AUBURN — Bryan Harsin has named Auburn football's three permanent team captains for the 2022 season: linebacker Owen Pappoe, tight end John Samuel Shenker and edge defender Derick Hall.
Pappoe is a repeat captain after earning the title in 2021 but missing most of SEC play with a lower body injury. The senior has 165 career tackles over the last three seasons, highlighted by 93 in 2020.
He's the fourth two-time captain in program history
"It's been a ride, man," Pappoe said. "Biggest thing is just staying strong mentally. It's taxing not being able to play the game that you love. Really it's just attacking rehab every day, trying to get back and become more of a student of the game. I'm not out there physically, so I'm coaching up the guys who don't have that much experience. Show them the plays, make sure they're executing right."
Shenker chose to return for his extra year of eligibility after a senior season with 33 catches and 413 yards – both all-time records for an Auburn tight end. He says he told Harsin of his plans to return as the team was walking off the field after the Birmingham Bowl last December. A defeat against Houston had capped a five-game losing streak to end the season.
“I told him, ‘I’m coming back, and it’s not for me, it’s for Auburn,'" Shenker said. "I believe in what (Harsin) does. I think that was the reason a lot of us came back is because we believe in Coach Harsin and what he has for this program."
Hall was tied for third in the SEC with nine sacks. He and Shenker were two of the most outspoken players in defense of Harsin when the coach faced a university inquiry in February.
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Auburn football team captains: last 5 years
2021: Owen Pappoe, LB; Chandler Wooten, LB.
2020: Big Kat Bryant, DL; K.J. Britt, LB; Bo Nix, QB
2019: Derrick Brown, DL; Marlon Davidson, DL; Jeremiah Dinson, S; Daniel Thomas, S.
2018: Deshaun Davis, LB; Ryan Davis, WR; Jarrett Stidham, QB.
2017: Austin Golson, OL; Braden Smith, OL; Tre' Williams, LB.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Who are Auburn football's team captains in 2022-23 season?