Navarre, Bowman and Diggs Voted 2003 U-M Captains

From MGoBlue.com University of Michigan head football coach Lloyd Carr announced today (Tuesday, Aug. 19) that three fifth-year seniors have been selected by their teammates as captains of the 124th Wolverine football team.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan head football coach Lloyd Carr announced today (Tuesday, Aug. 19) that three fifth-year seniors have been selected by their teammates as captains of the 124th Wolverine football team. Quarterback John Navarre (Cudahy, Wis./Cudahy HS) was selected as the offensive captain, while defensive tackle Grant Bowman (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis De Sales HS) and inside linebacker Carl Diggs (Warren, Ohio/Warren G. Harding HS) will represent the defensive side of the ball.

"The three individuals have received what is in my judgment the greatest single honor that a Michigan football player can earn as they were selected captains in a vote of their teammates," said Carr. "They are three young men of character and possess all the qualities that are admirable in a Michigan captain. Along with an excellent group of seniors, these men will be responsible for providing the leadership that will enable this team to pursue their goals relentlessly and aggressively."

Navarre enters his third season as the starting signal-caller for the Wolverines and is an All-Big Ten, All-America, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm and Davey O'Brien awards candidate. Navarre is a three-year letterman who has played in 37 career games and started 29 contests at quarterback. He leads all Big Ten quarterbacks in career starts (29) and wins (20) and has completed 495-of-910 passes for 5,923 yards and 48 touchdowns during his career. He ranks first all-time in career pass attempts at U-M, second in career completions, second in career yardage and tied for second in career touchdown passes. He needs 28 completions, 538 yards and 24 touchdown in 2003 to set career passing marks at Michigan. Navarre looks to join Rick Leach as the only quarterbacks in school history to start four season openers.

Bowman is a three-year letterman and returning starter along the defensive front. He has played in 34 career games and made 14 starts, accumulating 51 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, eight sacks and two fumble recoveries. Bowman earned the 2002 Dick Katcher Award as the team's top defensive lineman after registering a career-best 23 tackles, eight TFLs and four sacks.

Diggs is the active leading tackler with 135 career stops, including 21 TFLs, three pass breakups, one sack and one interception. He recorded a career-best 63 stops last season despite missing the second half of the Ohio State game and the Outback Bowl against Florida due to injury. Diggs is a three-year letterman who has played in 36 career games and made 15 starting assignments.

The trio leads the Wolverines into a 12-game schedule that kicks off with three straight home games. U-M begins its 124th season by hosting Central Michigan on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Michigan Stadium (12:10 p.m. EDT on ESPN Plus).