After being left out of the College Football Playoff in 2025, Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman plan to leave it on all the field next season.
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The Fighting Irish want to leave nothing to chance in 2026. To do that, they need all of their players giving their best performances week in and week out.
Notre Dame’s offense should be good next season with CJ Carr returning for his second season as the starter. He’ll have a veteran receiver corps to work with.
The defense hopes to be better in big games in Chris Ash’s second season as the defensive coordinator than they were against Miami and Texas A&M last season. One key contributor to the defense should help fuel a run to the CFP.
Chris Low of On3 is projecting cornerback Leonard Moore to become an All-American in 2026.
“Moore is the top returning defensive back in the nation,” Low wrote. “He had five interceptions a year ago after picking off two passes as a true freshman. When teams do throw Moore’s way, he’s a blanket.
“Over his two seasons with the Irish, he’s allowed just 4.8 yards per target. He moved to the slot against USC’s Makai Lemon last season and held him to two catches for 28 yards.”
Notre Dame needs Leonard Moore to have a big year
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Moore, a native of Round Rock, Texas, is set to play in his third season for Notre Dame. He’s played in 26 games and started 20, recording 79 total tackles, three forced fumbles, 25 passes defensed, and seven interceptions.
Last season, Freeman praised Moore for his ability to lockdown the best wide receiver of the opponent.
“He is as good as I have been around at the position,” Freeman said, via Sports Illustrated. “We have had discussions if we need to match him up with the best wide receiver where he’s at, we will. You also have to be able to do that and play some zone.”
Moore is facing one obstacle this offseason. Highly respected cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens is leaving the Irish to join the Baltimore Ravens under new head coach Jesse Minter. With Mickens gone, Notre Dame will rely on Moore to lead the secondary in 2026.
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