University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Football Elects 2026 Team Captains
8/28/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
Panthers select four leaders ahead of the program’s 137th season
PITTSBURGH—At the 2026 Pitt Football Kickoff Luncheon presented by Huntington Bank, Head Coach Pat Narduzzi announced the four Panthers who will serve as team captains for the 2026 season: sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel, fifth year offensive lineman Ryan Baer, senior linebacker Braylan Lovelace and senior defensive back Cruce Brookins.
The captains were selected by a vote of their teammates. Heintschel is believed to be Pitt's first true sophomore captain in the modern era of Pitt Football. The program's known sophomore captains (Tyler Palko in 2004, Lousaka Polite in 2001 and Alex Van Pelt in 1990) were all redshirt sophomores.
Heintschel emerged as one of college football's most productive young quarterbacks during the 2025 season. He completed 201-of-316 passes for 2,354 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding two scores on the ground. The Oregon, Ohio, native helped Pitt post a 6-3 record in his starts and earned ACC Quarterback of the Week honors once and ACC Rookie of the Week honors twice.
Baer has been a fixture on Pitt's offensive line over the past three seasons. The 6-foot-7, 325-pound tackle started all 13 games in 2025 and earned honorable mention All-ACC recognition. He has made 35 career starts, seeing action at both right and left tackle.
Lovelace returns as one of the ACC's top linebackers after leading Pitt with 80 tackles in 2025. He also compiled 5.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions (one TD) and four pass breakups while starting all 13 games and earning honorable mention All-ACC honors. The Leechburg, Pa., native enters the season on the watch lists for both the Butkus and Chuck Bednarik awards.
Brookins started eight of his 10 appearances at safety last season, totaling 53 tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups and a half tackle for loss. The Pittsburgh native and Steel Valley graduate received honorable mention All-ACC recognition and enters 2026 with 88 tackles and four interceptions over the past two seasons.
2026 Pitt Football Captains
- Mason Heintschel — Sophomore, Quarterback
- Ryan Baer — 5th Year, Offensive Line
- Braylan Lovelace — Senior, Linebacker
- Cruce Brookins — Senior, Defensive Back
The Panthers open the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, against Miami (Ohio) at Acrisure Stadium. The game will kick off at 12:30 p.m. and air on The CW.
