The college football season is right around the corner. One of the final steps before entering the season is naming the Penn State captains. Saturday, August 19th, the team announced the six captains, all of which are deserving of the role. Penn State is a tough competitor in the Big Ten, and these captains will keep them fighting into potentially the college football playoffs. Here is a look at the 2023 Penn State captains and what leadership they bring to the team.
2023 Penn State Captains
For the first time in a while, there are no Penn State captains who are a quarterback. A camp battle is currently going on for the starting quarterback position, and either way, both are young athletes. Penn State will be a different team than fans have seen in the past after losing numerous players in the 2023 NFL Draft. This will require the 2023 captains to step up and be team leaders. Also to note, not every player has been with the team for more than three years, demonstrating the kind of leader they are off the field. Based on who was selected, there is no doubt that they will help this team succeed.
Penn State WR Keaton Ellis (2) – Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Keaton Ellis
The first of the Penn State captains is Keaton Ellis, a safety for the Nittany Lions. Ellis is entering his fifth year with the team and stepped up big time last year. While Ellis may not have been the safety that is known the most on the team this year, he is taking on a big leadership role. Clearly, Ellis will be a player to watch this season.
In the past four years, the safety has had 68 combined tackles, 46 of which were solo, three tackles for loss, and 12 pass deflections, according to Sports Reference. He also has had three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Last year, in the 2022 season, is when Ellis really stepped up, playing in all 13 games. This could be the season he steps up big time, especially as a leader on this defense.
Dominic Deluca
Linebacker Dominic Deluca has only played one season but was redshirted in 2021, never playing in a game. 2022 was his first season where he played in all 13 games. In those 13 games, the linebacker had 29 combined tackles, 18 of which were solo, and two tackles for loss, according to Sports Reference. He also had one sack and one pass deflection. Becoming one of the Penn State captains in 2023 demonstrates the type of player he already is. It will be fun watching Deluca play this season, especially on this Manny Diaz defense.
Penn State OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu – Joe Hermitt/PennLive/The Patriot-News
Olu Fashanu
Offensive lineman Olu Fashanu is definitely deserving of being one of the Penn State captains. Penn State may very well have the best offensive line in the Big Ten in 2023, and Fashanu is a huge reason why. Penn State lost their starting center to the NFL Draft but is fortunate to have Fashanu for another season. Fashanu’s heading into his junior year, which will be a big one for the Nittany Lions.
Malick Meiga
There are numerous questions regarding what the Penn State receiving core will be like in 2023. This did not stop wide receiver Malick Meiga from becoming one of the Penn State captains this season. Meiga joined the team in 2020, playing in seven games in 2021 and 12 games in 2022. In his two years of playing time, Meiga had just six receptions for 97 yards and one touchdown, according to Sports Reference. Six receptions and becoming a team captain demonstrate the kind of guy Meiga is.
While Meiga did not play much, there is a large chance fans will see him this season. Based on becoming a team captain, it is clear he is already doing something right with this offense.
Adisa Isaac
Defensive end Adisa Isaac is another player who has spent quite some time with the Nittany Lions. Isaac has been with the team since 2019, though he did not play in 2020. In 2022, Isaac played in all 13 games and had a solid season. In three years of playing with the team, Isaac had 55 combined tackles, 24 of which were solo, and 15.5 tackles for loss, according to Sports Reference. He also has had one forced fumble and seven sacks. Four of those sacks were in 2022. As one of the Penn State captains, Isaac will be exciting to watch this season.
Penn State TE Theo Johnson (84) – G Fiume/Getty Images
Theo Johnson
Tight end Theo Johnson is a clutch player, and based on how he plays on the field, it makes sense why he is one of the Penn State captains. Johnson has been with the team since 2020, and each season he gets better and better. Former Penn State tight end Brenton Strange is now in the NFL, giving Johnson more chances to receive. In his three seasons with the Nittany Lions, Johnson has had 43 receptions for 597 yards and five touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. Each season his average yards per reception has risen, and it will be exciting to watch him in 2023.
Each of these Penn State captains is deserving of the role. This is a young team who could use all the leadership they can get. The Nittany Lions are a strong team and will push to be the best in the Big Ten this year against tough competition. The season will begin September 3rd against West Virginia.
