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This Notre Dame season has been shaped by resiliency and determination. The loss to Northern Illinois University (NIU) prompted
many college football followers to count the Irish out. Despite this shocking upset, the Irish were able to regroup and win 10 straight
games to finish the regular season 11-1. A lot of credit is deservedly given to head coach Marcus Freeman, along with the rest of the
coaching staff. The older, more experienced players on the roster such as All-American safety Xavier Watts and dual-threat quarterback
Riley Leonard became strong stabilizers. A less obvious, yet crucial group of contributors to this run has been the first-year class. They
have contributed from a variety of positions, including running back Aneyas Williams, the team’s primary third-down back, and linebacker
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa. Viliamu-Asa has been a key run defender in the Notre Dame defensive scheme, which relies heavily on linebackers. Furthermore, there have been significant contributions from freshmen Leonard Moore and Anthonie Knapp, both of whom have strongly influenced the team’s success. By analyzing their unique skills and how they complemented the broader efforts of the team, this discussion will highlight how these players helped shape critical moments of the season.
Leonard Moore
Moore was rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the 42nd cornerback in the 2024 class, according to 247 Sports. He excelled in basketball and track in high school, having a diverse athletic background. Listed at 6’2 and 191 lbs., his unique combination of size and speed was highly coveted. That being said, he was incredibly raw, according to his trainer. “He was completely raw when I first met him,” Bernard “Bam” Blake, Moore’s trainer, said in a recent phone interview. “We had to go from ground up on everything, whether it be his man footwork, his press footwork, his hip transitions, his transitions in and out of breaks, just his overall IQ of the game.” Moore was praised for his work ethic and ability to be coachable.
This quickly caught the attention of Benjamin Morrison, a preseason All-American CB and likely first-round NFL draft pick, who made headlines with a bold prediction about Moore’s future. Morrison confidently declared that Moore would ultimately become a better CB than himself — a shocking statement given Morrison’s decorated career and Moore’s relative obscurity at the time. Morrison’s words reflected the potential Moore exhibited during practices and his willingness to grow. When Morrison suffered a season-ending hip injury against Stanford, the stage was set for Moore to step up significantly, filling the void left by one of the best defensive backs in the country. Despite the enormous pressure, Moore embraced the challenge and excelled in ways that exceeded expectations, becoming a critical piece of an Al Golden defense built on toughness and physicality.
Moore’s performance throughout the season was extraordinary, particularly for a player still inexperienced entering the year. He was nearly impenetrable in coverage, allowing a mere 59.9 passer rating when targeted. His contributions weren’t limited to the passing game, as he proved to be a force in the run game, consistently making physical tackles and showing a willingness to take on blocks — traits essential to Golden’s philosophy. Moore’s ability to match up with physical receivers stemmed from his unique physical tools, including his 6’2 frame and long wingspan, which allowed him to disrupt routes and win battles at the line of scrimmage. However, what truly set Moore apart was his rapid development in football IQ and technique, areas that had initially been identified as weaknesses.
Throughout the season, Moore made significant strides in his ability to read quarterbacks and avoid being baited by offensive misdirection, showcasing a level of discipline and awareness that belied his inexperience. His ability to press receivers at the line gave even the most skilled opponents fits. At the same time, his refined footwork, hip transitions and break recognition highlighted his growing mastery of the position. These improvements were so impressive that Blake described him as the “ultimate corner,” praising his work ethic and capacity to absorb coaching. With his unique combination of physical gifts and technical refinement, Moore transformed from an unpolished talent into a cornerstone of the defense, fulfilling Morrison’s lofty prediction and establishing himself as a rising star in college football.
Anthonie Knapp
While the coaching staff was ecstatic about Knapp’s commitment, no one expected that he would start the season’s first game. He began getting reps as the center and practiced snapping with Ashton Craig, the starting center, during practice. Knapp learned the entire playbook at tackle and center, a challenging feat given the complexities of the offense and his youth. Even while climbing the depth chart to be the second-string left tackle, offensive line coach Joe Rudolph still considered Knapp a future interior lineman. Rudolph was quick to praise Knapp’s quick adaptation and coachability. “Knapp’s development has been pretty remarkable outside, and he’s really a consistent football player... not many freshmen come in and can play like that, especially against this defense and this volume.”
Despite his improvement, Knapp was still slated to only provide backup to one of the most elite units in the country. This quickly changed when starting tackle Charles Jagusah suffered a regular season-ending shoulder injury. Tosh Baker was initially projected to replace him, but Knapp impressed the staff enough to earn the role. His first start would be against Texas A&M, a stellar defensive line featuring edge Nic Scourton, an electric pass rusher projected to be in the top 10 picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Some expressed concern regarding the choice to start such a young player in a key position against one of the most dynamic defensive lines in the country in an incredibly hostile environment. Despite all the pressure on him, Knapp has no doubt stepped up.
Under his protection, Notre Dame’s offensive line was named a semifinalist for the 2024 Joe Moore Award, recognizing the top offensive line in college football. The team achieved impressive rushing statistics, including a 6.30 yards-per-carry average, the best in the Power 4 conferences. Additionally, the Irish ranked second among Power 4 programs with 40 rushing touchdowns. Knapp’s performance earned him Freshman All-American honors from multiple media outlets. His early enrollment and rapid development were instrumental in his seamless transition to the collegiate level, where he consistently demonstrated resilience and skill against top-tier defenses.
Without the key contributions of the underclassmen enlisted this year, Notre Dame would not have made it to the national championship, and the ability of young players to step up has been instrumental to the team’s success. Moore, Knapp, and the rest of the group have no doubt set a strong foundational piece that will be built upon in years to come.