ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Safety Giuseppe Sessi and quarterback Braxton Woodson have been voted 2026 Navy football team captains by their teammates, head coach Brian Newberry announced Sunday afternoon during the annual season-ending tribute to the senior class.
Sessi started all 13 games last fall at safety and recorded 81 tackles, second only to linebacker MarcAnthony Parker. He also recovered a fumble, had a pass breakup and recorded a half-tackle for loss.
He was part of a Navy defense that held each of its final three opponents under 300 yards of total offense (288 by Memphis, 202 by Army and 239 by Cincinnati).
He posted a career-high 11 tackles in Navy's win over Temple, added 10 tackles against North Texas and had eight against both USF and Memphis.
Sessi has recorded 96 tackles in his career.
"It's an incredible honor to be named a captain of this team," said Sessi. "I'm grateful to my coaches and teammates for trusting me with this responsibility. We have a special group of men. What I love about this team is that we've got guys who care about each other and their craft. That's Navy football. When we step on that field, we're going to play with elite effort, attitude and toughness, but also play for the Brotherhood."
Woodson played in 10 games last fall, including his third career start against Notre Dame. He finished the year with 414 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 44 carries, while completing 9 of 19 passes for 110 yards. He also caught a 10-yard pass from Blake Horvath against Army.
The highlight of Woodson's 2025 season came when he came off the bench in relief of an injured Horvath against USF and carried the ball nine times for 103 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdown runs covered 64 and 20 yards as Navy upset the Bulls.
Woodson carried the ball 23 times for 101 yards and a touchdown against Notre Dame and rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries against VMI. He became the first FBS player to rush for 180 or more yards on seven or fewer carries since LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire accomplished the feat against Arkansas in 2019.
Woodson has rushed for 760 yards and 10 touchdowns on 146 carries in his career, while throwing for 516 yards and three touchdowns.
"It's a great honor to be named a captain of this team," said Woodson. "I am blessed to have the trust of my teammates and coaches. Over the past three years with the Navy football program, I have seen the high character and leadership demonstrated by former captains. I hope, alongside Giuseppe, to continue that tradition and grow it. I have earned the trust of the Brotherhood and will work every day to uphold the values of our team."
Newberry also announced position captains for the 2026 season at the conclusion of spring practice:
Senior Isaiah Bryant — Snipes
Senior Coleman Cauley — Linebackers
Senior Lance Gossett — Specialists
Junior Jackson Gutierrez — Quarterbacks
Junior Phillip Hamilton — Safeties
Senior Luke Hutchison — Wide receivers
Senior Vic Listorti — Running backs
Senior JaSean McLean — Outside linebackers
Senior Jake Norris — Tight ends
Senior Ira Oniha — Cornerbacks
Senior Hoke Smith — Offensive line
Senior Griffen Willis — Defensive line
Tackle Malcolm Johnson — Offensive sophomore captain
Outside linebacker Christian Johnson — Defensive sophomore captain
Navy opens the 2026 football season Sept. 5 against Towson at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. For ticket information, visit navysports.com or call 1-800-US4-NAVY.
