MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – SUNY Morrisville head football coach Ed Raby has announced the team vote for selected captains for the 2021 season, naming junior linebacker Ernesto Mitchell (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.), senior safety Deondrade Wells (Goshen, N.Y.), senior Tyler Elmore (Huntington Station, N.Y.) and senior tight end Kyle Tuohy (Amaranth, ON) to the leadership role.
 
Wells will serve in the captain role for a second season, after a successful 2019 season that earned him second team All-Empire 8 honors. During his junior season Wells ranked fifth overall in the league in interceptions, recording three, one of which was returned for a touchdown score. He also posted 41 tackles on the season, defended 11 passes and both forced and recovered a fumble over nationally ranked Brockport in the upset victory.
 
"To be a two-time captain is very rare," said Raby. "That doesn't just happen; it's special and Deondrade deserves it. He sets a great example of consistency and hard work."
 
"Deondrade's leadership style is great, because he really teaches others how to be both focused and have fun at the same time. We expect him to continue to do great things on the field and be a great leader for our program."
 
Mitchell, Elmore and Tuohy were named team captains for the first time in their career. 
 
Mitchell enters his third season with the Mustangs at linebacker and over the course of his career has made a significant impact on the defensive unit, earning honorable mention All-Conference accolades for the Empire 8 on defense.
 
The outside linebacker led the Mustangs with 103 total tackles in the 2019 season, including 49 solo stops and adding five for a loss of 17 yards to go along with 2.5 sacks for a loss of 15 yards. He also registered an interception, three passes defended and a quarterback hurry, ranking second overall in tackles in the league after averaging 10.3 per game.
 
"Ernesto in 2019 burst onto the scene as a player, and that was no surprise to us," Raby said.
 
"This spring he has done the same thing as a leader. He brings a level of focus, confidence, and calmness to our defensive unit that is very important. I believe he is poised to be a great leader and also have a big year on the field as well. "
 
With two strong leaders on the defensive side of the ball, Morrisville also fronts two equally strong on the offensive side as well.
 
Elmore started all 11 games for the Mustangs at left guard on the offensive line, providing the protection for the offensive unit that ranked within the top three of the Empire 8 in several categories. Elmore's assistance on the line led to National D3football.com Team of the Week honors in 2019.
 
His ability off the field proved as effective for the Mustangs, as he has served as that role model to others within the program, especially over the course of the pandemic year.
 
"Tyler may be one of the biggest reasons our team has stuck through all the challenges throughout the year," Raby stated.
 
"He has brought the young guys along and has set a great example on how to be a college football player. Honestly, he has been like having an extra coach within the program, and that is no understatement."
 
Tuohy appeared in all 10 games for the Mustangs at tight end and reined in a total 26 passes for 405 yards, scoring four times in 2019. His average of 15.6 yards per catch was top 10 of all tight ends league wide and earned him first team honors within the Empire 8.
 
"Kyle has always been a force on the field, and he displayed that in 2019," Raby said.
 
"What has been great to see is how he elevated himself as a leader this past year. His growth in that area has been nothing short of amazing, and I can't wait to see how he leads our team."
 
Morrisville will complete spring training in early May and will return back to the field in August for preparation of the 2021 season.
 
SUNY Morrisville's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
 
The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2020 issue and was among the top 10 performers for social mobility, and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2020 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about SUNY Morrisville, visit www.morrisville.edu.