Timing is everything for Reynolds

Navy star turned pro before Pentagon rescinded military service policy for athletes

Ravens associate head coach and special teams coordinator spotted wide receiver on Thursday at the first meeting of the team’s rookie minicamp and said, “Timing is everything, huh Keenan?”

Rosburg’s comment was a reference to the United States Department of Defense’s recent decision to rescind a policy that allows military service academy athletes to play professionally immediately after graduation. A year earlier, the Department of Defense had given Reynolds the green light to defer his military service and play in the NFL, while serving in the Navy Reserves.

Reynolds, the Ravens’ sixth-round draft pick last season, spent the majority of his rookie year on the team’s practice squad.

“It’s just crazy how it’s just the right time, right place,” Reynolds said Saturday after the second day of the team’s three-day minicamp. He’s eligible to participate because he only spent one week on the team’s active roster last year. Reynolds, 23, said that he reached out to several players from service academies that were affected by the new ruling to offer his support. Air Force wide receiver who led the NCAA In yards per catch last year, and Navy wide receiver were both reportedly garnering NFL interest.

With the new ruling, they’ll have to serve two years of active duty before applying for reserve status that would allow them to pursue a professional football career.

“The most important thing is that it just reiterates what we already knew and what we already believe, that service is the most important part,” Reynolds said. “Yes, I’m out here able to play but also serve as well in the reserve capacity. It’s just as important to me as it is for somebody that is serving full-time.

“It is what it is. That’s what the policy was when I first came to the academy. I never came to the academy with the intention of trying to make it to the NFL. I was just fortunate to have the opportunity to go play right away and I’m just taking it day by day.”

Reynolds, who had a record-setting college career as Navy’s quarterback, made the transition to wide receiver last year. He struggled during the various minicamps and training camps in learning his new position. He was cut late in the preseason, but he cleared waivers and the Ravens added him to their practice squad.

“He’s looked good. Obviously, he’s got a year under his belt, so he and and

the guys who have been here before, they certainly have an edge and I think they can kind of show the other guys how to do it,” Ravens coach said Saturday. “For Keenan, it’s a new position. He’s obviously worked hard the last three months on his own, to kind of train himself how to play receiver. I know he’s made some trips and traveled and worked at it. He’s doing a good job.”

Reynolds acknowledged that absorbing the playbook and where to line up was challenging last season. He said that he learned a lot from veterans such as and With Smith having retired and leaving in free agency, there will be opportunities for Reynolds and other Ravens receivers to step into bigger roles. Potential targets: Harbaugh acknowledged that the Ravens’ failure to select a wide receiver in the draft allowed them to attract several coveted undrafted free-agent pass catchers. Of the team’s 16 undrafted free agents, four of them are receivers. That group consists of Mississippi’s Utah’s

and Tennessee- Arizona State’s Chattanooga’s who sprained his ankle and didn’t practice Saturday. Nice start: The minicamp practices are noncontact and players aren’t wearing pads, but Harbaugh is pleased with what he has seen so far from the team’s rookie class. Cornerback pass rushers defensive end offensive linemen and and and safety are all healthy and getting their reps in the practices. End zone: The Ravens are trying out a host of players at the minicamp, including former Maryland defensive lineman (McDonogh) and former Minnesota quarterback . ... Harbaugh brought up the recent hostility between the Orioles and Boston Red Sox in his post-practice news conference. “It’s Ravens-Patriots. It’s Baltimore-Boston,” he said. “That’s a pretty good rivalry, too.” Harbaugh called the 77 mph curveball that Orioles starter hit Red Sox shortstop with, resulting in Gausman’s ejection from the second inning of Wednesday’s game, a “love tap.” ... The rookie minicamp officially ends today.