Colorado Buffaloes names captains for 2018 season

The Colorado Buffaloes have announced the captains for the 2018 season. There will be seven captains: Rick Gamboa, Kabion Ento, Jay MacIntyre, Juwann Winfree, Nick Fisher, Alex Kinney and Aaron Haigler.

Rick Gamboa is only returning capain from last season. Of the entire Colorado roster, the senior has by far the most experience, as he has started the last 37 games at inside linebacker. He has 292 career tackles, 19th in school history. Beyond being a force against the run, he’s a freak in the film room and has become the omnipresent brain of the defense. There’s no one more deserving of captain than Gamboa.

Gamboa is joined in the defense by Nick Fisher, the senior safety. Fisher didn’t start last season — he backed up 2017 captain Afolabi Laguda — but when he was on the field, his impact was felt considerably. In addition to his standout rush defense, he should be valuable to the Buffs as the leader of a promising secondary.

It’s fitting that the Buffs will have three of four offensive captains from the receiving corps. Wide receiver looks to be their deepest position and they have a trio of experienced (if unproven) players in Winfree, MacIntyre and Ento. Winfree will likely have the largest role of the bunch, but J-Mac and Ento should excel as role players.

Haigler is the fourth offensive representative. He will be an essential piece of what should be an improved offensive line. Coming into his junior season, he has started 15 games for the Buffs, which makes him the second most experience lineman after guard Tim Lynott. In the spring, Haigler won the Joe Romig Award for most improved offensive lineman, so he’s looking to break out in 2018. Of note, he’s the only non-senior to be captain.

Kinney is the nominal special teams captain. He has been Colorado’s punter for all four years he has been on campus. He came to CU to replace the always amazing Darragh O’Neill, and despite having a rough start to his career, he has exceed all expectations. As a recognition of his hard work and consistency, he’s a great captain to have.

The most notable omission on the captain list is junior quarterback Steven Montez.