Three Midshipmen Defenders Named First-Team All-AAC

@ Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Finishing in third place in the American Athletic Conference, the Navy Midshipmen (8-3, 6-2) put together a solid season, highlighted by a Week 3 victory over the No. 25 Memphis Tigers (10-2, 6-2). Led by a sturdy defense, the Midshipmen held most opponents in check.

Two important tests remain for Navy as the team looks to conclude the season with a bang. First and foremost, the Midshipmen seek to derail their rival, the No. 22 Army Black Knights (11-1, 8-0), in the 125th Army-Navy game. Led by AAC Coach of the Year Jeff Monken, the Cadets are a formidable foe this year.

@ Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Then, in an intriguing postseason matchup, Navy concludes its season against the Oklahoma Sooners (6-6, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) on Dec. 27 in the Armed Forces Bowl. While the Sooners have struggled at times this year, they demonstrated their high-end potential when they routed No. 11 Alabama (9-3, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) on Nov. 23 in Norman, Okla.

All-AAC Trio

In these last two games of the season, the Midshipmen's hopes of success will depend significantly on the play of three of their elite defenders who were recently named first-team All-AAC: senior safety Rayuan Lane III, senior linebacker Colin Ramos and junior defensive lineman Landon Robinson.

Rayaun Lane III

Lane is a defensive playmaker who ranges all over the field. In addition to making 61 tackles, the 5-foot-11, 197-pound defensive back has broken up 3 passes, forced 3 fumbles and snared 2 interceptions. One of his interceptions was a dramatic Pick-6 that sealed Navy's upset win over Memphis. A consistent, steady performer, Lane is a four-year starter at free safety for the Middies.

Colin Ramos

Ramos was one of 12 semifinalists for the prestigious Lombardi Award, and one of only two players from a Group of 5 team to advance to that stage in consideration for the prize. Leading the Midshipmen in tackles with 110, including 8 tackles for loss and 3 sacks, the 5-foot-11, 209-pound LB from Wayne, N.J. has been the anchor of the Navy defense.

A team captain, Ramos is a three-year starter who also led the Midshipmen in tackles during the 2023 campaign.

In the upset victory over Memphis earlier this season, Ramos tallied a jaw-dropping 20 tackles.

Landon Robinson

The 6-foot, 285-pound Robinson is an imposing presence in the trenches. He's racked up 43 tackles, including 5 TFLs and 4 sacks. He has also forced 1 fumble and leads the team in quarterback hits with 6. The native of Fairlawn, Ohio is the strongest player on the team, squatting 650 pounds and bench-pressing 435 pounds. A gifted athlete, he has a 33-inch vertical jump.

Led by this trio of dynamic defenders, the Midshipmen look to close out their season with two signature victories. If they do so, they will reach the 10-win mark.