Former-FBS offensive lineman Jaime (Hi-meh) Navarro comes aboard the 2025 Bay Area Panthers, which will be his rookie year in the Indoor Football League. Simply, the 6-foot-3, 315-pound tackle has both the tangibles and intangibles to succeed as a Panther.
Prior to arriving in the IFL, Navarro logged significant time at nearby San Jose State University. He was a mainstay along the offensive line for the Spartans from 2018 to 2023, seeing action in a school-record 59 games.
Navarro’s tenure with San Jose State featured 44 starts, appearing at both left and right tackle. Going forward, he offers that same versatility, flexibility and more.
“I'm more suited to be a guard, but I've always wanted to play center. I love the idea of being at the head of the train and navigating a group of men toward a goal,” Navarro shared with BayAreaPanthers.com.
He saw great team success at SJSU by way of three bowl-game appearances and a 2020 Mountain West championship win over Boise State University. From there, almost every O-line unit that Navarro was a part of ranked favorably in rushing and protecting the quarterback, especially the groups from 2020 and 2023.
Navarro graduated from San Jose State in 2023 with a degree in Communications.
Throughout his prep career, Navarro—a native of Temecula, CA—was a star athlete at Great Oak High School. In football, he dominated the line of scrimmage from both sides, even playing tight end for the Wolfpack. He was a team captain and two-time All-Southwestern League honoree.
Additionally, Navarro was a fierce track & field competitor at Great Oak, winning the 2018 CIF Southern Section title for shot put (59’11”).
Panthers Head Coach Rob Keefe is eager to work with Navarro in 2025, describing the former Spartan as “a well-disciplined offensive lineman with outstanding power, size, and technique. He has big-game experience and the traits and talent to thrive in professional football.”
Away from the game, Navarro works in the Bay Area’s sprawling technology industry. In his free time, he loves surfing, golfing and spending time with his girlfriend & family. He enjoys music from artists such as Dion, Elvis Presley and Louis Armstrong.
