Naval Academy head football coach Brian Newberry announced on Sunday at the annual Navy Football Senior Salute that rising seniors Lirion Murtezi and Will Harbour have been voted team captains for the 2023 season by their teammates.

"Our players have spoken and I couldn't be more pleased with the two captains they have chosen to lead and represent our program," said Newberry.  "Player led teams are the best teams and Will and Lirion will be exceptional in their roles both on the field and in Bancroft Hall. They personify everything that the Naval Academy and Navy Football are all about."

"It's a huge honor to be selected team captain," said Murtezi.  I'm thankful for all of my teammates and I'm excited for this year."

"It's truly an honor to be named team captain by my teammates," said Harbour.  "I'm excited for the opportunity we have as a team this year and I can't wait for the fall."

Murtezi, a 6-3, 328-pound center from Pittsburgh via Kosovo, has played in 24-consecutive games for the Mids along the offensive line, making nine starts. He started the final six games of the 2022 campaign.

Murtezi, who moved to Pittsburgh from Pristina, Kosovo in 2006, was a team captain at North Hills High School his junior and senior years.

Harbour, a 6-1, 230-pound linebacker from Frisco, Texas, has played in 17 games over his career including 10 starts.  Last year, he started seven games and finished with 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and 1 sack. 

In his career, Harbour has recorded 51 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks.  Harbour was team captain his senior year at Rick Reedy High School in Frisco.

Navy will open the 2023 campaign against Notre Dame on Aug. 26 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland before returning home to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Sept. 9 against Wagner. Tickets are on sale now at navysports.com: https://tinyurl.com/yhhaud4u or by calling 1-800-US4-NAVY.