Pentagon Clears Cameron Kinley

Defense secretary Lloyd Austin will allow Kinley to sign with the Buccaneers, attend training camp, and delay his naval commission. Kinley confirmed the news via Twitter.

This is welcome news for Kinley, an outstanding player at the Naval Academy, team captain, and president of his 1,084-member class. Initially, the Navy denied the request but today changed course. Kinley played a large role in the Midshipman’s 11-2 record in 2019 and played 27 games in Annapolis with 88 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, and a forced fumble at defensive back.

Kinley was removed from the Buccaneers roster following the original decision by the Navy. This was weighing heavily on Kinley and his grandfather noted, “He kept his composure … but I know it’s tearing him apart,” Lynn Reed, who spent 23 years in the Navy and retired as a chief, told ESPN. “It’s heartbreaking for me also.” It also meant he had to rejoin the team if they were still interested. Head Coach Bruce Arians, was impressed early on and said, “If he can get free by training camp we’d love to have him back,” Arians said in June. “He would miss a lot but he’s a very bright young man, so we’ll take him on to pick him back up.”

The Buccaneers have a loaded roster coming back to defend their Super Bowl title in 2021. Kinley is another possible piece that brings great instincts, ball skills, and most importantly, character. Even with long odds to make the team, these traits should help immensely in his transition to the NFL. Sometimes, getting an opportunity is all you can ask for in life. Kinley now has that opportunity with the Buccaneers. He hopes to go from representing the best of us to the best for the Buccaneers.

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