2024 Bucknell Football Team Captains Announced
4/22/2024 1:22:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell head football coach Dave Cecchini announced Sunday during the team's Spring Game that linebacker Brad Jamison, offensive lineman John Ohnegian, safety Alex Smith Jr. and offensive lineman Casey Stephenson will serve as team captains for the 2024 season. The captains were voted on by their peers.
"Great leadership starts first with leading by example," said Cecchini. "All four of these men have done outstanding jobs of doing just that, and I am looking forward to seeing the impact their leadership will have on our football team in our quest for a Patriot League championship."
Stephenson will serve as a captain for a second season in a row, as he returns for a fifth year in 2024. He becomes just the 12th multi-year captain in program history and is the first since Alex Pechin in 2018 and 2019. The Philadelphia, Pa. native has been a regular starter on the offensive line over his career but has missed time for injury, including the entire 2021 campaign. He has made 18 starts, including nine at left guard in 2023. Stephenson was Bucknell's 2023 recipient of the C. Dale Wolfe Recognition Award as the most inspirational player.
Jamison, who is entering his senior season, was a Second Team All-Patriot League selection in 2023 after starting all 11 games at Mike linebacker and finishing sixth in the Patriot League with 7.0 tackles per game. The Upper Township, N.J. native made 5.5 tackles for loss and added three sacks, three pass breakups and an interception. He's played in 32 games overall in his career and was the recipient of Bucknell's Clarke Hinkle Award last fall as the team's most outstanding defensive back or linebacker.
Ohnegian will be the lone junior captain next season. He started all 11 games at center in 2023 and earned the John Campana Award as Bucknell's most outstanding offensive lineman. A native of Ramsey, N.J., Ohnegian jumped into the starting role after receiving Scout Team Player of the Year recognition as a rookie. He was a member of the 2023 Academic All-Patriot League Team last season.
Smith started all 11 games last season and has played in every game during his career. The Charlotte, N.C. native is one of just two juniors that have played in all 33 of the Bison's games over the last three seasons. Smith finished fourth on the roster with 56 tackles in 2023 and has totaled 15 passes defended during his career. He also grabbed his fourth career interception in the fall after registering three during his sophomore season.
Season tickets for Bucknell's 2024 season will go on sale Wednesday, May 1 and will be available for purchase at the Bucknell Campus Box Office.
