Enlisted into NAVY football

DC1220

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Feb 18, 2013
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I am going to go Enlisted in the marines to better mature myself for the academy, i have a couple questions:
1.Can an enlisted play NAVY football?
2.Are there walk-on tryouts at NAVY
3.Can anyone attend those?
4.Are walk-ons held every year?

It has been my desire to play for NAVY football, I could not play in High school all because i moved to that state where my high school is located, a week late from tryouts and they wouldn't let me attend a practice to take a look at me
 
Some obvious confusion here. Suggest you do some research on the goals and objectives of those who attend a SA.
 
^^ I agree. Enlisting is not really the recommended path to USNA and is no guarantee, not sure why you would choose to do that. If you aren't even playing football in h.s. (regardless of the reason), being a walk-on in a blue chip/highly recruited sport is also unlikely.
 
1.Can an enlisted play NAVY football?

Yes, NCAA rules apply. Being enlisted has nothing to do with eligibility.

2.Are there walk-on tryouts at NAVY

For football? Rarely - if ever.

3.Can anyone attend those?

I don't think anybody can be prohibited from trying out for any sport. But, the likelihood of making the team would be remote if you were not recruited for football.

4.Are walk-ons held every year?

For football, as far as I know, there is no call for general tryouts nor any encouragement for walk-ons.

* * *

Attending college or directly applying to the academy while in high school are better routes to USNA than enlisting.
 
Just to be clear . . . You can only play Navy football if you are a midshipman at USNA.

If you enter USNA as a prior enlisted, yes, you are as eligible to play as any other mid.

I have some vague recollection that, on occasion, a walk-on makes the team. However, those players tend to be either kickers or special teams players. It would be very rare for someone to walk on to a "skill" or a line position.

If you are relatively lightweight, Sprint football (formerly Lightweight Football) is an option. You would likely have a better chance of making the team as a walk-on.
 
Here is what I remember about this topic:

1. For athletics eligibility in general, I recently read that the NCAA is extending the age limits for athletes to make sure prior military can play. (This had always been the case, then the NCAA apparently accidently closed the military loophole, and now they are re-opening it.)

2. If you're a mid at USNA, you're eligible for all teams.

3. I believe Navy football does have one walk-on tryout day each year. Generally they take no one. Navy football tends to over-recruit because they know they'll get drop-outs from NAPs and academics and the demands of plebe year, etc. They also can effectively offer EVERYONE a "scholarship," in the sense that all mids go to school for free in return for the military obligation, so there's nothing to stop them from trying to bring in as many football recruits as admissions will allow.


4. Without high school football experience, your chance of making Navy football as a walk-on is, I would say, functionally non-existent. If you end up in the Marines, you can try to see if there is a base team on which you can play and you can try to get a friend to take film of you if you are good. To have even the remotest chance of walking on, you'd really need to make prior contact with coaches and have film to interest them.

5. Sprint football at Navy (aka "lightweight football") is also quite competitive and generally is made up of very successful high school players (all-league, all-conference), but you could check it out.

6. If you have your heart set on playing a sport under the "N star" you should start thinking widely about things like rugby, as well, to give yourself some options.

7. There is nothing wrong with being motivated to play a sport at the Academy, but you've got to get in first. Enlistment as a Marine can lead to USNA but it is not certain, so just make sure you are okay with serving your full hitch in the USMC (there are other office routes too) if USNA doesn't work out.
 
I am going to go Enlisted in the marines to better mature myself for the academy,

DC1220 - This is not a normal path to the academy and you need to check on your capabilities, goals and liklihood of success before going down this path.

I have personally seen the transformation that enlisting in the Marines can have on a person. I heartily recommend it in certain cases. Typically those involve someone who is "lost" and needing some direction, those who find school is not for them at this time, and many other unique situations.

I have also seen some recruiters suggest that an enlisted tour will make you a better Officer or give you a leg up in the scholarship application process.

I can't begin to know your situation but agree with the other posters regarding you stated goal of playing football at Navy.

I want to warn you to be careful here. Don't start down a path where you end up where you don't want to be. Make sure your goals are realistic.

Good luck
 
I have also seen some recruiters suggest that an enlisted tour will make you a better Officer or give you a leg up in the scholarship application process.

I read this again and realized I wasn't clear on this point. I do not accept this premise and recommend against taking this option. There are many posts from me and others about the DEP program within these forums. I recommend you search for the threads to see what others feel about this route in your commissioning path.
 
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