The Dayton Flyers football team has named five captains for the 2026 season, marking the highest number in school history. Among the captains are Ben Huefner, a redshirt senior offensive lineman, and Mirko Jaksic, a redshirt junior defensive tackle.
Apr. 14āThe Dayton Flyers football team named five captains for the 2026 season at the annual spring game Sunday, April 12, at Welcome Stadium.
Five captains is the most in school history. In coach Trevor Andrews' first three seasons, Dayton had four captains (2023), two (2024) and three (2025). Over the years, Dayton has named three captains in most seasons.
Here's a look at the captains:
Ben Huefner: He will be a redshirt senior offensive lineman in the 2026 season. Huefner is a graduate of Olentangy Liberty in Powell. He was a co-captain last season and will be the first two-time captain since Jake Chisholm (2021 and 2022). He appeared in eight games while battling injuries. He redshirted as a freshman in 2022 and then started three games in each of the next two seasons.
Mirko Jaksic: A defensive tackle from Norridge, Ill., and Fenwick High School, he will be a redshirt junior. He made the PFL first team last season, recording 33 tackles, including 6 1/2 for a loss. He redshirted in 2023 and appeared in 10 games in 2024.
Gavin Lochow: A wide receiver from Proctorville, Ohio, and Huntington High School in West Virginia, he will be a senior in the 2026 season. He made the All-Pioneer Football League first team last season. He also won the White Allen team MVP award. He caught 61 passes for 731 yards and eight touchdowns. He has 161 career receptions, which ranks second in UD history behind Adam Trautman (178).
Sam Schmiesing: The linebacker from Piqua High School will be a redshirt junior. He ranked second on the team with 80 tackles last season. He redshirted as a freshman in 2023 and has appeared in 11 games over the last two seasons. His brother Ben was a team captain in 2022.
Bryce Schondelmyer: The Springfield High School graduate from Brookville will be a redshirt junior. He earned the starting quarterback job in his first season at Dayton after not seeing action in two seasons at Youngstown State. He threw 16 touchdown passes in seven games before suffering a season-ending injury.
Dayton finished 7-4 last season. It opens the 2026 season at noon on Aug. 29 against Fairmont State at Welcome Stadium.
The captains for the Dayton Flyers football team in 2026 are Ben Huefner and Mirko Jaksic, among others.
The Dayton Flyers named five captains for the 2026 season, which is the most in the school's history.
Mirko Jaksic was a PFL first team selection last season, recording 33 tackles, including 6 1/2 for a loss.
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