List of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football captains

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Since 1887, 252 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players have earned the distinction of team captain. [1] [2] [3]

Henry Luhn established the role of football captain in 1887, followed by the first two-year captain in Edward Prudhomme.

There are 27 players who have earned the distinction of captain twice: Edward Prudhomme (1888–89); Frank Keough (1893–94); Louis "Red" Salmon (1902–03); Leonard Bahan (1918–19); Pat Filley (1943–44); Bob Olson (1968–69); Willie Fry (1976–77); Bob Crable (1980–81); Phil Carter (1981–82); Ned Bolcar (1988–89); Ryan Leahy (1994–95); Ron Powlus (1996–97); Grant Irons (2000–01); Brady Quinn (2005–06); Travis Thomas (2006–07); Tom Zbikowski (2006–07); Maurice Crum Jr. (2007–08); Zack Martin (2012–13); Sheldon Day (2014–15); Nick Martin (2014–15); Mike McGlinchey (2016–17); Drue Tranquill (2017–18); Ian Book (2019–20); Robert Hainsey (2019–20); Avery Davis (2021–22); Jarrett Patterson (2021–22); JD Bertrand (2022–23).

Jack Mullen is the only Notre Dame player to be chosen as team captain three times, leading the Fighting Irish from 1897 through the 1899 season.

The first duo-captains were Gene "Red" Edwards and Tom Hearden during the 1926 season, and the first trio was chosen in 1973 with Dave Casper, Frank Pomarico, and Mike Townsend. The number of captains per season has increased steadily since the 1967 season, and the current record was eight in 2017. The last solo captain was Harrison Smith in 2011.

Four captains late became head coaches for the Fighting Irish football team. These men were Frank Hering (1896–98), Louis "Red" Salmon (1904), Knute Rockne (1918–30), and Hugh Devore (1945, 1963).

Many of the captains have also received other honors during their collegiate careers. The list includes at least seventy-seven players who were selected to All-America teams, twenty-five consensus All-Americans, and seven that were selected unanimously. Nineteen have been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. [4] A collection of other awards, the Lombardi (5), Maxwell (4), UPI Lineman of the year (4), Outland (3), Unitas (2), SN Player of the Year, Jim Parker, Sammy Baugh, John Mackay, Bronko Nagurski, Lott, Butkus, Bednarick, Walter Camp, and Wuerffel have also been won at least once.

Nine captains have been finalists for the Heisman Trophy a combined eleven times, including Allen Pinkett in 1983 (16th), Walt Patulski in 1971 (9th), Ian Book in 2020 (9th), Allen Pinkett in 1985 (8th), Frank Dancewicz in 1945 (6th), Ross Browner in 1977 (5th), Vagas Ferguson in 1979 (5th), Tom Clements in 1974 (4th), Tony Rice in 1989 (4th), Brady Quinn in 2005 (4th) and 2006 (3rd), and Manti Te'o in 2012 (2nd). Leon Hart finished atop the rankings in 1949 and became the only captain to win the Heisman.

There were at least four captains who were chosen by their peers to represent the Fighting Irish in the next football season, but were unable to perform their duty for a variety of reasons. Bill Walsh was elected to the distinction in 1896 after leading the Irish as starting quarterback in the previous season, but turned it down to enter Georgetown Law School. George Gipp was originally elected to be captain of the football team in 1920, but Knute Rockne suspended him in March because of what he stated as missing too many classes, while other reports speculated that he had been caught at an off-limits nightclub. [5] In March 1935, captain-elect Joe Sullivan died of pneumonia, and as a result no captain acting in any capacity represented the Irish on the field that season. Moreover, an award in his name was donated by the Notre Dame club of New York to the interhall football program to serve as their season's championship trophy. [6] Bill Smith was intended to become captain of the 1936 team, but was forced to drop football after a doctor deemed him unfit to play, with John Lautar filling his place as an acting captain. Of the four, only Smith and Sullivan are given recognition on the official list of Notre Dame captains, although a footnote below each season explains their unique circumstances.

