The Cincinnati Bengals held a private workout over the weekend with Navy strong safety Wyatt Middleton, according to National Football Post's Aaron Wilson.

Middletown was a four-year starter for Navy and recorded 86 tackles last season with five fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. The 6-foot-1, 192-pounder was a team captain who set a Midshipmen freshman record with 88 tackles. As a junior, he finished with 68 tackles, two for losses, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.



Middleton is the safety that scored a 98-yard touchdown against Army to give Navy a 24-7 lead heading into half-time. The play was the longest in the series' history.

The Bengals are expected to draft at least one safety during the NFL Draft weekend to compensate a team full of injured safeties that were replaced on the roster with undrafted free agents and practice squad players.

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2011/4/11/2104342/cincinnati-bengals-held-private-workout-with-navy-strong-safety-wyatt

Wouldn't he have about 4 years of military service before he could start playing in the NFL?

A graduate of the USNA has a minimum 5 year commitment.

There are cases though were that can be waived or postponed.

Commander of Awesome;739070 wrote:There are cases though were that can be waived or postponed.

Yep, you are absolutely correct CoA. If the institution believes, and it would have to receive approval from all the way up to the Secretary of The Navy, that enough positive recognition will be gained for the football program and the institution itself the Navy will waive the service requirements. In my opinion that will not happen with Wyatt Middleton.

The defined cost to the taxpayers to educate a Midshipmen after considering pay, insurance and benefits along with the institutional expenses is approximately $300,000. The Navy isn't going to get $300k of additional PR from Wyatt Middleton playing in the NFL.

Commander of Awesome;739070 wrote:There are cases though were that can be waived or postponed.

Yep, you are absolutely correct CoA. If the institution believes, and it would have to receive approval from all the way up to the Secretary of The Navy, that enough positive recognition will be gained for the football program and the institution itself the Navy will waive the service requirements. In my opinion that will not happen with Wyatt Middleton.

The defined cost to the taxpayers to educate a Midshipmen after considering pay, insurance and benefits along with the institutional expenses is approximately $300,000. The Navy isn't going to get $300k of additional PR from Wyatt Middleton playing in the NFL.

I should restate that, I believe it's valued at $300,000 as opposed to a cost.

Con, wait... are you saying that they will probably not "OK" him to go to the NFL?

No, he can go to the NFL. He is free to go after he serves his 5 years. I am just guessing based on what I saw of him in college.

I remember the Lions drafted a military guy a few years ago, but his service requirement wasn't waived and he wasn't able to play in the NFL.

I would think it would be pretty tough to play in the NFL after being away for 5 years.

Con_Alma;739176 wrote:I would think it would be pretty tough to play in the NFL after being away for 5 years.

I think very few players could pull that off.

After doing a bit of Wiki research, former NBA player David Robinson was only released from 3 years of that 5-year commitment. If a guy on his level couldn't get out of the whole thing, I doubt there's any way a far more anonymous football player has a chance.

That is 5 years OUT of college, correct?

If you walk the athletic facilities where the coaches offices are located the entire basketball wing continue to have his and his team displayed everywhere. He is the shining start the basketball team points to. His two year forgiveness of service time might very well be worth the opportunity costs the Naval Academy endured....but 5 years for Middleton?? No way. It's why I answered ernest t basses question with a no.

I have bee wrong before though and certainly could be on this one too.

ernest_t_bass;739240 wrote:That is 5 years OUT of college, correct?

Yes. They must serve a minimum of 5 years as an officer. I say minimum because if they have a service selection that requires specific training their service time will increase based on the level of additional training required.