Josh McNary
Joshua Aaron McNary is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League. He played college football for the Army Black Knights, and signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
High school career
McNary played football at Clear Lake High School in Houston. Going into his senior season the team was short on defensive linemen and he was a backup strong safety. With the defensive line coach, Michael Boone, looking for athletic players to fill the positions that were open, he asked to work with McNary and converted him to nose guard. McNary was an all-district selection for the nose guard position. Even though he led the team in sacks, he was not offered any scholarships because he only played defensive line for one season and lacked the ideal size for the college level.College career
McNary finished his career at the United States Military Academy as Army's all-time leader in sacks and tackles for loss, while adding 195 tackles, nine passes defensed, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He is the only player in school history to record two double-digit sack seasons, and also held school records for the most sacks in a single game and a single season.As a senior in 2010, McNary capped off his career by returning a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown in the Black Knights’ 16–14 victory over SMU in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. The win gave Army its first winning season since 1996 and first postseason victory since the 1985 Peach Bowl. McNary was one of five finalists for the 2010 Burlsworth Trophy, which honors the most-outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on. He was also on the preseason watch lists for the 2010 Lombardi and Nagurski awards, and was a semifinalist for the 2010 Lott IMPACT Trophy, which is presented to the nation's top defensive player.
Following his senior year, McNary was honored with the 2011 East-West Shrine Game Pat Tillman Award, given to the player who best exemplifies character, intelligence, sportsmanship, and service.
Professional career
Indianapolis Colts
McNary served two years of active military service and on April 10, 2013, the Indianapolis Colts signed him to a free-agent contract. McNary was placed on the Reserve/Military List but on July 30, 2013 was moved to the active roster and joined the team in training camp. McNary did not survive 53-man roster cuts to start the season, but immediately returned to the team, being signed to Indianapolis' practice squad. That is where McNary would stay for 12 weeks. During the beginning of the week before the Colts' Week 13 matchup with division rival Tennessee, McNary was elevated for the first time to the Colts' active 53-man roster.On September 6, 2015, McNary was signed to the Colts' practice squad. He appeared in 13 games for the Colts in 2015 before being placed on injured reserve on December 29.