Gophers name 2017 football team captains

December 2, 2016 at 3:11AM

Gophers football coach Tracy Claeys named three co-captains for the 2017 season, picking linebacker Jonathan Celestin, tight end Brandon Lingen and running back Rodney Smith.

Celestin leads the Gophers with 79 tackles, heading into the bowl game. Lingen is a co-captain this year but has missed most of the season with injuries.

Smith leads the team and ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 1,084 rushing yards.

Celestin and Smith were teammates at Mundy's Mill High School in Jonesboro, Ga., before coming to Minnesota. Lingen hails from Wayzata.

The Gophers (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) will learn their bowl destination and opponent on Sunday.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

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