Junior safety Kyle Hamilton, grad transfer guard Cain Madden and junior running back Kyren Williams were are all named to the Associated Press first-team preseason All-America squad. Senior center Jarrett Patterson earned second team honors. Williams was honored as an all-purpose player.

Hamilton is Notre Dame’s marquee defensive player, earning first-team All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America last season. A first-team All-ACC selection as well, Hamilton finished last season with 63 tackles, an interception, six pass breakups and 4.5 tackles for losses.

Williams, a 2021 Maxwell Award watch list player, rushed for 1,125 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2020. He also caught 35 passes for 313 yards and another score.

Madden, a Marshall transfer, was a Walter Camp second team All-American selection last season. He started 31 career games for the Thundering Herd.

Patterson, a third team all ACC selection, has 21 career starts for the Irish. He is expected to anchor the Irish line this season.

Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge

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