Leonard Moore Named Preseason All-American By Lindy's Sports

For the third season in a row, a Notre Dame cornerback has been listed on a Lindy's preseason All-American team. Heading in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Benjamin Morrison was listed as a second-team All-American. Now, rising star Leonard Moore has been listed as a preseason first-team All-American after a breakout season last fall. 

Moore rotated in on defense during their first four games and earned the first start of his career against Louisville when fellow cornerback Christian Gray was ruled out with a hand injury. Gray and Morrison started together for just one more game against Stanford until Moore stepped into the lineup permanently. 

He burst onto the scene replacing Morrison in the starting lineup after he was lost for the season due to a hip injury. Moore took over as the full time starter in the boundary against Georgia Tech and never looked back. His breakout performance earned him a spot on the FWAA Freshman All-American Team. Moore was also named the FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year. 

In 2024, he led the team in passes defended with 11, recorded 48 total tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and allowed an opponent completion percentage of 46.4 which was the lowest of any player in the secondary who played more than 200 snaps outside of Morrison. 

Moore didn't allow a single touchdown reception in the post season and played a big role in Penn State's receivers ending the game with zero receptions for zero yards in the Orange Bowl. In the playoffs, the Texas native was targeted 20 times and only allowed seven receptions for a total of 64 yards across four games. 

At 6-2, Moore provides a lot of size and length in the boundary. He's a nature cover athlete that can make plays around the line of scrimmage as well as stops in the run game. He has elite track speed which was showcased against Louisville in his first start, recording a forced fumble when he stripped quarterback Tyler Shough from behind halting a 46 yard scamper. 

This season, he's slated to be the best cornerback in the nation by multiple outlets including Lindy's. The task in front of Moore is a difficult one, he will no longer be the flashy true freshman. Instead, he will step into the lineup on a weekly basis with his name circled on opponent scouting reports. If Moore is able to perform the way he's capable of this season, there's no question he will end the year as the best cornerback in college football. 

Two Notre Dame opponents were also named on Lindy's All-American teams. Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis was named a first team All-American and Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. was named a second team All-American.