With Department of Defense approval, Navy LB Diego Fagot signed by Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE (BVM) – Diego Fagot will have the opportunity to pursue his NFL dreams. The Naval Academy graduate and linebacker officially signed with the Baltimore Ravens after he was one of four academy graduates to receive permission from the Department of Defense to pursue a career in professional athletics.
Ravens announced they signed former Navy linebacker Diego Fagot, who now gets to stay in the area.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 23, 2022
While the rangy inside linebacker had a strong career with the Midshipmen, Fagot went undrafted during the 2022 NFL Draft due in part to the uncertainty of his availability as athletes at service academies often have to complete their five years of military service prior to playing professionally. Fortunately, with the recent approval of his athletic pursuits, Fagot will earn a chance to make the Ravens‘ final roster going forward.
Fagot, at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, was a strong fit for the Navy defense acting as one of four team captains during his final season. In four seasons with the Midshipmen, Fagot had 282 total tackles, 148 solo tackles, 9.5 sacks, seven pass deflections, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Fagot finished his Navy career with a strong senior season recording 94 total tackles, 49 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery en route to his second first-team All-American Conference honor, becoming the only Navy player to be named All-AAC multiple times.
During the leadup to the NFL Draft, Fagot helped boost his stock with a strong performance at the East-West Shrine Game. During the contest, the linebacker recorded seven tackles and a sack for the East in the team’s 25-24 loss. This performance earned Fagot the contest’s defensive MVP honors.
With his signing to the Ravens, Fagot becomes the 10th Navy player under head coach Ken Niumatalolo to either be signed as a UDFA or be drafted since he took over the program in 2008. Fagot also gave the Midshipmen three consecutive years with a player joining the NFL ranks as defensive back Cameron Kinley signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year and quarterback Malcolm Perry was drafted in the seventh round as a wide receiver by the Miami Dolphins the year prior.
“I am super excited for Diego,” Niumatalolo said in a press release. “He is the best defensive player we have had since I’ve been at Navy and I’m excited for him to continue his journey.”
While Fagot will still have lot of work to do to make the Ravens’ final roster this season, he will be able to get his career started right away beginning with the team’s organized team activities that kick off this week. Given his ability on the field, Fagot will have a strong chance to make the team and prove he deserved the permission to pursue his NFL dreams.
“I am humbled and blessed to say that I’m a Raven,” Fagot said in a school press release. “Thank you to all the Navy fans and staff who have supported me thus far. Let’s get to work.”
