Eastern Kentucky University has announced its six football captains for the 2026 season, a distinction the school regards as one of the most prestigious honors a player can earn.
Junior linebacker Kaden Smith headlines the list, earning a spot on the Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List and being named the United Athletic Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after a standout defensive season.
A New Era of Leadership
Senior running back Brayden Latham brings a different kind of leadership, having topped the Colonels with 667 rushing yards and three touchdowns last year and collecting Preseason All‑UAC honors in the process.
The captaincy group also includes wide receiver Jackson House, who made a 55‑yard catch against Abilene Christian, defensive back Jeffrey Kinley, who logged eight tackles in the secondary during 2025, sophomore linebacker Cam Jessee, who aims to continue his family’s football legacy, and offensive lineman Antonio Gaines, a fifth‑year starter who began 10 games for the Colonels in 2025.
The Colonels open the 2026 season on August 29 against Western Carolina, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and a live stream on ESPN+.
Fans can expect a competitive debut as the team travels to Richmond, Kentucky, before heading to Gadsden, Alabama, for a non‑conference test, setting the stage for a promising campaign.