Notre Dame Linebacker Drayk Bowen Could Be The First Junior Linebacker Captain In A Decade

It's very common, almost expected, that a linebacker at Notre Dame be named a captain of the football team. Over the past 10 seasons, from 2015-2024 the linebacker position has been an annual home to at least one team captain with the exception of 2019 and 2020. Here's a breakdown of the previous players who have held that title: 

2024 - Jack Kiser - Graduate Student
2023 - JD Bertrand - Graduate Student 
2022 - JD Bertrand - Senior
2021 - Drew White - Graduate Student
2020 - N/A
2019 - N/A
2018 - Drue Tranquil - Graduate Student
2017 - Nyles Morgan - Senior; Greer Martini - Senior
2016 - James Onwualu - Senior
2015 - Jaylon Smith - Junior

This is an impressive list of previous Notre Dame captains, no doubt, but what do all but one have in common? They were all seniors or above with the exception of Smith. This season, a decade later, rising junior linebacker Drayk Bowen has the opportunity to add his name to this list and be the first junior linebacker captain in South Bend since 2015. 

Last year, as a true sophomore, Bowen started and played in all 16 games of Notre Dame's title run. He totaled 615 snaps, 78 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and two passes defended. Bowen's performance in 2024 ranked him No. 9 on PFF's Top 10 Returning Linebackers In 2025 as well as a spot on Athlon Sports' Preseason 3rd Team All-American team. 

As the season progressed, Bowen grew into his role as a producer and as a leader of the defense. His evolution and maturation from their season opener on the road against the Aggies to the National Championship game was very promising to watch unfold. Now, in 2025, he returns to the starting lineup and will have big leadership shoes to fill with Kiser's departure to the NFL. 

Aside from his team-leading 90 total tackles in 2024 and program leading 70 games played in his career, Kiser was known for his leadership attributes on and off the field. He embodied what it meant to be a Fighting Irish captain, like his predecessors. This season, Bowen has the opportunity to step into that role; we've seen his leadership capabilities on the field in their final regular season game against USC and all throughout the post season. 

There's a possibility the junior class for Notre Dame may dominate the team captain conversation, and Bowen is in the forefront of that discussion, especially on the defensive side of the ball. He will have to elevate his on the field performance, as well as maintain his leadership role within the linebacker room and continue being a leader for the new Chris Ash defense.