As the Notre Dame football team prepares for its first game of the season, it's heading to Miami with six players named as captains for the season. Among those is offensive lineman Aamil Wagner, who might be the most under-the-radar name of the entire group. It seems that getting named one of the captains was even a bit of a surprise to Wagner.
The offensive lineman, who is anchoring a unit that is expected to be among the best in the country, talked this week about what it means to wear that 'C' on his jersey. Wagner said that he was more than a little emotional when he got the word from head coach Marcus Freeman.
Why Aamil Wagner’s Notre Dame football captaincy means more than fans realize
"It's extremely emotional," the Notre Dame player said earlier this week. "I said it in my first piece of the team that it's the greatest honor of my life by far. The ability to serve this team and the people I love the most."
"It's extremely emotional." - Notre Dame OL Aamil Wagner on being named captain pic.twitter.com/FaW4BG7gjy
— Matt Freeman (@mattfreeman05_) August 28, 2025
Wagner was named captain of the Irish alongside junior linebacker Drayk Bowen, redshirt junior defensive tackle Donovan Hinish, redshirt senior wide receiver Will Pauling, redshirt junior guard Billy Schrauth, redshirt sophomore safety Adon Shuler. The offensive lineman is a redshirt junior, which means that should he want it, he could come back in 2026 and try to be a two-time captain.
The Notre Dame football team will need his and the other captains' leadership when they travel to Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. That Aamil Wagner takes the job so seriously is a good sign.