Michigan State Football Captains Announced for 2026 Season

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Oh captain, my captain.

The Michigan State Spartans football team has announced its six captains ahead of the 2026 season, with the group highlighted by three defensive players, two offensive players and an Australian punter.

Being named a captain is one of the greatest accomplishments in sports. It shows the confidence that teammates and coaches have in a player and recognizes their ability to provide leadership and mentorship both on and off the field. These are the players everyone can look toward, including teammates, coaches and fans.

So, let’s get to the six captains.

Kenny Soares Jr.

No surprise here.

Soares was already awarded the No. 1 jersey after being named Mr. Spartan this year. A transfer portal addition from NC State, Soares was also recruited by Pat Fitzgerald during his days at Northwestern.

Soares exemplifies leadership, whether he’s on the field practicing or helping his teammates away from the action. His ability to lead and support everyone around him goes without saying.

He will be expected to not only serve as a vocal leader, but also show his abilities on the field as one of the Spartans’ top edge rushers this season.

Jordan Hall

Another captain selection that comes as no surprise.

Hall returns for his fourth year at Michigan State and knows exactly what it takes to be a Spartan. He has already been named to both the Dick Butkus Award and Bednarik Award watch lists.

He will be the leader of the defense and is now officially one of the leaders of the entire team while donning the captain’s “C.”

Nikai Martinez

A great human being that I had the pleasure of talking with at Big Ten Media Days, Martinez is chomping at the bit to get back on the field after an injury-plagued season last year and show everyone just how talented he is.

Martinez carries himself with the utmost composure, and it is no surprise that he is someone the rest of the team is willing to follow.

Now healthy and ready to make an impact, Martinez will enter the season as both a leader in the secondary and one of six players chosen to lead the Spartans.

Alessio Milivojevic

The quarterback of the Spartans was a no-brainer to be named a captain.

But after getting the chance to ask him a litany of questions at Media Day, you can see why the rest of the team, along with the coaching staff, believes so much in “Les.”

After earning the Spartans’ only conference win last season, expectations are high for the quarterback as he prepares to lead the team for an entire season.

Milivojevic has the confidence of his teammates, and he could become one of the surprise quarterbacks in the conference this year.

Trent Fraley

The starting center for Michigan State is another transfer portal addition.

Coming from North Dakota State, Fraley was a beast there and earned recognition as one of the top offensive linemen at his level of college football. His dad coaches the Detroit Lions’ offensive line, so you know punishing defenses runs in the Fraley blood.

Fraley puts his head down and mauls defenders at every opportunity, and his tenacity has clearly been noticed by his teammates.

Now, he will be one of the leaders of the Spartans’ offensive line and the entire football team.

Rhys Dakin

The punter coming over from Iowa with new special teams coach LeVar Woods is set to become the next punter at “Punter University.”

The last two Spartan punters have been drafted and are now putting together nice careers in the NFL.

Next up: Dakin.

The Australian punter has already earned the captain’s vote from his peers and will be looked upon to flip the field early and often. Field position and time of possession could be key parts of Michigan State’s game plan this season, making Dakin an important weapon for the Spartans.

The captains are officially here, and the team will set sail in just under two weeks. Michigan State’s first game against Toledo is scheduled for September 4.

The countdown to the 2026 season is officially on.

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