Navy says no to NFL hopeful’s request to postpone service, pursue Buccaneers roster spot

Kinley took a significant step toward realizing one of those goals when the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed the cornerback as an undrafted free agent. But after a successful rookie minicamp, the Tennessee native who compares his tall build to three-time first-team All-Pro Richard Sherman was informed by U.S. Navy officials that his waiver request to postpone his looming five-year service window had been denied.

There are currently four other academy graduates of the class of 2021 chasing spots on NFL rosters. The Seahawks signed West Point grad Jon Rhattigan, while the Broncos, Rams and Jets signed Air Force graduates Nolan Laufenberg, George Silvanic, and Parker Ferguson, respectively.