Navy Linebacker Colin Ramos Named to Nagurski Watch List

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On Tuesday, July 30, Navy senior linebacker Colin Ramos was named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Nagurski is presented annually to the best defensive player in college football by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Ramos was named first-team All-American Athletic Conference after leading the Midshipmen in tackles in 2023. He was awarded the 2023 Annapolis Touchdown Club Navy MVP and was chosen as a Team Captain for the Midshipmen for 2024.

Colin Ramos

Ramos was the only service academy player to be named to the Nagurski Watch List. In 2023, Ramos racked up 110 tackles, including 8 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. One of the key leaders on the Midshipmen defense, Ramos plays with incredible passion and intensity. He had a season-high of 16 tackles in the season finale against rival Army.

In his sophomore season, Ramos was named a third-team selection to Phil Steele's All-AAC team after finishing with 79 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4 sacks and an interception. He notched 13 tackles in Navy's 27-20 win against Temple. Later in the year, Ramos was credited with 2 TFLs and 1.5 sacks against Notre Dame. As a freshman in 2021, Ramos played sparingly but made an impact whenever he was on the field. He tallied 9 tackles, 1 TFL and forced a fumble.

Ramos is a 5-foot-11, 209-pound wrecking ball who enrolled at the Naval Academy in 2021 after a year at the Naval Academy Prep School. He played at Don Bosco Preparatory High School in New Jersey. In 2019, Ramos was named first-team All-County and All-State after leading the team in tackles.

On July 9, Ramos was named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List. That award factors in character and impact on and off the field and was named after USC Trojans star and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott.

Navy's 2024 Season Outlook

Navy has an opportunity to improve upon last season's disappointing 5-7 finish. The Midshipmen return 12 starters from last year’s team, which is tied for the fourth most in the AAC. Seven of those returning starters are on the defensive side of the ball, which is head coach Brian Newberry’s specialty.

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Navy has not beaten Army or Air Force the past two seasons and has not won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy outright since 2019. The quest for that award is a top priority for all of the service academies, but especially for the Midshipmen. Navy has won 11 outright CIC Trophies since 2000, the most of all three schools. Navy will open the season on Aug. 31 at home against Bucknell.

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The 2023 Nagurski Trophy was awarded to Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts. If Ramos were to take home the Nagurski, he would make history. To date, no player from a service academy has ever won the award since its' inception in 1993.

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