Eastern Michigan Athletics

Eastern Michigan Football Names 2026 Team Captains
5/19/2026 10:29:00 AM | Football
EMU opens the season Saturday, Aug. 29, versus Sacramento State
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan University Head Football Coach Chris Creighton and the football program announced the five team captains for the 2026 season.
The group includes offensive lineman Nicholas Gallegos (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley), defensive lineman Makhi Gilbert (Phenix City, Ala./Central/Samford), quarterback Noah Kim (Centreville, Va./Westfield/Michigan State/Coastal Carolina), defensive back Bryce Llewellyn (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral/Charleston Southern), and linebacker Zach Mowchan (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York).
"Our team and staff have done a great job in choosing our 2026 team captains," said Creighton. "This group will work really well together and covers all areas of our team. These guys know and understand what being ETOUGH is all about. We are all excited for this summer to get rolling."
Kim enters his second season as a captain after an impressive 2025 campaign in which he started all 12 games and earned the E Gridiron Group Newcomer of the Year award for his offensive performance. He completed 247-of-402 passes for 2,817 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 186 rushing yards and six rushing scores.
Llewellyn earns captain honors after anchoring the defense in 2025. He led EMU with 103 total tackles, added 5.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions, earned All-MAC Second Team recognition, and was named the John E. Borowiec Award recipient as the team's most valuable defensive player.
Mowchan, a veteran presence at linebacker, continued to provide steady production and leadership in 2025. He played in nine games with five starts and totaled 43 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. The 2026 season marks Mowchan's second consecutive season as a captain.
Gilbert adds a powerful voice to the captain group after a strong first season in the program. The senior from Phenix City, Ala., played in five games with four starts in 2025 and recorded 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and two quarterback hurries.
Gallegos rounds out the group after serving as a steady force on the offensive line. In 2025, he played in all 12 games, starting nine, and helped protect an Eagles passing attack that averaged 230 yards per game.
Season tickets for the 2026 Eastern Michigan football season are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at EMUEagles.com/Tickets or by calling 734.487.3669.
The group includes offensive lineman Nicholas Gallegos (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley), defensive lineman Makhi Gilbert (Phenix City, Ala./Central/Samford), quarterback Noah Kim (Centreville, Va./Westfield/Michigan State/Coastal Carolina), defensive back Bryce Llewellyn (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral/Charleston Southern), and linebacker Zach Mowchan (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York).
"Our team and staff have done a great job in choosing our 2026 team captains," said Creighton. "This group will work really well together and covers all areas of our team. These guys know and understand what being ETOUGH is all about. We are all excited for this summer to get rolling."
Kim enters his second season as a captain after an impressive 2025 campaign in which he started all 12 games and earned the E Gridiron Group Newcomer of the Year award for his offensive performance. He completed 247-of-402 passes for 2,817 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 186 rushing yards and six rushing scores.
Llewellyn earns captain honors after anchoring the defense in 2025. He led EMU with 103 total tackles, added 5.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions, earned All-MAC Second Team recognition, and was named the John E. Borowiec Award recipient as the team's most valuable defensive player.
Mowchan, a veteran presence at linebacker, continued to provide steady production and leadership in 2025. He played in nine games with five starts and totaled 43 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. The 2026 season marks Mowchan's second consecutive season as a captain.
Gilbert adds a powerful voice to the captain group after a strong first season in the program. The senior from Phenix City, Ala., played in five games with four starts in 2025 and recorded 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and two quarterback hurries.
Gallegos rounds out the group after serving as a steady force on the offensive line. In 2025, he played in all 12 games, starting nine, and helped protect an Eagles passing attack that averaged 230 yards per game.
Season tickets for the 2026 Eastern Michigan football season are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at EMUEagles.com/Tickets or by calling 734.487.3669.
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