Drayk Bowen (34) returns as one of Notre Dame’s four captains for the 2026 season. Bowen and Adon Shuler will each serve as captain for the second consecutive year. (Photo: Chad Ryan/Fighting Irish Preview)
Notre Dame has officially named its four captains for the 2026 season.
Quarterback CJ Carr, wide receiver Jordan Faison, linebacker Drayk Bowen and safety Adon Shuler will lead the Irish as they enter a season with national championship expectations.
For Bowen and Shuler, the honor is a familiar one. Both were captains last season and will serve as captains for the second consecutive year, while Carr and Faison have been selected for the first time.
The four captains represent both sides of the football, with Carr and Faison leading the offense and Bowen and Shuler providing veteran leadership on defense.
CJ Carr
CJ Carr enters his second season as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback after a strong first year leading the Irish offense.
Now, Carr will take on an even bigger leadership role as a captain. As Notre Dame’s starting quarterback, Carr is already one of the most visible players on the roster and will be counted on to guide an offense with high expectations.
He already knows what it takes to play quarterback at Notre Dame. Now he will help lead a team with national championship aspirations.
Jordan Faison
Jordan Faison is coming off a season in which he led Notre Dame in receiving yards and enters 2026 as one of the most important pieces of the Irish offense.
Faison, who has also been a standout for Notre Dame’s lacrosse program, decided not to play lacrosse this year so he could concentrate exclusively on football. The decision further underscores the role he is expected to play for an Irish team with national championship expectations.
Notre Dame will again count on Faison to play a major role in the passing game. As a captain, he will also take on an increased leadership role within the offense and the wide receiver room.
Faison has already shown he can be counted on as a playmaker. Now, he will be counted on as one of the team’s leaders as well.
Drayk Bowen
Drayk Bowen returns as a captain and will once again be one of the leaders of a Notre Dame defense with high expectations.
The veteran linebacker has continued to take on a larger role since arriving in South Bend and has developed into one of the primary voices of the Irish defense.
With Notre Dame returning plenty of talent on that side of the football, Bowen’s experience and leadership will be important throughout the season.
Adon Shuler
Adon Shuler also returns as a captain and gives the Irish another experienced leader in the secondary.
Shuler will play an important role on a defense that will face several talented quarterbacks and passing attacks this season. His experience, communication and leadership will be particularly important in a talented Notre Dame secondary.
Leading the Irish
Notre Dame’s four captains come from four different positions and represent both sides of the football.
Carr and Faison will help lead the offense, while Bowen and Shuler will provide leadership on defense. All four will have important roles on the field and will also be counted on to provide leadership away from it.
Notre Dame enters the 2026 season with the talent and expectations to compete for a national championship. Carr, Faison, Bowen and Shuler will be charged with helping lead the way.