Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Rayuan Lane III ’21, a 2025 graduate of the Naval Academy and rookie defensive back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was recently invited by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for a special visit to the Pentagon.

Lane's visit included a tour of the Pentagon with a robust history lesson on the Defense Department and introductions to some of its current leaders. For his part, Hegseth praised Lane for the example he sets for service and excellence: "Think about all the kids that can look and say, not only can I serve my country, but I can excel at the highest of levels and make it to the NFL," he told Lane, as quoted in an article shared by the Department of Defense.

Lane has had a busy 2025. In early March, he participated in the NFL Scouting Combine, an invite-only, weeklong skills showcase for the top NFL draft-eligible players in college football. In April, he was selected by the Jaguars in the sixth round of the NFL draft. Lane graduated from the Naval Academy in May and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He is currently preparing for the start of the Jaguars' training camp on July 23.

Read the full story of Lane’s visit here.