Football | 6/1/2026 1:00:00 PM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Senior quarterback Ryan Whitney, senior wide receiver Jackson Cusack, senior defensive back Timothy Vanderbrink and junior linebacker Jack Tanoory have been named the St. John Fisher University football team's captains for the 2026 season, head coach Ed Raby Jr. announced on Monday. The Cardinals' captains were selected based on a vote from players and members of the coaching staff. 

"I'm extremely excited about our captains this season. These four guys are some of the hardest workers you can find," Raby said. "They are great examples of consistency, commitment and competitive spirit. We have many seniors and other leaders on this team. Without a doubt, these four will do a great job being the face of our team leadership."

Whitney (pictured), one of the Cardinals' four captains last season, played in eight games and made four starts as a junior, completing 66% of his passes for 703 yards with seven touchdowns to three interceptions. He added 414 yards and three touchdowns on 83 rushing attempts. Over the last two seasons, he has accounted for 3,404 yards of total offense with 24 touchdowns (18 passing, 6 rushing). 

"Being selected as a captain is one of the greatest accomplishments you can earn in sports, in my eyes," Whitney said. "Knowing that I've earned the respect and trust of my teammates to help lead us through the highs and lows of a season is something really special and something I'll never take for granted." 

A third-team All-Empire 8 selection in each of the last two years, Cusack caught 36 passes for 400 yards and hauled in a team-leading six touchdown receptions in 2025. He has caught 68 career passes for 826 yards and nine scores. 

"Being named captain isn't about being above the team," Cusack said. "It's about pushing yourself harder every day so the team has someone worth following. I'm honored to lead and even more motivated to become the best version of myself for my brothers beside me."

Tanoory had a breakout 2025 season, making 71 total tackles, including 52 solo and 6.5 for a loss, forcing three fumbles and intercepting a pass on his way to second-team All-Empire 8 honors. He earned weekly honors from D3football.com after making 14 tackles and forcing a crucial fourth-quarter fumble that resulted in a touchback in a victory over SUNY Brockport in October. 

"Being voted a captain by my peers and coaches is such a huge honor, considering how much love I have for the game and the brotherhood on this team," Tanoory said. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help lead a group that shares the same mindset, commitment and passion every single day."

A captain alongside Whitney last season, Vanderbrink (pictured) had been producing like one of the top defensive players in the Empire 8 and beyond before suffering an injury midway through the 2025 campaign. In six games, the second-team All-Empire 8 honoree made 58 total tackles (39 solo, 3.5 for a loss), recovered two fumbles and forced two fumbles. He returned one of his fumble recoveries for a score in Fisher's season-opening win at FDU Florham for his second collegiate touchdown. 

"Being named captain is one of the greatest accomplishments," Vanderbrink said. "To have your teammates trust you and believe in you enough to lead them is everything to me. I'm extremely excited to be a part of this team. We have big aspirations and goals this year." 

The Cardinals authored one of the top turnaround stories in Division III in 2025, finishing 7-4 overall with a 5-2 mark in Empire 8 Conference play for their first winning season since 2016. Fisher, which went 3-7 in 2024, ended the regular season as one of 11 teams in the country with a plus-four jump in victories from the previous year. 

St. John Fisher opens the 2026 season by hosting FDU-Florham at 2 p.m. on Sept. 5 at Growney Stadium.