Colton, DeNucci, Padezanin Named Captains as Lehigh Opens Preseason Camp
8/3/2023 3:54:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh football is back. The Mountain Hawks, under the direction of first-year head coach Kevin Cahill, reported for preseason camp on Tuesday and held their first official practice on a warm, but not overly hot Thursday morning on the Whitehead Practice Fields.
Tuesday's report day was capped by a cookout for team and support staff prior to administrative meetings. On Wednesday, the Mountain Hawks had their conditioning tests and a walk-through before donning helmets Thursday morning for practice No. 1.
Prior to Thursday's first practice, Cahill announced Lehigh's captains for the 2023 campaign. Fifth-year defensive lineman Dean Colton, senior linebacker Mike DeNucci and senior center George Padezanin will lead this year's squad. Colton and Padezanin will serve as captains for the second consecutive season.
DeNucci was recently named Preseason All-Patriot League after earning second team all-league honors following a 2022 season in which he led the Mountain Hawks in tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks.
Colton started all 11 games on the defensive line in 2022, finishing with 22 tackles and a sack. He scored two touchdowns, one on an interception return and one on a fumble return, to become the first Lehigh defensive player to score multiple touchdowns in a season since 2001.
Padezanin enters the 2023 season as an anchor on Lehigh's offensive line. He has started all 22 games at center over the last two seasons.
Cahill takes over a program that features 64 returning players from a season ago and 27 newcomers.
Thursday's opening workout was conducted in helmets, with no pads. The Mountain Hawks will graduate to uppers (shoulder pads and helmets) on Saturday before donning full pads for the first time on Tuesday.
Gallery: (8-3-2023) Football: First Day of Practice
The start of the 2023 campaign is less than a month away as Lehigh will welcome Villanova to Goodman Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 1 with game time set for noon. The Villanova game will be the first of five games at Goodman Stadium in 2023, culminating with the 159th meeting of Lehigh and Lafayette on Nov. 18. Tickets for all Lehigh home games can be purchased online at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-7LU-GAME during business hours.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Tuesday's report day was capped by a cookout for team and support staff prior to administrative meetings. On Wednesday, the Mountain Hawks had their conditioning tests and a walk-through before donning helmets Thursday morning for practice No. 1.
🏈 Post-practice #️⃣1️⃣ thoughts from @coach_cahill !#GoLehigh #TheNest pic.twitter.com/7YDVCHDS8F
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) August 3, 2023
Prior to Thursday's first practice, Cahill announced Lehigh's captains for the 2023 campaign. Fifth-year defensive lineman Dean Colton, senior linebacker Mike DeNucci and senior center George Padezanin will lead this year's squad. Colton and Padezanin will serve as captains for the second consecutive season.
DeNucci was recently named Preseason All-Patriot League after earning second team all-league honors following a 2022 season in which he led the Mountain Hawks in tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks.
Colton started all 11 games on the defensive line in 2022, finishing with 22 tackles and a sack. He scored two touchdowns, one on an interception return and one on a fumble return, to become the first Lehigh defensive player to score multiple touchdowns in a season since 2001.
Padezanin enters the 2023 season as an anchor on Lehigh's offensive line. He has started all 22 games at center over the last two seasons.
Cahill takes over a program that features 64 returning players from a season ago and 27 newcomers.
Thursday's opening workout was conducted in helmets, with no pads. The Mountain Hawks will graduate to uppers (shoulder pads and helmets) on Saturday before donning full pads for the first time on Tuesday.
The start of the 2023 campaign is less than a month away as Lehigh will welcome Villanova to Goodman Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 1 with game time set for noon. The Villanova game will be the first of five games at Goodman Stadium in 2023, culminating with the 159th meeting of Lehigh and Lafayette on Nov. 18. Tickets for all Lehigh home games can be purchased online at LehighTickets.com or by calling 610-7LU-GAME during business hours.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Players Mentioned
Brown & Flight 2025 - Episode Two
Friday, October 10
2025 Brown & Flight - Episode 1
Thursday, September 18
Lehigh Sports Central: Football
Wednesday, August 27
2025 Lehigh Football Season Preview: Special Teams
Thursday, August 21
