Brian Kelly named Notre Dame’s captains for the 2016 team. Seniors Torii Hunter Jr., Mike McGlinchey, James Onwualu and Isaac Rochell will officially lead the team.
Kelly made the news public on Wednesday after practice, his first media availability since the arrest of six players in two separate incidents on Friday evening. And in his four selections, Kelly named four new team leaders after having to replace all five of the team’s captains from last season.
In Hunter, Kelly has named the team’s lone veteran receiver as a captain, expecting a breakout season in both production and leadership. The most experienced returner after three starters departed and Corey Robinson retired due to concussions, Hunter has less starts at the position than fellow captain Onwualu—now a linebacker—Kelly quipped.
"A tremendous example of behavior on & off the field."-Mike Denbrock
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 24, 2016
Torii Hunter Jr has been named a 2016 captain. pic.twitter.com/uMpucwdh1Q
McGlinchey carries the torch for the offensive line, a fourth-year senior who’ll have a chance to play his way into a first-round draft pick or return for a fifth year. After Zack and Nick Martin each wore the ‘C’ for two-straight seasons, McGlinchey will carry that leadership forward.
"He's got all the intangibles you want." - Brian Kelly
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 24, 2016
Mike McGlinchey has been named a 2016 captain. pic.twitter.com/Wf5MpqCmGg
James Onwualu is the lone remaining starter for the Irish at linebacker, replacing both Joe Schmidt and Jaylon Smith as a captain. Onwualu has earned positive reviews for his play on-field as the team’s Sam linebacker, and has always stood out for his lead-from-the-front attitude.
"He's a highly respected player in our program."-Brian Kelly
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 24, 2016
James Onwualu has been named a 2016 captain. pic.twitter.com/8mcayrEnvx
Rochell is the rock of the defensive line, a third-year starter who replaces Sheldon Day as the group’s leader. He’ll be joined by Jarron Jones as veteran contributors in a group that also replaces key starter Romeo Okwara.
"He's done an outstanding job mentoring our young guys." - Brian Kelly
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 24, 2016
Isaac Rochell has been named a 2016 captain. pic.twitter.com/fTQ8MLK1ym
