Lane in spotlight
Gilman graduate among five freshmen to watch this season
It is not easy to earn playing time for the Navy football program as a freshman.
Plebe summer is grueling and often wipes out the legs of incoming recruits. It goes without saying that being introduced to the academic and military demands of a service academy adds stress to the lives of first-year football players.
Contributing offensively for the Midshipmen as a plebe is uncommon during the current triple-option era because the system is so complex. Operating within the triple-option requires an understanding of the schemes, perfect precision and consistent executing of assignments.
Several freshmen slotbacks have shown flashes at times during August training camp with Campbell Speights (McAllen, Texas), Cameron Smith (Charlotte, North Carolina) and Amin Hassan (Miami, Florida) among those making plays.
However, none of those promising plebes made the depth chart for the season opener versus Marshall on Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Navy released an updated depth chart on
Monday and it featured one freshman on offense and five on defense.
Here are five freshmen to watch going into Saturday’s season opener against Marshall:
Regis Velez, wide receiver
Velez is a transfer from Northern Arizona and gained some experience in practice last season despite not playing in a game. The Phoenix resident played at Brophy Prep, a perennial powerhouse in Arizona at the Class 6A level.
The 6-foot-4, 212-pounder has the size to contribute on special teams and as a blocker in Navy’s triple-option offense. He showed a willingness to hit during August training camp and caught the attention of coaches.
“Some kids come into camp and jump right out at you. [Velez} is a good football player with a very bright future and a tremendous upside,” Navy offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper said. “The kid is not scared
of anything. He’ll go down there and try to block anybody and everybody.
“We need to get some meat on his bones, but this kid is very physical and tough.”
Velez was listed third at the Z wide receiver position on the updated depth chart released Monday. He replaced junior Zachary Kuhlman, who is still recovering from a severe ankle injury sustained during spring practice.
Velez is following in the footsteps of his older brother by attending a service academy. Ryan Velez was a four-year member of
the Army football program, graduating from West Point in 2020.
Jasper said Velez won’t play much early on but could earn time as the season goes along.
Kyle Jacob, inside linebacker
Tama Tuitele’s decision to leave the Naval Academy and enter the NCAA transfer portal opened a spot on the depth chart at inside linebacker. Jacob seized the opportunity, displaying a hard-nosed demeanor that earned the notice of position coach P.J. Volker.
Jacob was a two-way standout at Paramus High in New Jersey, earning all-state recognition as a senior. He is the school recordholder in rushing yards, all-purpose yards, forced fumbles and interceptions.
The 6-foot, 210-pounder amassed 2,934 career rushing yards with all but 240 coming his junior and senior seasons. He totaled 107 tackles, nine forced fumbles and four interceptions as a senior safety.
Jacob was also a standout wrestler at Paramus, recording 125 career wins and reaching the state finals as a junior. He was ranked eighth nationally at 220 pounds as a senior.
Jacob, who initially committed to Fordham, bulked up and grew into a linebacker while at the Naval Academy Prep School. His combination of size and athleticism fits well at the MIKE inside linebacker spot, and he is third on the depth chart behind senior Diego Fagot and sophomore Chaisen Buckner.
“Really impressed with Kyle. Really athletic and really physical player,” Navy defensive coordinator Brian Newberry said. “We recognized early on in camp he had a lot of ability. He’s still learning the system. A young guy with the potential to provide solid depth.”
Turner Stepp, outside linebacker
An injury sustained by Ajani Cuevas-Gillis opened a spot on the depth chart at the hybrid outside linebacker position known as striker. Stepp, another Naval Academy Prep School product, emerged from the pack and is now No. 3 behind starter John Marshall and backup Xavier McDonald.
Stepp was a four-year letterman at Decatur High in Alabama, serving as team captain as a senior. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder committed to Navy over offers from Stetson and Tennessee Tech.
Assistant Steve Johns, who coaches the strikers, liked the speed, athleticism and toughness of Stepp, who was also an all-state baseball player at Decatur. He is the son of Brad Stepp, a member of the 1993 Division III national championship football team at North Alabama.
Newberry said Stepp will be used primarily on special teams until he learns the defensive system a bit better.
“Real excited about Turner. He’s a big kid who can really run and plays with a lot of physicality,” Newberry said. “He’s a guy who stood out in special teams drills and individual drills. Not quite fully ready to go into a game on defense, but every day he’s getting a little closer.”
Rayuan Lane, safety
Lane made a meteoric rise up the depth chart during August training camp and is now listed No. 2 at free safety behind starter Kevin Brennan. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Jessup resident is in line to play in the season opener in Navy’s nickel and dime packages.
The Gilman School graduate played both cornerback and safety at the prep level, earning first team All-MIAA A Conference honors. He also excelled as a running back and returner, scoring seven touchdowns in just two games during the abbreviated 2020 campaign.
Lane was initially focused on basketball at Gilman and did not even play football as a sophomore. He was also a three-year letterman in track and field.
“A young man who is really impressive athletically. Maybe the most gifted guy in that safety room,” Newberry said. “It’s just a matter of him learning everything so I feel comfortable that I can put him in the game and trust him. Athletically, he can do whatever we need a guy to do at that position.”
Mbiti Williams Jr., cornerback
Williams moved from safety to cornerback early in preseason camp and proved he could compete in man-to-man coverage. The Naval Academy Prep School product has added weight and strength after being listed at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds as a recruit.
The Snellville, Georgia native was a fouryear letterman in football at Pace Academy, earning all-region honors as a senior. He was a two-time all-state selection in lacrosse and was also a member of the track and field team.
Williams, who drew interest from Florida State, has moved onto the depth chart as the backup at boundary corner behind two-year starter Michael McMorris.
“Another guy that we identified early as athletically and physically being able to help us,” Newberry said of Williams. “Mbiti can run, and he’s a bigger corner. Mbiti can run. A prep school guy whose had a year to develop since high school and is somewhat familiar with our system. He’s done some really good things in camp.”
Elias Larry, another plebe, is third on the depth chart at boundary corner. The 6-foot, 170-pounder chose Navy over service academy rivals Air Force and Army coming out of Sierra Canyon High in Palmdale, California.