The future is bright in South Bend, and Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman not being afraid to play freshman has paid off big dividends. While the team is heavy on veterans for the current season, there’s going to be a bit of a youth movement when it come to 2025.
Late last week, ESPN’s Tom Luginbill named three Irish freshman as All-Americans, according to Fighting Irish Wire, offensive tackle Anthonie Knapp, linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, and defensive back Leonard Moore all earned those honors.
Among the Notre Dame football trio, Knapp has been a day-one starter as Luginbill credited his early enrollment and “acumen” as to why he was so successful during his first season with Notre Dame. Viliamu-Asa has been great, as he said that what put him on the list was his “size and length to rush off the edge, but he’s also been effective as a run-stopper and even flashed in coverage.”
Notre Dame football youngsters stand out for ESPN All-American team
As for Moore, he’s also been impressive in multiple phases of his game. Luginbill highlighted his “ball skills and a penchant for disruptive plays,” as a big reason why Moore was named as an All-American.
Moore of course, has impressed a lot of people as he’s had to step in to take over for Benjamin Morrison, after the veteran defensive back went down with injury.
The future for Notre Dame football is indeed bright. And all three of those young studs could even make an impact on Wednesday night when the Sugar Bowl kicks off.