American football player Diego Fagot, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, plays linebacker for the Navy Midshipmen. Baltimore announced that they have signed the former Midshipman on Monday.
The team’s current number 54 jersey belongs to Fagot. The decision to sign Fagot was taken a day after the Naval Academy granted the linebacker and three other players permission to continue and pursue careers in professional sports
The Navy has granted an exception for Fagot and three other individuals, who are not required to immediately commit to five-year military service after graduating from the academy.
Athletes who are given permission to pursue a career in athletics are not commissioned as officers until their sporting careers are over, at which point they start their five-year minimum necessary military service.
Fagot was a powerful player for the Navy football squad. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Fagot, a two-time first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection, was awarded the defensive MVP of the Shrine Bowl last season and had 94 tackles.However, he was not taken in the 2022 draft. He made 282 tackles (35.5 for a loss), 9.5 sacks, two interceptions, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries despite a 4-8 record.
He will have the option to resume fighting when organized team activities get underway this week. Inside linebackers, John Ross of Michigan and Zakoby McClain of Auburn, who were both undrafted, were also signed by Baltimore.