Northwestern announces Clayton Thorson, Montre Hartage, Tommy Doles and Paddy Fisher as captains

Northwestern announced its four captains for the 2018 season Thursday night on Twitter: Clayton Thorson, Tommy Doles, Montre Hartage and sophomore Paddy Fisher.

Normally announced at Meet the Team night (which is this Friday), Fitzgerald tweeted the team’s captains — as voted on by their teammates — Monday night.

Thorson, now a two-time captain, enters his fourth season as the winningest quarterback in Northwestern history. He’s tied for the program lead in touchdowns thrown, and enters the season coming off of a torn ACL in the Music City bowl this past December. With Justin Jackson gone, Thorson is the definitive face of the offense.

Tommy Doles has started every game for the Wildcats the past two seasons at guard, and has an infectious positivity about him. He’ll lead an offensive line that is as experienced as it’s been in recent memory.

Hartage becomes a captain after being the last player to sign with NU in his recruiting class, originally committing to Georgia Southern. He’s developed into a shutdown corner during his time in Evanston, and should shadow opponents’ top receivers this season. Hartage has eight career interceptions.

The biggest surprise of the four captains is Fisher, mostly because he’s only a sophomore. Fisher has come a long way since his days in Katy, Texas, and broke out last season as one of the best linebackers in the country as a redshirt freshman. Thorson and Anthony Walker Jr. were both captains as non-seniors, but not as sophomores.

Northwestern opens its season Aug. 30 at Purdue.