Penn State is looking to rely on veteran leadership on the roster in their attempt to correct the wrongs from the 2020 season. With a challenging 2021 football schedule on tap, beginning with a difficult road trip to Wisconsin in Week 1 as an underdog, Penn State hopes to get things off on the right foot,
The Nittany Lions named their team captains for the 2021 season on Monday, and upperclassman leadership was a consistent theme throughout. Safety Jaquan Brisker, defensive tackle PJ Mustipher, quarterback Sean Clifford, kicker and punter Jordan Stout, and safety Jonathan Sutherland were all named captains and are seniors on the team this season. Redshirt junior offensive lineman Rasheed Walker was also named a team captain for the 2021 Penn State Nittany Lions.
Clifford and Sutherland are now the first three-time captains in Penn State’s program history, a remarkable feat itself. Clifford will be the team’s starting quarterback for a third consecutive season. Sutherland should have opportunities on both defense and special teams this season. Sutherland became the first player in Penn State history to wear the No. 0 on his jersey in 2020 when the NCAA first allowed for the use of the uniform number to be worn by college football programs.
Here is a look at this year’s team captains for the Nittany Lions: