Hackenberg, 6 others named Penn State cocaptains

Quarterback Christian Hackenberg is the first sophomore to be named a Penn State football captain.

Hackenberg was among seven Nittany Lions who were elected cocaptains by their teammates and the coaching staff, coach James Franklin said Wednesday.

The defensive cocaptains are senior linebacker Mike Hull and senior defensive end C.J. Olaniyan. Joining Hackenberg as an offensive cocaptain is senior guard Miles Dieffenbach. The special-teams cocaptains are senior safeties Jesse Della Valle and Ryan Keiser, and senior placekicker Sam Ficken.

"These players have clearly earned the respect of their teammates and coaches," Franklin said.

The seven cocaptains are tied for the most in Penn State's 128 years of varsity football with the 1976 squad coached by Joe Paterno.