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Defensive Leadership Mirrors Notre Dame’s 2012 Title Game Team

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When Brian Kelly sat down with his list of potential team captains for this season, the Irish head coach faced a desirable dilemma.

“I probably could have named ten,” Kelly said. “Seriously.”

On a team void of exceptional leadership last season when steady linebacker Joe Schmidt smashed his ankle in Game Eight and was lost for the year, it’s encouraging news for the Irish to have so many captain candidates emerge this preseason.

“I had it whittled down to seven [players],” Kelly added. “I was trying to make a case for seven.