ITHACA, N.Y. -- On a day full of gridiron smiles and forever optimism, Miles Norris was his usual self - stoic, business-like. Ready for a challenge.

As fall camp kicked off for the 2017 Cornell football team, Norris can be forgiven for not flashing his million-dollar smile.

Almost a year ago to the day, Norris had football taken away from him after suffering a leg injury in the very first practice of 2016. A year of rehab and interning in the university's Department of Financial Affairs has the fifth-year senior ready to rejoin his teammates on the gridiron.

Considered one of the top leaders on campus in any organization, the injury will allow Norris to make history. The 6-0, 240-pound middle linebacker will join Jeff Mathews '13 as the only three-year football captains for the Big Red, a history that dates back to 1887.

In fact, it was a decision so easy that head coach David Archer '05 told the team they didn't even need to vote for him.

"I told the team you don't have to re-vote him as a captain ... he has re-set the standard of what that title actually means."

The native of Baltimore, Md. is primed for a big season as one of three fifth-year eligible players on the roster - joining wide receiver Collin Shaw and safety Justin Solomon. Norris has been a big-time playmaker over his career, posting 134 tackles with 11.0 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. He led the Big Red and ranked ninth in the Ivy League in total stops as a sophomore in 2014.

While his big-play ability will be welcomed at the middle linebacker position, it is his presence on the field that will make the biggest difference to a Big Red defense that returns nine starters on defense.

"Talk about intangibles and things you might not be able to quantify - Miles Norris - his presence, work ethic, leadership, demeanor, production, are immeasurable. What he has meant to Cornell football, the Cornell community, he has been a true role model of what you want a student-athlete in the Ivy League to be," Archer said. "We're really jacked he's back for his fifth year."

Cornell's remaining captains will be announced later in fall camp.