List of Captains of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
YearNamePositionCollege Awards
1887 Henry Luhn HB
1888 Edward Prudhomme FB
1889 Edward Prudhomme (2)FB
1892 Pat Coady QB
1893 Frank KeoughHB
1894 Frank Keough (2)HB
1895 Dan CaseyG
1896 Frank Hering QB
1897 Jack MullenE
1898 Jack Mullen (2)E
1899 Jack Mullen (3)E
1900 John FarleyFB
1901 Al FortinE/T
1902 Louis "Red" Salmon FBAA (1903), CFHOF (1971)
1903 Louis "Red" Salmon (2)FBAA (1903), CFHOF (1971)
1904 Frank Shaughnessy E
1905 Pat BeacomG
1906 Bob Bracken QB
1907 Dom Callicrate HB
1908 Harry Miller HB/C
1909 Cap Edwards G/T
1910 Ralph DimmickT
1911 Luke KellyT
1912 Gus Dorais QBConsensus AA (1913), CFHOF (1954)
1913 Knute Rockne EAA (1913), National Champions (1924, 1929, 1930 as coach), CFHOF (1951),
1914 Keith JonesG/T
1915 Freeman Fitzgerald GAA (1915)
1916 Stan Cofall HBAA (1916)
1917 Jim Phelan QBCFHOF (1973)
1918 Leonard Bahan HB
1919 Leonard Bahan (2)QB
1920 Frank Coughlin T
1921 Eddie Anderson EConsensus AA (1921), CFHOF (1971)
1922 Glen Carberry E
1923 Harvey BrownG
1924 Adam Walsh CAA (1924), national champion (1924)
1925 Clem Crowe ENational champion (1924)
1926 Gene "Red" Edwards QBNational champion (1924)
Tom Hearden HB
1927 John "Clipper" Smith GConsensus AA (1927), CFHOF (1975)
1928 Fred Miller TAA (1928), CFHOF (1985)
1929 John Law GNational champion (1929)
1930 Tom Conley ENational champions (1929, 1930)
1931 Tommy Yarr CNational champions (1929, 1930), Consensus AA (1931), CFHOF (1987)
1932 Paul HostE
1933 Hugh Devore EAA (1933)
Tom Gorman CNational champion (1930)
1934 Dom Vairo DE
1935 Joe SullivanE/T
1936 Bill SmithG
John LautarG
1937 Joe ZwersE
1938 Jim McGoldrickG
1939 Johnny KellyE
1940 Milt Piepul FBAA (1939–1940),
1941 Paul LillisT
1942 George MurphyE
1943 Pat Filley G/TConsensus AA (1943), national champion (1943)
1944 Pat Filley (2)G/TConsensus AA (1943), national champion (1943)
1945 Frank Dancewicz QBNational champion (1943), AA (1945), Heisman finalist (1945, 6th)
1946 Game-by-Game
1947 George Connor LB/TAA (1943), Outland Trophy (1946), consensus AA (1946–1947), national champion (1946–1947), CFHOF (1963)
1948 Bill Fischer T/G/DTnational champions (1946–1947), Consensus AA (1947–1948), Outland Trophy (1948), CFHOF (1983)
1949 Leon Hart ENational champions (1946, 1947, 1949), AA (1947), Consensus AA (1948–1949), Heisman Trophy (1949),
Maxwell Award (1949), Sporting News Player of the Year (1949), CFHOF (1973)
Jim Martin TNational champions (1946, 1947, 1949), AA (1949), CFHOF (1995)
1950 Jerry Groom C/LBNational champion (1949), Consensus AA (1950), CFHOF (1994)
1951 Jim Mutscheller DE/TENational champion (1949), AA (1951)
1952 Jack AlessandriniG/LB
1953 Don Penza E
1954 Paul MatzE
Dan ShannonE
1955 Ray Lemek G/T
1956 Jim MorseHB
1957 Dick PrendergastE
Ed SullivanC
1958 Al Ecuyer GConsensus AA (1957)
Chuck PuntilloT
1959 Ken Adamson G
1960 Myron Pottios GAA (1960)
1961 Nick Buoniconti G/TAA (1961)
Norb RoyG
1962 Mike Lind FB
1963 Bob LehmannG
1964 Jim Carroll LBAA (1964)
1965 Phil SheridanE
1966 Jim Lynch LBNational champion (1966), Maxwell Award (1966), unanimous AA (1966), CFHOF (1992)
1967 Rocky Bleier HBNational champion (1966)
1968 George Kunz TNational champion (1966), Consensus AA (1968)
Bob Olson LBCotton Bowl Defensive MVP (1970)
1969 Bob Olson (2)LBCotton Bowl Defensive MVP (1970)
Mike Oriard C/G
1970 Larry DiNardo GConsensus AA (1970)
Tim KellyLB
1971 Thom Gatewood SEConsensus AA (1970), CFHOF (2015)
Walt Patulski DEConsensus AA (1971), Lombardi Award (1971), UPI Lineman of the Year (1971), Heisman finalist (1971, 6th)
1972 John DampeerT
Greg Marx DE/TConsensus AA (1972)
1973 Dave Casper TEConsensus AA (1973), national champion (1973), CFHOF (2012)
Frank PomaricoG
