Eastern Kentucky University head football coach Walt Wells announced the team captains for the 2024 season on Friday night, ahead of the Colonels’ season opener on August 31 against Mississippi State.
This year’s captains are Payton Collins, Matt Morrissey, Patrick Nations, Mike Smith Jr., Kyle Kelly, Ryan Jackson, and John Stone.
“What an honor for these men to be selected by their peers to be captains,” Wells said. “It is a great responsibility that I know each will handle greatly. Congratulations to them all.”
On the offensive side, Collins and Stone earned their captaincies as key members of the offensive line. Both players started every game for EKU in 2023, helping the team lead the United Athletic Conference (UAC) with 437.4 yards per game, totaling 4,811 yards of offense and 37 touchdowns.
Joining them is quarterback Matt Morrissey, a graduate transfer from Western Illinois who was recently named EKU’s starting quarterback. Morrissey was an honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection in 2023.
Defensively, Kyle Kelly, Ryan Jackson, and preseason All-American Mike Smith Jr. were named captains.
Kelly, a linebacker from Newport, Ky., played in all 11 games in 2023, recording three pass breakups and 47 total tackles. Jackson, a defensive lineman entering his fifth season with the Colonels, started all 11 games last year, amassing 36 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss.
Smith, a defensive back, continues to rack up accolades, adding the captaincy to his recent inclusion on the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist. In 2023, he tied for the most passes defended in the UAC with 13, including two interceptions.
Rounding out the captains is specialist Patrick Nations, a preseason All-UAC selection. Nations led the nation in field goals per game last season, converting 19-of-25 attempts across 11 games in 2023.
