Non-PSU Recruiting

Scu88

Redshirt
Oct 11, 2021
5
18
3
That’s what I thought to both, which makes the original post not credible. Thanks.
Yes, this is actually possible. If he is in the navy now, the academy has a sizeable % of each class come from existing enlisted ranks - I’m guessing 15% or so. And he would still have eligibility. But he’d have to hack it academically too. Not saying its going to happen, but its certainly possible.
 

El_Jefe

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2021
1,540
4,327
113
Yes, this is actually possible. If he is in the navy now, the academy has a sizeable % of each class come from existing enlisted ranks - I’m guessing 15% or so. And he would still have eligibility. But he’d have to hack it academically too. Not saying its going to happen, but its certainly possible.
Could he enroll at a college with an NROTC program? It wouldn't require a Congressional commendation.

All of this assumes Jesuroga wants to both attend college and compete in folk. He might want to go strictly freestyle. Or remain retired.
 

Scu88

Redshirt
Oct 11, 2021
5
18
3
Could he enroll at a college with an NROTC program? It wouldn't require a Congressional commendation.

All of this assumes Jesuroga wants to both attend college and compete in folk. He might want to go strictly freestyle. Or remain retired.
The process for enlisted joining USNA does not require a congressional nomination, but - yes, there are officer commissioning programs within the navy. One path does include transfer to an NROTC program. The STA-21 program (Seaman to Admiral) is one that has this route. But it is highly competitive, and I’m not sure it would ever be used for athletic reasons.
 

Scu88

Redshirt
Oct 11, 2021
5
18
3
If Nate wants to compete he would be at Navy with Kolat. They would make it happen
I don’t know Corby. They wouldnt just “make it happen”. He would have to be academically capable, and the process for enlisted joining USNA is very competitive. I’m sure athletes get some benefit in the process, but I don’t think they would send him there if he wasnt prepared to complete the process and commission with his class.
 

AndEEss

Redshirt
Jun 12, 2020
19
43
13
If Nate wants to compete he would be at Navy with Kolat. They would make it happen

No, a wrestling coach does not have that kind of pull. If his superiors aren't willing to make that recommendation on his behalf or he isn't meeting USNA standards, he isn't getting in.

Truth be told, I was always perplexed by the idea of a relatively small person trying out for the SEAL teams. It's literally the one special operations element where being big is very helpful, and being smaller makes it a lot, lot harder. The 75th, SF and other SOF elements have plenty of small dudes and I'm surprised he went this route.
 

Col

Redshirt
Oct 17, 2021
10
38
13
Could he enroll at a college with an NROTC program? It wouldn't require a Congressional commendation.

All of this assumes Jesuroga wants to both attend college and compete in folk. He might want to go strictly freestyle. Or remain retired.
ROTC is not an option until his enlistment is over. However, if recommended and accepted, he could go to the Naval Preparatory School (https://www.usna.edu/NAPS/index.php) for a year to make sure he is academically ready for the Academy. One confusing point is that the Navy could release him from his enlistment in order to go to NROTC or he could be transferred to the reserves and attend college and go to NROTC (the second method is the more common)
 
Last edited:

Corby2

Senior
Jul 14, 2025
250
469
63
ROTC is not an option until his enlistment is over. However, if recommended and accepted, he could go to the Naval Preparatory School (https://www.usna.edu/NAPS/index.php) for a year to make sure he is academically ready for the Academy. One confusing point is that the Navy could release him from his enlistment in order to go to NROTC or he could be transferred to the reserves and attend college and go to NROTC (the second method is the more common)
And why I said they would make it happen. They've a few options.
 

SleepyLion

All-Conference
Sep 1, 2022
2,050
2,803
113
And why I said they would make it happen. They've a few options.
Your post reference to Nate and Kolat and then "they", which most people took "they" to mean Nate and Kolat not the USNA brass.
Other than desire, Nate and Kolat have very little to do with the decision.
 

PUR158

Sophomore
Feb 11, 2025
65
144
33
Being accepted into the Naval Academy is 100% about future midshipmen wanting to earn their commission. The selection board has a process in place that takes out any and all bias. Enlisted Sailors submitting a package for the Academy, absolutely zero influence from athletics.

Sailors that wash out before or during BUDs go undesignated and often take 6 to 18 months to pick a rate (their job). From their they need competitive evaluations and have to be **** hot for their CO to sign off on a package. Enlisted Sailors that apply are at a minimum 3-4 years in before attempting this. His best bet, serve his enlistment, get out and use his GI bill, then walk on somewhere.
 
Last edited:

Corby2

Senior
Jul 14, 2025
250
469
63
Your post reference to Nate and Kolat and then "they", which most people took "they" to mean Nate and Kolat not the USNA brass.
Other than desire, Nate and Kolat have very little to do with the decision.
Yep I probably confused them with the wording. Nate has 1 more year and he will be done with his commitment to Navy. He could then go anywhere he wants.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Col

BigFella235

Sophomore
Aug 13, 2021
47
167
33
I’m not sure why, but Nate shooting for the SEALs right out of high school strikes me as a bit too ambitious. Yeah, he’s a high level athlete, but becoming a SEAL is no joke. The vast majority of guys in each class wash out and a lot of them are in elite shape when they go. Heck, a HS teammate of mine ended up becoming a SEAL. But that was after he graduated from Annapolis and had spent some time establishing himself as an officer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WEAREPSU_LI

PUR158

Sophomore
Feb 11, 2025
65
144
33
A randomly large amount of Nate Jesuroga talk here.

Of course he comes from the legendary Sebolt Academy! The best club in America™
The purpose was served....enough to get the following conversation started on HR

"Heard Jesuroga is wrestling again....any chance he would go to Iowa?"

"I don't know, he weighs 160 now but is thinking about wrestling in an open tournament"

"What a great get this would be, a future 133 stud at lightweight U!"
 

Corby2

Senior
Jul 14, 2025
250
469
63
The purpose was served....enough to get the following conversation started on HR

"Heard Jesuroga is wrestling again....any chance he would go to Iowa?"

"I don't know, he weighs 160 now but is thinking about wrestling in an open tournament"

"What a great get this would be, a future 133 stud at lightweight U!"
Since he's been to RTC practices I imagine Iowa already knows. The poster obviously read something here and took it there. And obviously Kolat if aware of the situation. This has been going on since the summer it's not new
 

PUR158

Sophomore
Feb 11, 2025
65
144
33
That interview was rough. If he wants to commission solely to make a “lot more money”, he should consider other forms of employment.
It is unfortunate. Recruiters sell these kids on BUDs, the majority never make it out of the their 800 division for recruits with Special Operations Contracts at Boot Camp. They then get rolled into a regular division and graduate Boot as an undesignated Seaman or Airman.

Recruits are told this going in but it is spun as "Hey if that happens, you can pick whatever job you want". The reality is you end up on the Deck crew on a carrier for 4 years and are lost in the shuffle. The dream they had and why they wanted to join is broken, the majority of these Sailors just drift through their enlistment. I have seen that face a hundred times walking the decks, they want to "put in an officer package" to get out of the every day. It is a broken part of the recruiting and Sailor development process, more resources and good leadership are needed to invest and help these Sailors.
 
Last edited: