Just one week before their season opener, Notre Dame has finally named their captains for the 2022 season. On Friday, six players were given the title. This is the first group of captains under the #FreemanEra.
The players to earn the title this season are TE Michael Mayer, LB Bo Bauer, WR Avery Davis, OL Jarrett Patterson, DE Isaiah Foskey, and LB JD Bertrand.
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๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ2022 Captains pic.twitter.com/ZxeHEubM4R
โ Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 26, 2022
MICHAEL MAYER
A 6โ4, 265 pound preseason second-team All-American tight end. Heโs boasted 113 receptions for 1,290 yards and nine touchdowns in his two seasons with the Irish. The bulk of these statistics came from his sophomore season, catching 71 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns. Because of his breakout 2021 season, Mayer currently sits on five preseason watch lists. All things considered, his production this season will be important to the success of the Notre Dame offense.
BO BAUER
A 6โ2, 235 pound graduate student linebacker for the Irish. As the Mike, he serves as the heart of the defense and has never lacked in work ethic or talent. Statistically speaking, Bo has only progressed since his freshman year, ending the 2018 season with just 10 tackles and gradually working harder to eventually collect the sixth most tackles of any Irish defender with 47 total stops.
He boasts 111 career tackles. The mentorship from two NFL veterans has allowed for the progression of Bauer. Defensive Coordinator Al Golden and Graduate Assistant James Laurinaitis have helped to make Bo an effective communicator on and off the field. As the Mike, Bauerโs communication is a key component of this defenses efficiency.
AVERY DAVIS
A 5โ11, 198 pound graduate student wide receiver. Davis recently suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, keeping him sidelined for the 2022 season. This comes just nine months after tearing his ACL in his left knee during a week 10 win over Navy last season.
Davis has had an unorthodox career at Notre Dame. Heโs shown that heโs a team player, taking snaps at multiple positions throughout his tenure. Prior positions played by Davis include QB, RB, and DB before finding his role at receiver. Before his injury, Davis hauled in 27 receptions for 386 yards and four touchdowns. This is his second year as team captain, making him just the 25th two-time captain. Even though heโs battling injury, his experience, selflessness and vocal leadership skills is what makes him a prime candidate for this title.
JARRETT PATTERSON
A 6โ4.5, 310 pound AP first-team preseason All-American offensive lineman for the Fighting Irish. Heโs on three preseason watch lists. He previously took snaps at center, but will be lined up at left guard this season. Patterson is one of just four ND players named to the preseason AP All-American team. He is a veteran on this offensive line.
This is his second year as team captain, going in the books as just the 26th two-time captain. Patterson is currently marked as โquestionableโ for September 3rd with a sprained foot. As a leader on this Notre Dame offensive line, his absence will be felt in the event that he sits out against a very talented Ohio State team.
ISAIAH FOSKEY
A 6โ5, 265 pound AP second-team preseason All-American defensive end for the Irish. Heโs listed on three preseason watch lists this season. Foskey is a HUGE contributor for this Notre Dame defense. Last season he boasted 52 tackles, with more than 70% of those tackles labeled as solo tackles. Heโs coming off of a season where he saw double digit sacks and forced six fumbles. Above all, Foskeyโs energy and production this season will be the driving force for Notre Dameโs run defense.
JD BERTRAND
A 6โ1, 230 pound senior linebacker. After last seasonโs production, he found himself on three preseason watch lists this season. In 2021, he was the only player to break triple digit numbers for stops, boasting 101 total tackles with greater than 60% of his tackles labeled as solo tackles. This comes after a 2020 season that produced only seven total tackles. Bertrand is, undoubtedly, an absolute ball hawk for this Irish defense and has earned his starting role and title as captain.
All in all, these six captains act as role players for this 2022 Notre Dame football team. Theyโre natural leaders through their actions and continue to put in the work in order to noticeably progress every season which is why half of them were chosen for the Associated Press Preseason All-American team. Their hard work shows on the field and in their stat line season after season. All things considered, this group of six have earned their title as captain through their toughness, selflessness, and, above all else, their vocal and exemplified leadership.
Isaiah Foskey
Jarrett Patterson
Brandon Joseph
Michael MayerAssociated Press Preseason All-Americans pic.twitter.com/yZlTGgePrP
โ Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 22, 2022
UP NEXTโฆ
Notre Dame kicks off their football season at Ohio State University next week at 7:30 PM EST. The Buckeyes currently sit as the favorite to win September 3rdโs week 1 matchup.
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