Penn State's season opener against the West Virginia Mountaineers is less than 24 hours away and on Friday morning the Nittany Lions announced their trio of game captains for Saturday's matchup. Senior tight end Tyler Warren, senior safety Jaylen Reed, and redshirt junior long snapper Tyler Duzansky were named the game captains for the Nittany Lions. Notably, none of the three were voted team captains for Penn State this fall.

Warren is entering his fourth year of the program and recently was called by James Franklin the 'most complete tight end in the country'. The Virginia native is coming off a career season in which he recorded 34 receptions for 422 yards and seven touchdowns. He returns in 2024 as Penn State's starting tight end and is expected to be among the best in the country at his position.

Reed, a senior out of Detroit will be one of Penn State's three starting safeties this year, manning the 'LION' position in defensive coordinator Tom Allen's defense. In 2023, Reed was an All-Big Ten honorable mention after starting all 13 games at safety for Penn State and recording 46 tackles including four tackles for loss, one sack, and two interceptions.

Duzanky, a redshirt junior from Illinois, will be Penn State's primary long snapper for the second straight season. He led the nation in tackles by a long snapper last season with six.

Leading by Example

While the Nittany Lions' six team captains will lead the team for the entire season, the game captains will provide an extra layer of leadership during each game. This is especially important for a season opener, where the team is looking to set the tone for the rest of the year.

The game captains are chosen by the coaching staff and are usually based on a combination of seniority, experience, and leadership qualities. This year, Penn State's coaching staff clearly felt that Warren, Reed, and Duzansky were the best choices to lead the team against West Virginia.

A Look at the Game Captains

Tyler Warren

Warren is a clear choice to be a game captain. He is a veteran player who has been a consistent contributor for the Nittany Lions for the past three seasons. He is also a leader on and off the field, and he is respected by his teammates. Warren's experience and leadership will be valuable assets to the Nittany Lions in their season opener.

Jaylen Reed

Reed is another veteran player who has been a starter for the Nittany Lions for the past two seasons. He is a physical and aggressive player who is also a vocal leader on the defense. Reed's experience and leadership will be crucial for the Nittany Lions in their season opener against a tough West Virginia team.

Tyler Duzansky

Duzansky is a less obvious choice to be a game captain, but he is a valuable asset to the Nittany Lions. He is a reliable long snapper who is also a hard worker and a good teammate. Duzansky's experience and reliability will be important for the Nittany Lions in their season opener.

Importance of Game Captains

Game captains play an important role in helping to lead the team on the field. They are responsible for motivating their teammates, making sure that everyone is on the same page, and communicating with the coaching staff.

The game captains are also responsible for setting the tone for the game. They need to make sure that their teammates are playing with energy and intensity, and that they are prepared to face the challenges ahead.

What's Next for Penn State?

Penn State will need all of its captains to be at their best in their season opener against West Virginia. The Mountaineers are a tough opponent, and the Nittany Lions will need to be ready to play their best football from the start.

The game will be played at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia, on Saturday, September 7th at 12:00 PM ET. The game will be televised on FOX.