ST. LOUIS - Missouri Baptist Football has named quarterback Grant Gibson, wide receiver Jordan Johnson, offensive lineman Haven Hatfield, linebacker Evan DeWilde, linebacker Nick Stepney, and defensive back Jaylon Williamson as team captains for the 2026 season.
Redshirt sophomore Grant Gibson has earned his place as the Spartans' starting quarterback after a pair of years of development. As a freshman in 2024, Gibson appeared in six games, completing just six passes for 23 yards. In 2025, the quarterback saw action in just one game. Now manning the offense in 2026, Gibson will look to use his experience with Missouri Baptist to lead his team as a captain. To begin his 2026 campaign, Gibson has thrown for 246 yards and a touchdown on a 59% completion rate.
Senior Jordan Johnson has made an instant impact as a transfer, earning the honor of captain in his first season with the Spartans. Johnson, a St. Louis native, previously had stops at NCAA Division I institutions Notre Dame and Central Florida before joining Missouri Baptist. His deep experience of high-level football will be a key factor in his ability to guide his team forward. Johnson is responsible for the sole Spartan touchdown in 2026, scoring on a pass from Gibson and adding 48 yards against Saint Ambrose University.
Graduate Haven Hatfield, who is entering his second year with MBU, rounds out the offensive captains. Hatfield, a member of the Eastern Illinois program for his first three collegiate seasons, earned his stripes immediately in St. Louis. Appearing in all 10 games in 2025, Hatfield helped to produce 31 total touchdowns and 241 points. So far in 2026, he has assisted in gaining 128 rushing yards and allowed zero sacks. Hatfield's leadership over the trenches will be crucial for the Spartans' offensive success.
Graduate Evan DeWilde is the longest-tenured Spartan amongst the 2026 captains, having been with Missouri Baptist since 2022. Seeing action in a combined six games between his freshman and sophomore years, DeWilde saw his role increase in 2024, where he played in nine games and tallied 26 tackles. The past season was truly a breakout for the Perryville native, where DeWilde led the team with 99 tackles, third-most in a single season at MBU, adding five and a half tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery, earning Second Team All-Heart. DeWilde will be the anchor for this Spartan defense once last time.
Senior Nick Stepney enters year four with MBU, joining DeWilde as a captain in the linebackers' unit. Stepney appeared across 29 games in his first three seasons, lighting up opposing offenses for 156 tackles en route to being a two-time All-Heart Honorable Mention and one-time member of the Second Team. The presence of Stepney in the front seven will bolster the entire Spartan defense.
Graduate Jaylon Williamson earns his place as the final captain in his first season with Missouri Baptist. Williamson had collegiate experience at Central Methodist and Missouri Western State before finding his way to Missouri Baptist. In his first game as a Spartan, Williamson was responsible for a pass breakup, holding down a secondary that allowed just 202 passing yards. Williamson's knowledge and background will be beneficial to MBU's defensive backfield.
Sitting at 0-1, the Spartans open their home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 12 against Peru State College at 7 p.m.
