CHICAGO -- Gophers coach Jerry Kill said Monday that the team won't officially name captains until after two-a-day practices are finished, but Kill made it clear quarterback Mitch Leidner and safety Cedric Thompson are logical choices.

"I think it's pretty obvious with what those two kids have done," Kill said after leaving the podium at Big Ten Media Days. "I don't know if we need any more leadership. Those two kids have done an unbelievable job in the summer.

"Mitch has been incredible. And really, I give kudos to Cedric, because he came in and said, 'Hey, I want the responsibility. I don't care what anybody thinks of me, I want to win and do it now.' So that excites me a whole bunch."

Last year, the Gophers had four captains -- Josh Campion, Aaron Hill, Brock Vereen and Ra'Shede Hageman. Campion, a junior offensive tackle, is the only one of the four who returns this fall.

I'll have much more from Chicago in tonight's first editions.