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Notre Dame Makes Significant Leonard Moore Announcement Before National Title Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Audilet | Last updated Jan 15, 2025 3:40 PM ET

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game with a win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl this past Thursday.

Now, Marcus Freeman and his team are primed for a national-title matchup against Ryan Day and the red-hot Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Fighting Irish have their full attention focused toward Monday's national title game. But on Wednesday, the team received news of a significant honor for one of their best defensive players.

First-year cornerback Leonard Moore has been named the Football Writers Association of America Freshman Defensive Player of the Year.

Notre Dame took to social media to share this news with a special announcement.

"Congratulations to Leonard Moore on being named FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year," the team wrote on X.

1️⃣5️⃣

Congratulations to Leonard Moore on being named FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/Cj7p7vFbPH
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 15, 2025

Moore, a true freshman out of Round Rock, Texas, joined Freeman's Notre Dame program as a four-star recruit in the 2024 class. Through 15 games in the first year of his college football career, he's recorded 43 tackles, two interceptions, 10 passes defended and two forced fumbles.

"Leonard Moore is the best freshman defensive player in the country," Notre Dame added in a separate post, along with a highlight compilation from Moore's 2024 season.

Leonard Moore is the best freshman defensive player in the country ☘️#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/AZ4SlLbLb3
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 15, 2025