Mike Townsend DB/FSConsensus AA (1973), national champion (1973)
1974 Tom Clements QBNational champion (1973), AA (1974), Heisman finalist (1974, 4th)
Greg Collins LBNational champion (1973), AA (1974)
1975 Ed BauerT
Jim StockLB
1976 Mark McLaneHB
Willie Fry DEAA (1977), National champion (1977)
1977 Ross Browner DENational champions (1973, 1977), Outland Trophy (1976), Unanimous AA (1976–1977),
UPI Lineman of the Year (1976–1977), Heisman finalist (1977, 5th), Lombardi Award (1977), CFHOF (1999)
Terry EurickHB
Willie Fry (2)DEAA (1977), National champion (1977)
Steve OrsiniRB
1978 Bob Golic DT/LBAA (1927), National champion (1977), Unanimous AA (1978)
Jerome Heavens FBNational champion (1977)
Joe Montana QBNational champion (1977), Cotton Bowl MVP (1979)
1979 Vagas Ferguson HBNational champion (1977), Cotton Bowl Offensive MVP (1978), Consensus AA (1979), Heisman finalist (1979, 5th)
Tim Foley TNational champion (1977), AA (1979)
Dave Waymer FS/CBNational champion (1977)
1980 Bob Crable LBConsensus AA (1980–1981), CFHOF (2017)
Tom GibbonsFS
John Scully C
1981 Phil Carter TB
Bob Crable (2)LBConsensus AA (1980–1981), CFHOF (2017)
1982 Phil Carter (2)TB
Dave Duerson FSAA (1981–1982), Team MVP (1982), Edward "Moose" Krause Distinguished Service Award (1990)
Mark ZavagninLB
1983 Blair Kiel QB
Stacey Toran CB/S
1984 Mike Golic LB/DT
Joe Johnson WR/SS
Larry Williams GAA (1984)
1985 Tony Furjanic LB
Mike LarkinLB
Allen Pinkett TBAA (1983), Heisman finalist (1983, 16th), Heisman finalist (1985, 8th)
Tim ScannellG
1986 Mike Kovaleski LB
1987 Chuck Lanza CAA (1987)
Byron SpruellT
1988 Ned Bolcar LBAA (1987, 1989), National champion (1988)
Mark Green TBNational champion (1988)
Andy Heck TAA (1988), National champion (1988)
1989 Ned Bolcar (2)LBAA (1987, 1989), National champion (1988)
Anthony Johnson FBNational champion (1988)
Tony Rice QBNational champion (1988), AA (1989), Heisman finalist (1989, 4th), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (1989)
1990 Mike HeldtC
Todd Lyght CBNational champion (1988), Consensus AA (1989–1990)
Ricky Watters RBNational champion (1988)
Chris Zorich DTAA (1988), National champion (1988), Consensus AA (1989), UPI Lineman of the Year (1989),
Lombardi Award (1990), Unanimous AA (1990), Orange Bowl Defensive MVP (1991), CFHOF (2007)
1991 Rodney Culver TBNational champion (1988)
1992 Demetrius DeboseLB
Rick Mirer QBTeam MVP (1992)
1993 Jeff BurisDBConsensus AA (1993)
Tim Ruddy CAA (1993)
Aaron Taylor G/TConsensus AA (1992–1993), Jim Parker Award (1993), Lombardi Award (1993)
Bryant Young DTAA (1993)
1994 Lee BectonTB
Justin GoheenLB
Brian HamiltonDE
Ryan LeahyOG
1995 Paul Grasmanis DL
Ryan Leahy (2)OG
Derrick Mayes WR/SE
Shawn Wooden S/CB
Dusty Zeigler C/OG
1996 Lyron Cobbins LBAA (1996)
Marc Edwards FB
Ron Powlus QB
1997 Melvin DansbyDE
Ron Powlus (2)QB
Allen Rossum CB
1998 Bobbie Howard LB
Kory Minor LB
Mike Rosenthal OTAA (1998)
1999 Jarious Jackson QB
2000 Anthony Denman LBAA (2000), Team MVP (2000)
Jabari Holloway TE
Grant Irons DE
Dan O'Leary TE
2001 Rocky Boiman LB
David Givens FL
Grant Irons (2)DE
Anthony Weaver DETeam MVP (2001)
2002 Arnaz Battle WR
Sean Mahan OGTeam MVP (2002)
Gerome Sapp S
Shane Walton S/CBUnanimous AA (2002)
2003 Darrell Campbell DT
Vontez Duff CB
Omar JenkinsWR
Jim Molinaro OT
2004 Mike Goolsby OL
Ryan Grant RB
Carlyle Holiday WR
Justin Tuck DE
2005 Brandon HoyteLB
Brady Quinn QBHeisman finalist (2005, 4th), Sammy Baugh Trophy (2005), AA (2006),
Heisman finalist (2006, 3rd), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2006), Maxwell Award (2006)
2006 Brady Quinn (2)QBHeisman finalist (2005, 4th), Sammy Baugh Trophy (2005), AA (2006),
Heisman finalist (2006, 3rd), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2006), Maxwell Award (2006)
