List of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football captains


Since 1887, 252 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players have earned the distinction of team captain.
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 ; Frank Keough ; Louis "Red" Salmon ; Leonard Bahan ; Pat Filley ; Bob Olson ; Willie Fry ; Bob Crable ; Phil Carter ; Ned Bolcar ; Ryan Leahy ; Ron Powlus ; Grant Irons ; Brady Quinn ; Travis Thomas ; Tom Zbikowski ; Maurice Crum Jr. ; Zack Martin ; Sheldon Day ; Nick Martin ; Mike McGlinchey ; Drue Tranquill ; Ian Book ; Robert Hainsey ; Avery Davis ; Jarrett Patterson ; JD Bertrand.
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, Louis "Red" Salmon, Knute Rockne, and Hugh Devore.
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. A collection of other awards, the Lombardi, Maxwell, UPI Lineman of the year, Outland, Unitas, 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, Walt Patulski in 1971, Ian Book in 2020, Allen Pinkett in 1985, Frank Dancewicz in 1945, Ross Browner in 1977, Vagas Ferguson in 1979, Tom Clements in 1974, Tony Rice in 1989, Brady Quinn in 2005 and 2006, and Manti Te'o in 2012. 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. 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. 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.
YearNamePositionCollege Awards
1887Henry LuhnHB
1888Edward PrudhommeFB
1889Edward Prudhomme FB
1892Pat CoadyQB
1893Frank KeoughHB
1894Frank Keough HB
1895Dan CaseyG
1896Frank HeringQB
1897Jack MullenE
1898Jack Mullen E
1899Jack Mullen E
1900John FarleyFB
1901Al FortinE/T
1902Louis "Red" SalmonFBAA, CFHOF
1903Louis "Red" Salmon FBAA, CFHOF
1904Frank ShaughnessyE
1905Pat BeacomG
1906Bob BrackenQB
1907Dom CallicrateHB
1908Harry MillerHB/C
1909Cap EdwardsG/T
1910Ralph DimmickT
1911Luke KellyT
1912Gus DoraisQBConsensus AA, CFHOF
1913Knute RockneEAA, National Champions, CFHOF,
1914Keith JonesG/T
1915Freeman FitzgeraldGAA
1916Stan CofallHBAA
1917Jim PhelanQBCFHOF
1918Leonard BahanHB
1919Leonard Bahan QB
1920Frank CoughlinT
1921Eddie AndersonEConsensus AA, CFHOF
1922Glen CarberryE
1923Harvey BrownG
1924Adam WalshCAA, national champion
1925Clem CroweENational champion
1926Gene "Red" EdwardsQBNational champion
1926Tom HeardenHB
1927John "Clipper" SmithGConsensus AA, CFHOF
1928Fred MillerTAA, CFHOF
1929John LawGNational champion
1930Tom ConleyENational champions
1931Tommy YarrCNational champions, Consensus AA, CFHOF
1932Paul HostE
1933Hugh DevoreEAA
1933Tom GormanCNational champion
1934Dom VairoDE
1935Joe SullivanE/T
1936Bill SmithG
1936John LautarG
1937Joe ZwersE
1938Jim McGoldrickG
1939Johnny KellyE
1940Milt PiepulFBAA,
1941Paul LillisT
1942George MurphyE
1943Pat FilleyG/TConsensus AA, national champion
1944Pat Filley G/TConsensus AA, national champion
1945Frank DancewiczQBNational champion, AA, Heisman finalist
1946Game-by-Game
1947George ConnorLB/TAA, Outland Trophy, consensus AA, national champion, CFHOF
1948Bill FischerT/G/DTnational champions, Consensus AA, Outland Trophy, CFHOF
1949Leon HartENational champions, AA, Consensus AA, Heisman Trophy,
Maxwell Award, Sporting News Player of the Year, CFHOF
1949Jim MartinTNational champions, AA, CFHOF
1950Jerry GroomC/LBNational champion, Consensus AA, CFHOF
