Ohio University’s head coach John Hauser has named the 2026 football captains, a quartet of seniors who will guide the Bobcats into a new season.
The Captains
Nick Poulos, the quarterback who transferred in 2024 and is now entering his third year, will direct the offense after his debut start against Kentucky, where he completed eight passes for 110 yards and added 25 rushing yards.
DJ Walker, a returning captain, started all 13 games in 2025 and earned preseason watch‑list recognition on both the Paycom Jim Thorpe and Chuck Bednarik Award lists, highlighting his status as one of the conference’s top safeties.
Defensive Leader
Jack Fries, a redshirt senior linebacker, brings a blend of production and scholarship excellence, having recorded 54 tackles in 2025, including three for loss, and earning Academic All‑MAC honors in each of the past two seasons.
Duncan Brune, a junior running back, paced the team with 585 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, highlighted by a 100‑yard effort against Northern Illinois that produced two scores.
The captains come from a spread of locales — Granite Bay in California, Aliquippa in Pennsylvania, Cincinnati in Ohio, and Cologne in Germany — reflecting the program’s expanding reach.
Together they embody a mix of seasoned leadership and emerging talent, setting a tone that the Bobcats hope will translate into a competitive campaign against conference rivals.