Travis Thomas HB
Tom Zbikowski SAA (2005–2006)
2007 John Carlson TEAA (2006)
Maurice Crum Jr. DLTeam Defensive MVP (2008)
John Sullivan C
Travis Thomas (2)HB
Tom Zbikowski (2)SAA (2005–2006)
2008 David Bruton S
Maurice Crum Jr. (2)DLTeam Defensive MVP (2008)
David Grimes WR
2009 Jimmy Clausen QBAA (2009)
Kyle McCarthy S
Eris Olsen G
Scott SmithLB
2010 Game-by-Game
2011 Harrison Smith S
2012 Tyler Eifert TEAA (2012), John Mackey Award (2012)
Kapron Lewis-Moore DE
Zack Martin GAA (2012), Pinstripe Bowl MVP (2013)
Manti Te'o LBAA (2010–2011), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2012), Butkus Award (2012), Chuck Bednarik Award (2012), Heisman finalist (2012, 2nd),
Lombardi Award (2012), Lott Trophy (2012), Maxwell Award (2012), Walter Camp Award (2012), Unanimous AA (2012)
2013 Bennett Jackson S
T. J. Jones WR
Zack Martin (2)GAA (2012), Pinstripe Bowl MVP (2013)
2014 Austin CollinsworthS
Sheldon Day DTAA (2015)
Nick Martin OG
Cam McDaniel RB
2015 Sheldon Day (2)DTAA (2015)
Matthias Farley S
Nick Martin (2)OG
Joe SchmidtLB
Jaylon Smith LBAA (2014), Consensus AA (2015), Dick Butkus Award (2015)
2016 Torii Hunter Jr.WR
Mike McGlinchey OTConsensus AA (2017)
James Onwualu LB
Isaac Rochell DE
2017 Josh Adams RB
DeShone Kizer QB
Greer MartiniLB
Mike McGlinchey (2)OTConsensus AA (2017)
Nyles Morgan LB
Quenton Nelson OGUnanimous AA (2017)
Drue Tranquill LBWuerffel Trophy (2018)
Austin WebsterWR
2018 Alex Bars OL
Sam Mustipher C
Tyler NewsomeP
Drue Tranquill (2)LBWuerffel Trophy (2018)
2019 Ian Book QBAll-ACC (2020), Heisman finalist (2020, 9th)
Jalen Elliott S
Chris FinkeWR
Alohi Gilman S
Robert Hainsey OL
Khalid Kareem DE
Julian Okwara DE
2020 Ian Book (2)QBAll-ACC (2020), Heisman finalist (2020, 9th)
Shaun CrawfordS
Robert Hainsey (2)OL
Daelin Hayes LB
Adetokunbo Ogundeji LB
2021 Avery DavisWR
Kyle Hamilton SAll-ACC (2020), Consensus AA (2021)
Kurt Hinish NT
Jarrett Patterson C
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa DEAll-ACC (2020)
Drew WhiteLB
Kyren Williams RBACC Rookie of the year (2020)
2022 Bo BauerLB
JD Bertrand LB
Avery Davis (2)WR
Isaiah Foskey DEConsensus AA (2022)
Michael Mayer TEConsensus AA (2022)
Jarrett Patterson (2)C
2023 Joe Alt OLAA (2022)
JD Bertrand (2)LB
Cam Hart CB
Sam Hartman QB
2024 Jack Kiser LB
Riley Leonard QB
Rylie Mills DL
Benjamin Morrison CB
Xavier Watts S
2025 Drayk Bowen LB
Donovan HinishDL
Will Pauling WR
Billy Schrauth OL
Adon Shuler S
Aamil Wagner OL

Game captains

No permanent captains were selected during the 1946 and 2010 seasons. Head coaches Frank Leahy (1946) and Brian Kelly (2010) chose a new captain for each game in their respective seasons. Game captains were also selected during the 2002 season under Tyrone Willingham, but four permanent captains were eventually selected at the end of the season.

References

  1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website. August 10, 2019 https://und.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020-Football-Media-Guide.pdf . Retrieved January 26, 2021.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. "2011 Notre Dame Football Media Guide". Issuu. August 4, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  3. "Irish Name Seven Captains For Gridiron". Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website. August 10, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  4. "BlueAndGold - Irish captains through the years". notredame.rivals.com. August 18, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  5. "George Gipp: Person, pictures and information - Fold3.com". Fold3. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  6. "To Present Trophy". The Courier-Journal. November 16, 1935. p. 14. Retrieved October 19, 2020.