O Captain! My Captain! Potential Captaincy Candidates in 2026

Erich Pilcher
Apr 27
4 min read

Being named a team captain, from Pop Warner to the pros, is a great honor. It reflects leadership and locker room respect. For a global brand like Notre Dame Football, this role carries added weight, including comparisons to past legends and current lofty expectations.

Photo by The Irish Tribune

Notre Dame just finished its annual Blue Gold Scrimmage to end spring camp. Now, attention shifts to the summer and a season with legitimate National Championship hopes. Notre Dame returns two captains from last season: Redshirt Junior Safety Adon Shuler and Senior Linebacker Drayk Bowen, leaving three potential captain spots open.

The Probables:

For argument's sake, we are going to assume that both Bowen and Shuler will be named two-time captains this season.

Redshirt Sophomore Quarterback CJ Carr:

Any captain's list must start and begin with the quarterback position. This is especially true when the QB in question is arguably the top returning player at that position and a perennial Heisman Trophy candidate. Carr showed major growth through each game last season. He finished the 2025 campaign leading the Irish on a 10-game winning streak. He did this while throwing for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only throwing six interceptions. He is also respected within the locker room and has earned the implicit trust of his coaches.

Junior Wide Receiver Jaden Greathouse:

When one looks towards a captain, perseverance is a key trait. That is something Greathouse has in abundance. Mired in an injury-shortened 2025 season, Greathouse declined overtures from the Transfer Portal and the NFL Draft to return to Notre Dame. His career stats of 930 yards receiving, nine touchdowns, and 14.5 Yards Per Catch (YPC) show his playmaking ability. Also, he has one of the most memorable plays in recent Notre Dame lore, his electrifying 54-yard Touchdown reception in the 2025 Orange Bowl to tie the game late, which is still shown in Notre Dame Highlight reels.

Junior Cornerback Leonard Moore:

Moore has become one of the most lockdown cornerbacks in the country. Last season, while the defense started slow, Moore was the stabilizing force. He had five interceptions with seven pass deflections. All the while missing two games due to injury. He is considered by many to be the best cornerback in the nation.

Senior Center Ashton Craig:

Craig started the 2025 campaign on the Remington Award Watchlist and was a stabilizer across the Offensive Line while Carr waded his way through learning the offense. Craig showed his preseason accolades were justified until a season-ending knee injury against NC State. Craig returns and will be the anchor to a group that has become a known strength for Notre Dame.

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Dark Horse Candidates:

Redshirt Sophomore Safety Tae Johnson:

Johnson started the Arkansas game and never looked back. He could also be looked at as a spark that turned the defense around with his four interceptions and three passes defended. Secondary will be a strength for the Irish, and Johnson is a major part of that. He should be an impact player for Notre Dame this season.

Sophomore Wide Receiver Micah Gilbert:

If the Blue Gold Scrimmage was any indicator, Gilbert has become a prime target for Carr. Last season, he had only nine receptions for 93 yards. However, he showed great catch radius and has worked hard this offseason to be a big play threat in what appears to be a loaded receiver room for the Irish. Hard work earns the respect of your teammates, and that could make Gilbert a prime captain candidate.

Junior Running Back Anyeas Williams:

Williams has already shown the selflessness needed to be a captain. The former four-star Running Back has stayed with the Irish for two seasons, playing understudy to the recently drafted Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price and rejecting overtures from the transfer portal. That steady patience appears to have paid off as Williams is slated to be the lead running back this season. Notre Dame supporters have seen flashes of what Williams is capable of in spot duty. He has rushed for 443 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 7.64 Yards per Carry (YPC) over the past two seasons. Williams patience could be rewarded with a captain's nod.

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