BISMARCK, N.D. – Four of the most experienced players on the University of Mary football team were named team captains for the Marauders 2016 season. Head football coach Josh Kotelnicki announced that seniors Zach Podoll, Landon Smith and Danielle Whitaker and junior Jacob Parker were selected for the top leadership positions on the squad.
 
All four captains are entering at least their third season as starters for the Blue & Orange.
 
In addition to the four captains, the Marauders will honor one more senior each week as a game day captain.
 
A native of Velva, North Dakota, Podoll earned All-Northern Sun North Division honorable mention honors last season as a tight end. He caught 37 passes for 313 yards and one touchdown. A starter since his sophomore season, Podoll has 54 receptions for 484 yards and four touchdowns in his career. With a change to the Marauders offense, he is moving to fullback for his senior season. A two-time Northern Sun all-academic team selection, Podoll is the 2016 UMary recipient of the Butch Raymond Scholarship.
 
Entering his fourth year as a starter, Smith finished last season among the NSIC leaders in plays made behind the line of scrimmage. The senior defensive end from Stanley, North Dakota, posted a career-high 12 tackles for loss in 2015. He also led the Marauders with 4.5 sacks and was fourth in total tackles with 64. Already a two-time NSIC all-academic team selection, Smith has racked up 130 total tackles and 21.5 tackles for loss, including 6.0 sacks.
 
Among the NSIC leaders in passes defensed and interceptions last year, Whitaker enters his third season as a starter in the Marauders defensive backfield. The senior from Houston, Texas, was fourth in the league with four picks. Additionally he knocked down eight passes and was seventh in the NSIC in passes defensed with 12.  Whitaker also made a career-high 59 tackles, including three behind the line. In his first three seasons he has compiled seven interceptions and 123 tackles.
 
The first junior named team captain since 2013, Parker moved into the starting lineup during his freshman season in 2014. The defensive back from Las Vegas, Nevada, was among the league leaders in passes defended his sophomore year with 15. He broke up 13 passes and made two interceptions. He also added 44 tackles – including 29 solo stops – and had 3.0 tackles for loss. In two seasons Parker has totaled five interceptions and made 78 tackles. Parker also earned a spot on the Northern Sun's all-academic team for fall 2015.
 
The Marauders open the 2016 season at Concordia-St. Paul at 6 PM on Saturday, Sept. 3.
 
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