Notre Dame’s defense already has a headliner, and it’s Leonard Moore.
After a sophomore season that turned him into one of college football’s most recognizable shutdown corners, Moore has now been tabbed by PFF as the No. 1 returning cornerback in the country for 2026. That fits right in with the broader buzz around the Irish star, who has also been labeled by ESPN as the No. 1 overall defender in college football.
PFF’s Max Chadwick made the case in blunt terms, pointing to just how fast Moore has climbed.
"Moore's first two seasons have been better than those of any cornerback in the PFF College era," Chadwick explained. "According to PFF's wins above average metric, he ranked as the third-most valuable cornerback in the nation as a true freshman in 2024, trailing only 2025 first-round picks Travis Hunter and Jahdae Barron.
"Moore earned a nation-leading 91.8 PFF grade as a sophomore and was PFF's pick for the Jim Thorpe Award as college football's top defensive back," Chadwick continued about Notre Dame's star cornerback. "He has recorded seven career interceptions and projects as one of the best cornerback prospects in recent memory."
At 6-2 and 197 pounds, Moore backed up the hype in 2025 even while missing two games with an ankle injury. He was named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, the Bronko Nagurski Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award and the LOTT Impact Trophy after a season that built on what he had already shown as a true freshman in 2024.
The ball production stood out, too. Notre Dame finished No. 1 in the country in total interceptions with 21, and Moore accounted for five of them. His biggest splash came against Boise State, when he picked off two passes - a career high - and earned both Walter Camp FBS Defensive Player of the Week honors and the Jim Thorpe Award Defensive Back of the Week award.
That run ended with Moore being named a Unanimous All-American as a true sophomore.
And he isn’t carrying the secondary alone. Notre Dame brings back safeties Adon Shuler and Brauntae Johnson, both of whom have All-America potential, while third-year starter Christian Gray also returns and is working at nickel this fall.
The result is a defensive backfield with serious star power, real depth and plenty of experience. Moore is the name at the top, but the Irish secondary looks built to challenge anyone in the country this season.
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