AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn elected seniors Derick Hall, John Samuel Shenker and Owen Pappoe to lead the 2022 Tigers as captains, coach Bryan Harsin said Tuesday.
"Super proud of these guys to have an opportunity to lead our team," Harsin said. "Anything that comes from your peers and you get chosen to lead, I think that means something. All three are deserving of being in this position. All three are going to represent our program in a first-class manner."
Hall, a senior, registered nine sacks in 2021, including three in the Iron Bowl. In three seasons he's recorded 12.5 sacks among 17.5 tackles for loss.
"A blessing and an honor to be in this position to be selected by my peers as a team captain," Hall said. "For them to see fit for me to lead this team, it's a big role and big responsibility to represent not only this program but this university.
"Trying to take that next step every day. It's done by diligent hard work. Coming in every day and being consistent is huge."
A sixth-year senior, Shenker set program season records for tight ends with 33 receptions for 413 yards in 2021.
"What a blessing and a dream," Shenker said. "Growing up watching these games and seeing the guys who have been picked for this opportunity, it's truly special for me. The fact that our peers and our teammates chose this and wanted us to lead this team is an awesome feeling that we can't take for granted and a special opportunity."
Shenker was the John Mackey Award player of the week vs. LSU last season after making five catches for 102 yards, the first 100-yard game by an Auburn tight end since 1994. He decided to return for an extra season immediately after Auburn's bowl game.
"I was talking to Coach Harsin, I said, 'I'm coming back,'" said Shenker, who has totaled 45 career receptions for 540 yards and two touchdowns. "It's not for me, it's for Auburn. I think it was the reason a lot of us came back because we believe in Coach Harsin and what he has for this program. We're excited about it. That's the main reason we came back is to play behind Coach Harsin."
Pappoe captained the Tigers last season, becoming Auburn's first repeat captain since center Reese Dismukes in 2013-14.
"It means the world to me, especially because it's my second year straight," the senior linebacker said. "I want to thank my teammates for believing in me to help lead this team to go to the right place. I'm at a loss for words. I'm really excited about it."
Prior to an injury that limited him to five games in 2021, Pappoe made 93 tackles and four sacks as a sophomore in 2020.
"I know the defense like the back of my hand," Pappoe said. "Now I'm getting back in the groove of things, things are running smooth."
Each week Auburn will have an honorary captain who will join the permanent captains at midfield for the coin toss.
"They've been doing this since I've been here," said Harsin, embarking on his second season at Auburn. "These guys have really done a great job of leading this team."
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀@JsShenker@TheFreak@derick_hall9#WarEagle🦅 pic.twitter.com/iyJuRg2Aqw
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) August 23, 2022
🏈 Newly elected @AuburnFootball captains @derick_hall9, @JsShenker & @TheFreak at Tuesday's practice.
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) August 23, 2022
The Tiger trio will speak to reporters tonight, 11 days before the 2022 season commences. #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/hIFDueQNJk
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer