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N.J. player named one of 3 Penn State captains

Senior linebacker Brandon Bell, who starred at Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing, N.J., is one of three Penn State players who have been voted as team captains for the 2016 season. Bell joins two other seniors, center Brian Gaia and linebacker Von Walker, as captains.

Senior linebacker Brandon Bell, who starred at Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing, N.J., is one of three Penn State players who have been voted as team captains for the 2016 season. Bell joins two other seniors, center Brian Gaia and linebacker Von Walker, as captains.

Bell, of Mays Landing, started 11 games last season and finished fifth on the team with 65 tackles. He recorded 51/2 sacks and 121/2 tackles for loss while ranking sixth in the Big Ten with three forced fumbles.

Gaia, a converted defensive tackle from Pasadena, Md., started all 13 games at guard last season, the only offensive lineman with that many starts. He has moved to center this season. Walker, of Mill Hall, Pa., is an excellent special teams player who is a team captain for the second straight year.

"These captains are proven leaders on and off the field and have been outstanding representatives of our program," head coach James Franklin said.