Penn State Football: Nittany Lions name captains for 2016

Penn State head coach James Franklin announced a trio of team captains for the 2016 season.

Center Brian Gaia, linebacker Brandon Bell, and special teamer Von Walker were named to captain the 2016 Penn State Nittany Lions. This will be Walker’s second consecutive year as captain.

During an interview with gopsusports.com, head coach James Franklin praised the three captains for the 2016 season. “These captains are proven leaders on and off the field and have been outstanding representatives of our program,” Franklin said. “These are guys that have our program’s best interest in mind and they bring us together as a group.”

Gaia enters the season as the only lineman to start every game in 2015. He also moves from guard to center, looking to be a force in the middle of the line and pave the way for running back Saquon Barkley.

Related Story: Can Nittany Lion's D-Line Shine in 2016?

He has been a member of both the Penn State offense and defense, transitioning to the offensive line after his redshirt freshman year. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection as well, Gaia has played 25 games on the offensive line as he enters his senior season.

Leading the defense for the Nittany Lions is Brandon Bell who started 11 games last season. He recorded 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks during his 2015 campaign. He also finished sixth in the Big Ten with three forced fumbles.

must read: Top 25 Breakout Players of 2016

Walker returns as the special teams captain for the second straight year. In 2015, Walker made two starts on defense and appeared in all 13 of Penn State’s games. Last season he finished with 10 total tackles, a forced fumble, and a blocked kicked. He was also awarded 2015 Academic All-Big Ten honors.

Penn State opens their season against Kent State on September 3.