WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- Monmouth University head football coach Kevin Callahan announced the 2007 team captains on Wednesday afternoon.
For the defense, seniors Ayo Falae (Newark, N.J./Barringer) and T.J. Cerezo (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) were chosen while fifth-year seniors Jonathan Dunn (Blackwood, N.J./Washington Twp.) and Adam San Miguel (North Bergen, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) will serve as captains for the offense. Members of the team voted for the captains.
“We will be a relatively young team in 2007, and the leadership provided by our captains will be one of the keys to our success,” said head coach Kevin Callahan. “These four players have worked very hard for the honor of leading our team, and I am confident that they will do well.”
Falae and Cerezo are the only two returning starters from one of the nation's most dominant defenses of a year ago. Falae is slated to start for the second straight year at cornerback, where he recorded 48 tackles, a pass break up, an interception and a blocked kick. Cerezo, an outside linebacker, started in all 12 games last season for Monmouth, recording 32 tackles and a fumble recovery. The two players have a combined 42 games of playing experience, with 24 starts between them.
San Miguel returns as one of the conference's top receivers, one year after earning First Team All-NEC honors. The First Team All-League selection led the league in receptions (setting a new MU record) and receiving yards, while also tying the school record for punt return yardage in a season. Dunn, who returns for a fifth-year, will anchor an offensive line that lost just two starters from last year's NEC Championship squad. Dunn has 20 starts under his belt and 30 total games played for the Blue & White. The fifth year senior earned Football Gazette First Team All-Offense and First Team All-NEC after the Hawks allowed just 13 sacks in 12 games last season.
The Hawks recently wrapped up 15 days of spring practice which culminated in the annual Blue/White Spring Game. Monmouth will travel to Orono, Maine, to take on the University of Maine in the 2007 season opener on Sept. 1st.