1951Jim MutschellerDE/TENational champion, AA
1952Jack AlessandriniG/LB
1953Don PenzaE
1954Paul MatzE
1954Dan ShannonE
1955Ray LemekG/T
1956Jim MorseHB
1957Dick PrendergastE
1957Ed SullivanC
1958Al EcuyerGConsensus AA
1958Chuck PuntilloT
1959Ken AdamsonG
1960Myron PottiosGAA
1961Nick BuonicontiG/TAA
1961Norb RoyG
1962Mike LindFB
1963Bob LehmannG
1964Jim CarrollLBAA
1965Phil SheridanE
1966Jim LynchLBNational champion, Maxwell Award, unanimous AA, CFHOF
1967Rocky BleierHBNational champion
1968George KunzTNational champion, Consensus AA
1968Bob OlsonLBCotton Bowl Defensive MVP
1969Bob Olson LBCotton Bowl Defensive MVP
1969Mike OriardC/G
1970Larry DiNardoGConsensus AA
1970Tim KellyLB
1971Thom GatewoodSEConsensus AA, CFHOF
1971Walt PatulskiDEConsensus AA, Lombardi Award, UPI Lineman of the Year, Heisman finalist
1972John DampeerT
1972Greg MarxDE/TConsensus AA
1973Dave CasperTEConsensus AA, national champion, CFHOF
1973Frank PomaricoG
1973Mike TownsendDB/FSConsensus AA, national champion
1974Tom ClementsQBNational champion, AA, Heisman finalist
1974Greg CollinsLBNational champion, AA
1975Ed BauerT
1975Jim StockLB
1976Mark McLaneHB
1976Willie FryDEAA, National champion
1977Ross BrownerDENational champions, Outland Trophy, Unanimous AA,
UPI Lineman of the Year, Heisman finalist, Lombardi Award, CFHOF
1977Terry EurickHB
1977Willie Fry DEAA, National champion
1977Steve OrsiniRB
1978Bob GolicDT/LBAA, National champion, Unanimous AA
1978Jerome HeavensFBNational champion
1978Joe MontanaQBNational champion, Cotton Bowl MVP
1979Vagas FergusonHBNational champion, Cotton Bowl Offensive MVP, Consensus AA, Heisman finalist
1979Tim FoleyTNational champion, AA
1979Dave WaymerFS/CBNational champion
1980Bob CrableLBConsensus AA, CFHOF
1980Tom GibbonsFS
1980John ScullyC
1981Phil CarterTB
1981Bob Crable LBConsensus AA, CFHOF
1982Phil Carter TB
1982Dave DuersonFSAA, Team MVP, Edward "Moose" Krause Distinguished Service Award
1982Mark ZavagninLB
1983Blair KielQB
1983Stacey ToranCB/S
1984Mike GolicLB/DT
1984Joe JohnsonWR/SS
1984Larry WilliamsGAA
1985Tony FurjanicLB
1985Mike LarkinLB
1985Allen PinkettTBAA, Heisman finalist, Heisman finalist
1985Tim ScannellG
1986Mike KovaleskiLB
1987Chuck LanzaCAA
1987Byron SpruellT
1988Ned BolcarLBAA, National champion
1988Mark GreenTBNational champion
1988Andy HeckTAA, National champion
1989Ned Bolcar LBAA, National champion
1989Anthony JohnsonFBNational champion
1989Tony RiceQBNational champion, AA, Heisman finalist, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
1990Mike HeldtC
1990Todd LyghtCBNational champion, Consensus AA
1990Ricky WattersRBNational champion
1990Chris ZorichDTAA, National champion, Consensus AA, UPI Lineman of the Year,
Lombardi Award, Unanimous AA, Orange Bowl Defensive MVP, CFHOF
1991Rodney CulverTBNational champion
1992Demetrius DeboseLB
1992Rick MirerQBTeam MVP
1993Jeff BurisDBConsensus AA
1993Tim RuddyCAA
1993Aaron TaylorG/TConsensus AA, Jim Parker Award, Lombardi Award
1993Bryant YoungDTAA
1994Lee BectonTB
1994Justin GoheenLB
1994Brian HamiltonDE
1994Ryan LeahyOG
1995Paul GrasmanisDL
1995Ryan Leahy OG
1995Derrick MayesWR/SE
1995Shawn WoodenS/CB
1995Dusty ZeiglerC/OG
1996Lyron CobbinsLBAA
1996Marc EdwardsFB
1996Ron PowlusQB
1997Melvin DansbyDE
