Rush, Annese, Dean, Bacci and Latta named football team captains
Central Michigan football captains were announced Friday in a tweet from head coach John Bonamego.
Quarterback Cooper Rush, senior safety Tony Annese, senior defensive lineman Jabari Dean, senior defensive lineman Kelby Latta and senior fullback Joe Bacci will serve as the team's 2016 captains.
Rush started every game for the Chippewas under center during the last two seasons and served as a captain in 2015.
The Lansing native was named to the Maxwell Award and Manning Award watch lists in the offseason, given to the best player and quarterback in the country, respectively. Rush threw for 3,848 yards and 25 touchdowns last season.
Annese started every game for CMU last season and led the team with two interceptions. His 84 tackles was the second-best mark on the team in 2015.
The 6-foot-1, 209-pound senior was named to the Jim Thorpe Preseason Watch List, given to the nation's best defensive back.
Dean has appeared in 25 games in the last two seasons for CMU and earned academic All-MAC honors last season.
Latta is a veteran defensive lineman, appearing in 10 games or more in each of the last three seasons for the Chippewas.
Bacci has appeared in every game over the last two seasons and scored three touchdowns in 2015.
CMU will kick off its season at 7 p.m. Sept. 1 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium against Presbyterian.
