Notre Dame team captains for the 2024 season were announced on Sunday. Five players have earned the honor of wearing a “C “on their uniforms. They are sixth-year linebacker Jack Kiser; fifth-year safety Xavier Watts; fifth-year defensive tackle Rylie Mills; senior transfer quarterback Riley Leonard; and junior cornerback Benjamin Morrison. All five players are first-time captains for the Irish.
Jack Kiser
Kiser has consistently been on Notre Dame’s defense since the 2021 season. Recognized as the Irish’s Special Teams Player of the Year in 2023, Kiser is also a standout on defense. He tied for the team lead with 41 solo tackles last year. And he was third on the unit with 62 total tackles. Kiser had 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and an interception a year ago. He also forced a fumble and three quarterback hurries.
Xavier Watts
Transitioning between offense and defense, Watts has had a winding road at Notre Dame. His switch to defense full-time in 2023 proved to be a game-changer. Watts earned unanimous All-American honors and the Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defensive player last year. His impressive stats included 52 tackles, a nation-leading seven interceptions, and four pass breakups. Watts is not only a playmaker for the Irish defense, but he is a clear team leader.
Rylie Mills
Mills is an impactful force on the Irish’s defensive line. Another breakout player on defense in 2023, Mills recorded 47 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He chose to turn down the NFL Draft to return for a final season in South Bend. With 94 career tackles, 16.5 for loss, and 9.5 sacks, Mills and fellow veteran Howard Cross III make for one of the top interior defensive tackle tandems in the country.
Riley Leonard
The only new captain on the team, Leonard, a transfer from Duke, missed most of the spring due to an ankle injury that he originally suffered against Notre Dame last year. Before his injury, Duke was 4-1 to open last season. It didn’t take long for Leonard to establish himself as a team leader on the inexperienced Irish offense. The dual-threat quarterback amassed 2,967 passing yards, 699 rushing yards, and accounted for 33 total touchdowns with the Blue Devils.
Benjamin Morrison
Morrison made an immediate impact at Notre Dame, quickly establishing himself as a dedicated and talented athlete. The sole underclass captain on this year’s squad, Morrison’s selection is no surprise. He has recorded 64 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss in his first two seasons. A freshman All-American in 2022, Morrison had six interceptions that year and four pass breakups. He followed that up with four interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2023.
Defense Anchors Leadership Core
The Notre Dame team captains are a potent blend of experience, leadership, and playmaking ability. With a defensive nucleus anchored by Kiser, Mills, Watts, and Morrison, the Irish are looking to their defense to anchor the team’s leadership and on-field performance in head coach Marcus Freeman’s third year at the helm.
Leonard, the lone offensive captain, quickly established himself as a team leader. His dynamic playmaking and presence in and out of the pocket will be key to the success of the rebuilt Irish offense. The Notre Dame team captains have one mission: To lead the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff and a shot at a national title.