1997Ron Powlus QB
1997Allen RossumCB
1998Bobbie HowardLB
1998Kory MinorLB
1998Mike RosenthalOTAA
1999Jarious JacksonQB
2000Anthony DenmanLBAA, Team MVP
2000Jabari HollowayTE
2000Grant IronsDE
2000Dan O'LearyTE
2001Rocky BoimanLB
2001David GivensFL
2001Grant Irons DE
2001Anthony WeaverDETeam MVP
2002Arnaz BattleWR
2002Sean MahanOGTeam MVP
2002Gerome SappS
2002Shane WaltonS/CBUnanimous AA
2003Darrell CampbellDT
2003Vontez DuffCB
2003Omar JenkinsWR
2003Jim MolinaroOT
2004Mike GoolsbyOL
2004Ryan GrantRB
2004Carlyle HolidayWR
2004Justin TuckDE
2005Brandon HoyteLB
2005Brady QuinnQBHeisman finalist, Sammy Baugh Trophy, AA,
Heisman finalist, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Maxwell Award
2006Brady Quinn QBHeisman finalist, Sammy Baugh Trophy, AA,
Heisman finalist, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Maxwell Award
2006Travis ThomasHB
2006Tom ZbikowskiSAA
2007John CarlsonTEAA
2007Maurice Crum Jr.DLTeam Defensive MVP
2007John SullivanC
2007Travis Thomas HB
2007Tom Zbikowski SAA
2008David BrutonS
2008Maurice Crum Jr. DLTeam Defensive MVP
2008David GrimesWR
2009Jimmy ClausenQBAA
2009Kyle McCarthyS
2009Eris OlsenG
2009Scott SmithLB
2010Game-by-Game
2011Harrison SmithS
2012Tyler EifertTEAA, John Mackey Award
2012Kapron Lewis-MooreDE
2012Zack MartinGAA, Pinstripe Bowl MVP
2012Manti Te'oLBAA, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Heisman finalist,
Lombardi Award, Lott Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Unanimous AA
2013Bennett JacksonS
2013T. J. JonesWR
2013Zack Martin GAA, Pinstripe Bowl MVP
2014Austin CollinsworthS
2014Sheldon DayDTAA
2014Nick MartinOG
2014Cam McDanielRB
2015Sheldon Day DTAA
2015Matthias FarleyS
2015Nick Martin OG
2015Joe SchmidtLB
2015Jaylon SmithLBAA, Consensus AA, Dick Butkus Award
2016Torii Hunter Jr.WR
2016Mike McGlincheyOTConsensus AA
2016James OnwualuLB
2016Isaac RochellDE
2017Josh AdamsRB
2017DeShone KizerQB
2017Greer MartiniLB
2017Mike McGlinchey OTConsensus AA
2017Nyles MorganLB
2017Quenton NelsonOGUnanimous AA
2017Drue TranquillLBWuerffel Trophy
2017Austin WebsterWR
2018Alex BarsOL
2018Sam MustipherC
2018Tyler NewsomeP
2018Drue Tranquill LBWuerffel Trophy
2019Ian BookQBAll-ACC, Heisman finalist
2019Jalen ElliottS
2019Chris FinkeWR
2019Alohi GilmanS
2019Robert HainseyOL
2019Khalid KareemDE
2019Julian OkwaraDE
2020Ian Book QBAll-ACC, Heisman finalist
2020Shaun CrawfordS
2020Robert Hainsey OL
2020Daelin HayesLB
2020Adetokunbo OgundejiLB
2021Avery DavisWR
2021Kyle HamiltonSAll-ACC, Consensus AA
2021Kurt HinishNT
2021Jarrett PattersonC
2021Myron Tagovailoa-AmosaDEAll-ACC
2021Drew WhiteLB
2021Kyren WilliamsRBACC Rookie of the year
2022Bo BauerLB
2022JD BertrandLB
2022Avery Davis WR
2022Isaiah FoskeyDEConsensus AA
2022Michael MayerTEConsensus AA
2022Jarrett Patterson C
2023Joe AltOLAA
2023JD Bertrand LB
2023Cam HartCB
2023Sam HartmanQB
2024Jack KiserLB
2024Riley LeonardQB
2024Rylie MillsDL
2024Benjamin MorrisonCB
2024Xavier WattsS
2025Drayk BowenLB
2025Donovan HinishDL
2025Will PaulingWR
2025Billy SchrauthOL
2025Adon ShulerS
2025Aamil WagnerOL

Game captains

No permanent captains were selected during the 1946 and 2010 seasons. Head coaches Frank Leahy and Brian Kelly 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.