SPRINGFIELD — Missouri State football is quickly approaching with a Week 1 road test against Texas A&M. First-year head coach Casey Woods announced the seven captains who will lead the Bears this season.
Meet the seven Missouri State captains for the 2026 season:
TE Jeron Askren
The junior was placed on the Mackey Award Watchlist for the country’s best tight end. The Wichita, Kansas native was an honorable mention all-conference USA pick last year. He caught 19 passes for 224 yards and five touchdowns.
RB Ramone Green Jr.
The Nixa native has been heralded as one of the team’s top running backs by head coach Casey Woods. The fourth-year senior rushed for 278 yards and scored one touchdown last year. He also scored three receiving touchdowns along with 446 yards.
State running back eyes big year
FB Connor Lair
The Bears’ Swiss Army knife will put on a Missouri State uniform for the final team. Lair, a fifth-year, featured in all 13 games last year. He caught six passes for 62 yards and a touchdown in 2025, too. The West Plains native was named the weekly winner of the FWAA Courage Award.
LB Jared Lloyd
The heart and soul of Missouri State’s defense will be one to watch all year. Lloyd, also known as Bird, started every game for the Bears in 2025. He led the roster with 77 total tackles and secured 4.5 tackles for a loss.
QB Skyler Locklear
The UTEP transfer was announced as Missouri State’s starting quarterback last week. Woods has often spoken about Locklear’s leadership and how the team has galvanized around the fifth-year gunslinger. Locklear threw for 1,418 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions for the Miners.
The men who are tasked to lead.
— Missouri State Football (@MoStateFootball) August 27, 2026
Your 2026 Team Captains 🫡 #ItTakesUsAll | #NoStateLikeMoState pic.twitter.com/RQ8I62uyfK
S J.J. O’Neal
The fifth-year senior was also named captain for the Bears last year. He featured in just four games before announcing his return to Springfield in the offseason. The Logan-Rogersville alum has been a key leader for a secondary that has produced play after play during camp.
OL Isaiah Villanueva
The fifth-year senior is a newcomer to Missouri State. Villanueva will feature at center after playing last year at Jackson State. The Katy, Texas native started his career at North Texas.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State football reveals seven team captains
