Irish elect four captains

Charlie Weis wanted to give his young roster as much leadership as possible.

That's why on Saturday the Notre Dame head coach announced the election of four captains for this year's football squad, mixing two repeat performers with two new names. Travis Thomas and Tom Zbikowski will captain the Irish for a second time while John Carlson and Maurice Crum will get their first chance to lead. All four will have a voice on special teams, Weis said.

The four captains will join Trevor Laws, John Sullivan and Geoff Price on the leadership committee.

The captaincy announcement quickly followed the University's approval of all nine fifth-year candidates, which was rendered official on Friday. All nine candidates were granted a fifth year, meaning in addition to Thomas, Laws, Zbikowski, Sullivan, Price and Carlson, Dwight Stephenson, Joe Brockington, Ambrose Wooden have also been approved to return.