As excitement builds for the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl, both Oregon and Indiana have added even more star power to the matchup by announcing their honorary captains. Former Oregon running back and NFL standout Jonathan Stewart will represent the Ducks, while Indiana will be represented by MLB All-Star and World Series champion Kyle Schwarber.
The honorary captains will take part in the pregame coin toss at midfield before kickoff on Friday, Jan. 9. The game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. PT start and will air nationally on ESPN. With a spot in the national championship on the line, the Peach Bowl is shaping up to be one of the biggest games in program history for both schools.
Oregon’s honorary captain for the Peach Bowl is Jonathan Stewart, MVP of the 2007 Sun Bowl, in which the Ducks were ravaged by injury late in the season but embraced the "next man up" mentality and found a way to come out victorious. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/C763KaTk2I
— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) January 7, 2026
For Oregon, Jonathan Stewart is a fitting choice. Stewart starred for the Ducks from 2005 to 2007 and was one of the most dominant running backs in school history. During his college career, he rushed for nearly 2,900 yards and scored 27 touchdowns, earning First-Team All-American honors twice. His success at Oregon led to him being selected 13th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.
Stewart went on to enjoy a long and productive NFL career, spending 11 seasons in the league. He rushed for over 7,300 yards, scored 51 rushing touchdowns, and added more than 1,200 receiving yards. His best professional season came in 2015, when he earned a Pro Bowl selection and helped lead Carolina to a Super Bowl appearance.
Indiana’s honorary captain, Kyle Schwarber, brings star power from outside the football world but represents the Hoosiers with pride. A standout at Indiana from 2012–2014, Schwarber was a first-team All-American before being selected No. 4 overall in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs. Since reaching the major leagues, he has established himself as one of baseball’s premier power hitters.
IU baseball alum Kyle Schwarber will be Indiana’s honorary captain for the #CFAPeachBowl on Friday. Pic.twitter.com/rZ61xSn6kR
— Pete Byrne WSBT (@PeteByrneSports) January 7, 2026
Now a key piece of the Philadelphia Phillies, Schwarber has compiled 340 career home runs and earned All-Star selections in 2021, 2022, and 2025. He also led the National League in home runs in both 2022 and 2025 and finished last season as MLB’s RBI leader, further cementing his status as one of the game’s most impactful sluggers.
With Stewart and Schwarber representing their schools at midfield, the Peach Bowl carries even more significance. The winner will advance to the national championship game to face either Miami or Ole Miss, making this semifinal a defining moment for both programs. With iconic alumni on hand and a title shot at stake, the stage is set for a special night in Atlanta.
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