BYU announces 2023 Football Captains and Co-Captains

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake announced on Monday the eight team captains and 10 co-captains for the 2023 football season.

BYU announces 2023 Football Captains and Co-CaptainsBYU announces 2023 Football Captains and Co-Captains

PROVO, Utah — BYU head coach Kalani Sitake announced on Monday the eight team captains and 10 co-captains for the 2023 football season.

The captains and co-captains, voted on by the players, represent offense, defense and special teams and make up the team's leadership council. 

"I'm so proud of these captains and for our players for just confirming what we thought about this team," Sitake said. "Our players think highly of their teammates they voted for and it is a good sign that top to bottom we have great people to be the voice of our team. This group will meet regularly, have a responsibility to promote our culture and be caretakers of the relationship our team has with Cougar Nation. I feel really good about our leadership."

The eight captains on the offensive side include Maxwell Award watch list honoree, quarterback Kedon Slovis, Mackey Award candidate, tight end Isaac Rex, Rimington Trophy watch list honoree Connor Pay and Kingsley Suamataia, an Outland Trophy Watch list selection and All-Big 12 Preseason honoree. 

On defense, the captains feature Wuerffel Trophy watch list selection Tyler Batty and Butkus Award nominee, linebacker Ben Bywater. In addition to the two veterans, two new transfers also were selected in cornerback Eddie Heckard and linebacker AJ Vongphachanh.

Co Captains 1350

The co-captains will be punter Ryan Rehkow representing the specialists along with cornerback Jakob Robinson, safety Malik Moore, linebacker Max Tooley and Atunaisa Mahe on defense.

On offense, wide receivers Keanu Hill, Chase Roberts and Kody Epps, along with offensive lineman Paul Maile and running back Aidan Robbins will take on the leadership roles. 

BYU hosts Sam Houston on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 8:15 p.m. MT on FS1. 

"I'm so proud of these captains and for our players for just confirming what we thought about this team. Our players think highly of their teammates they voted for and it is a good sign that top to bottom we have great people to be the voice of our team. This group will meet regularly, have a responsibility to promote our culture and be caretakers of the relationship our team has with Cougar Nation. I feel really good about our leadership."

BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake on the leaders of the 2023 team