For many Naval Academy football recruits, the first exposure they have to the school is through the recruiting process. It's only after months of talking to coaches and learning what USNA is all about that those players start to consider the possibility of four years in Annapolis.

That isn't the case for Nick Bernacchi. The son of a Navy officer, Bernacchi was already quite familiar with that the Naval Academy had to offer.

"My father is in the Navy," he said. "He went to Michigan, but growing up I always would hear about how the Naval Academy produces such great officers and how prestigious of a school it is. Even when I was younger, one of my dream schools was the Naval Academy."

That dream has become a reality, as Bernacchi gave his pledge to play football for the Midshipmen as part of their 2017 recruiting class.