WALTHAM, Mass. – Six players, three from each side of the ball, have been named captains of the 2021 Bentley University football team, head coach Bill Kavanaugh announced.

The offensive captains, all seniors, will be quarterback Stephen Sturm (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley HS), wide receiver Austin Ryan (Foxborough/Foxboro HS) and right tackle Tim Leonard (Rumson, N.J./Rumson-Fairhaven HS).

The defensive players who'll serve as captains are defensive lineman Cedric Dashiell II (Buena Park, Calif./Buena Park HS) and defensive backs Jailen Branch (Randolph/Milton Academy) and Jack Scordato (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo HS). Scordato is a graduate student and both Branch and Scordato are seniors.

"In such a complicated year. we are thankful to be anchored by such great leadership," said Kavanaugh, whose team finished the 2019 season with a five-game winning streak before being sidelined last fall. "The 2021 captains represent everything that it means to be a Bentley football player.  This is a group of well-rounded student-athletes who inspire me and our entire team each and every day.  We believe our success is always linked to our quality of leadership and this group is as good as it gets."

Branch earned third-team All-Northeast-10 honors as a sophomore in 2019 after amassing 49 tackles, fourth on the team, in his first season as a starter. He also had 2.5 tackles for losses, six break-ups, a sack, an interception and a quarterback hurry.

"Jailen had an early impact on the field and has showed his leadership ability since day 1," praised Kavanaugh. "Jailen is a tireless worker, a great communicator and a true 'glue guy'."

Dashiell II had a standout sophomore season in 2019 as he was selected as a first-team All-Conference performer and to the New England Football Writers Division II-III All-New England team. He ranked in the top three in the NE10 in both sacks and tackles for losses, and has had 36 tackles in each of his first two seasons. Dashiell II closed out 2019 with at least one sack in each of the last five games.

"Another player who made early contributions on the field, Cedie's work ethic has always made him the pace setter on the d-line," said Kavanaugh, a former Falcon captain and defensive lineman, "He has always committed to improving his game and helping to improve his teammates as well."

Leonard, a second-team All-Northeast-10 performer as a junior in 2019, has made 26 consecutive starts for the Falcons, including every game during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

"Tim has been a fixture on the o-line for us during his career, said Kavanaugh. "Aside from being one our toughest players both physically and mentally, his consistency is admired."

Ryan, during the 2017 and 2019 seasons, accumulated 88 catches, 1,665 receiving yards, 19 touchdowns and an average of 19.6 yards per reception. As a freshman, he was on the receiving end of 16 TD catches, including four against Assumption in November 2017, a game in which he set a school record with 284 receiving yards. He earned a number of accolades, including Football Gazette Division II Rookie of the Year, Football Gazette Division II All-America and NE10 Rookie of the Year.

"Austin has made great contributions to our program in his career," said Kavanaugh. "After battling injuries, he has shown the entire team about perseverance.  Now fully healthy over the last 12 months Austin has been a true leader by example on the practice field.  His energy and tireless approach have been an example over the last year."

Scordato appeared in 23 games from 2017-19 and was in on a total of 32 tackles. That included 15 as a sophomore, with eight of those coming on kickoff return coverage.

"Jack has always knack for making big plays," said Kavanaugh. "Nobody has more fun playing football than Jack and his energy is contagious."

Sturm has started 23 of Bentley's last 24 games at quarterback with his career totals including 5,277 passing yards, a .609 completion percentage and 35 TD passes. He was selected first-team All-Northeast-10 in 2019 when led the conference in passing yards per game, total offense and completion percentage.

"Stephen has had an impact on the field since arriving to Bentley," commented Kavanaugh, the 2019 NE10 Coach of the Year. "His confidence and leadership have grown tremendously over the last two years.  His poise and demeanor make him successful.

"Our six captains have been recognized because of their actions over time," summarized Kavanaugh. "It gives me great confidence as a coach to entrust the leadership of the 2021 team to such a great group of men."