The Jacksonville Jaguars have nominated safety Rayuan Lane III for the NFL's 2026 Salute to Service Award, presented by USAA. The annual award recognizes players, coaches, staff members, and alumni who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to supporting U.S. military personnel, veterans and their families.
For Lane, that commitment extends beyond his involvement in the Jaguars' community outreach programs. The second-year safety graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 2025, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Since joining Jacksonville as a sixth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Lane has remained actively involved with service members, veterans, and military families throughout Northeast Florida.
As an officer in the Marine Corps, Lane has helped recruit and mentor prospective service members, including administering the Oath of Enlistment to future Marines during a Military Entrance Processing Station ceremony.
Congratulations to United States Marine Corps 2nd Lt. @rayuanlanelll, our 2026 NFL Salute to Service Award nominee! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/fnSOOdTdHR
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) November 5, 2026
He also visited Recruiting Sub Station Jacksonville Beach, where he delivered motivational remarks and answered questions about his military experiences. Lane has additionally participated in physical training activities with prospective Marines and local high school students preparing for boot camp.
Lane has also been involved with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), including helping welcome participants in the organization's Soldier Ride 250 to the Jaguars' practice facility for a dinner ahead of their cycling journey. He also visited WWP headquarters in September, in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, to learn more about the organization's programs supporting wounded veterans and service members.
He has also participated in Jaguars Salute to Service programming, including a movie night honoring active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families.
Lane's nomination comes just one day after he was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. In Jacksonville's 42-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8, Lane had three passes defended, a quarterback hit, and a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown. The interception return was the second-longest in Jaguars' franchise history and helped Jacksonville build a commanding 28-0 halftime lead.
The NFL's Salute to Service Award recognizes accomplishments away from the field, and Lane's ongoing military commitment makes his nomination particularly meaningful.
Fans can vote for Lane through the NFL's official website to help determine the award's three finalists, who will be announced in January 2027. The winner will be recognized during NFL Honors in February, ahead of Super Bowl LXI. USAA will contribute $25,000 in the recipient's name to military aid organizations, while the NFL Foundation will donate an additional $25,000 to a military non-profit selected by the winner.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars' Rayuan Lane III nominated for NFL Salute to Service Award
