevating him for his first NFL start since the 2020 season. The Eagles brought him back to Philadelphia that December, signing him to the practice squad again, and it turned out that the third time was the charm because he hasn’t left the Eagles since. He was promoted to the active roster on January 10, 2025, and won a Super Bowl when the Eagles defeated the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX with a rematch now looming for Week Two.
Rayuan Lane III - Navy
At the Naval Academy, Rayuan Lane III showed his ability to be a versatile defensive back and great gunner on special teams, which positively impacted his draft stock. He put together two masterful seasons from 2023-24, earning Third-Team All-AAC, First-Team All-AAC, and First-Team All-ECAC honors as well as being a semifinalist for the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award. The Jaguars made the big move of the draft by trading up to select Travis Hunter, but the two picks that Jacksonville got back from Cleveland were used to select Bhayshul Tuten at 104 and Lane at 200. Just a month after he was drafted, Lane became commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps reserves. With big shoes to fill as only the fourth Navy player drafted this century, he’ll be looking to hit the ground running in the preseason with the Jags. Expect him to be the team’s gunner this season, and hopefully, he’ll play some snaps at safety shortly.
Trey Taylor - Air Force
Trey Taylor is known for his exemplary 2023 season, where he earned selections as a First-Team All-American and First-Team All-Mountain West, as well as winning the Jim Thorpe Award. Taylor was drafted by the Raiders in the seventh round in 2024, making him the 10th Air Force Falcon ever to be taken in the NFL Draft. After being drafted, he put together three total tackles in the preseason, including two tackles for loss. Unfortunately, he was placed on injured reserve just before the season started, sidelining him for the first six games of the regular season. When he got activated, the Raiders utilized his skillset in a plethora of different ways on special teams. He played on the kick coverage, kick return, punt return, and field goal block units as a rookie. In college, he played all over the place, too. Taylor recorded at least 160 snaps at slot corner, free safet,y and in the box, which might help his chances of seeing the field on defense for 2025.
Cole Christiansen - Army
After going undrafted in 2020, Cole Christiansen signed with the Chargers as a UDFA, getting cut during final roster cuts in September, but getting signed to the practice squad the next day. He saw his first NFL action in weeks 11-13 against the Jets, Bills, and Patriots, respectively. In his tenure with the Chargers, he’d go on and off between the practice squad and the active roster, playing in a career-high 22-of-23 special teams snaps against the Ravens in Week Six of 2021. He got waived by the Chargers again in his third year, but the Chiefs signed him to their practice squad before their divisional rival had a chance to. In his lone game on the active roster, Christiansen tackled Khalil Shakir for no gain after a 56-yard punt that pinned Buffalo at their four-yard line. He’d go on to win back-to-back Super Bowls with the Chiefs, seeing action in all three playoff games on special teams during their second run. Then, he went on to see an increased role in 2024, playing in more games than he had in his first three seasons combined. His 141 snaps played last season were only 12 fewer than he had played in his entire career up to that point.
