Defense secretary: Navy's Reynolds, Swain can play in NFL

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:27 p.m. ET

foxsports

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) Defense Secretary Ashton Carter says former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds and fullback Chris Swain can defer their military service to play in the NFL.

Carter made the announcement Friday during his graduation speech to the academy in Annapolis.

As students cheered the news about their graduating classmates, Carter said: ''Go get'em.''

Reynolds was drafted in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens. He is the NCAA's career leader in touchdowns and finished his career with 88 TDs and 31 touchdown passes while leading Navy's triple-option offence. The Ravens plan to use him as a running back, receiver and kick returner.

Swain has signed with the San Diego Chargers.