Buffs select team captains

Eastern Wash. Eagle Dale Moris is tripped up CU Buff and newly-named co-captain Jeff Smart, as the two teams clash at Folsom Field last season. (CU Independent/William Drumm)

Linebackers Jeff Smart and Marcus Burton, and tight end Riar Geer, are the new captains for the Colorado Buffaloes football team.

Head coach Dan Hawkins announced the news on Sunday.

The three captains have a lot in common aside from their title. They are all fifth-year seniors, three-year lettermen and were atop the depth chart of their respective positions.

“The leadership throughout this team is really outstanding, so it says something special for these three to be selected by their peers to be at the top of that list,” said Hawkins in a news release. “All three of these guys have grown and developed their way into being in this position, so it’s a well-earned reward on their parts and will handle the responsibilities that come with it well.”

Smart is the first captain who grew up in Boulder since linebacker Barry Remington served in the same capacity in 1985 and 1986. Geer is from Grand Junction and is the first player from the area to be named captain since 1964. Burton’s selection marks the sixth straight year a player with Texas roots will serve as a captain.

Coincidentally, all three players were selected by Hawkins last month to attend the Big 12 Conference Football Media Day at the brand new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Cheng Sio at [email protected].