Notre Dame's roster is packed with talent, but when it comes to universal respect, few can rival defensive back Leonard Moore. With the buzz surrounding the upcoming release of EA Sports College Football 27, Moore's name is already creating waves. His in-game rating has crowned him the highest-rated defensive back in the nation.
As the game's launch approaches, developer Electronic Arts has been teasing fans with sneak peeks of the game's features, including the top-ranked players by position. Among defensive backs, Moore stands tall with an impressive overall rating of 97. This accolade not only makes him the top defensive back but also the second-highest-rated player among the more than 9,000 athletes featured in the game.
Last year, Moore was rated a 96 in College Football 26, and this year he nudged up a notch, maintaining his status as Notre Dame's premier defensive player. He's also the only player in the top five who isn't part of the SEC, and the only one in the top seven not hailing from the SEC or Big Ten.
So, who exactly is Leonard Moore outshining in the college football realm? The list of defensive backs he's rated above is nothing short of stellar:
- Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore: 97
- Texas Tech’s Brice Pollock: 93
- Alabama’s Zabien Brown: 92
- Oregon’s Brandon Finney Jr: 91
- Mississippi State’s Kelley Jones: 91
- Indiana’s Jamari Sharpe: 91
- Michigan’s Jyaire Hill: 91
- USC’s Jontez Williams: 91
- Georgia’s Ellis Robinson: 90
- BYU’s Evan Johnson: 90
It's not just that Moore is the top-rated defensive back and second only to Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smit, who boasts a 99 rating. It's the margin by which Moore leads his peers that truly stands out. He's a full four points ahead of Pollock, with the rest of the pack separated by just three points, each step down being only a single rating point.
While a video game rating might not directly translate to on-field achievements, it certainly underscores the respect Moore has garnered throughout his career. Even his peers, like Smith, have acknowledged his prowess, with Smith recently lauding Moore as the best defensive back he's ever faced.
As the season looms, Leonard Moore has the opportunity to build on this respect, both in the digital realm and on the actual gridiron. Keep an eye on this Fighting Irish standout as he continues to make his mark.
In Other News...
Former Notre Dame QB Sends CJ Carr A Telling Message
Kenny Mincheys move out of South Bend was always going to leave a little ripple behind, given how long he had been part of Notre Dames quarterback room and how many different faces he watched cycle through it. After backing up the likes of Sam Hartman, Riley Leonard, Steve Angeli and then CJ Carr, Minchey decided a fresh start was the best path for him, a choice that also closed the book on a stint that included 10 games in an Irish uniform.
Even after leaving, Minchey made it clear theres no bitterness attached to the quarterback battle he lost. He offered support for Carr and Notre Dame heading into the season, while also pointing to Kentuckys coaching staff and quarterback development as the reasons he felt comfortable making the jump. It is the kind of message that says plenty about both sides of the decision, and leaves Carr with a former teammate still pulling for him from a distance. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Just Got Shut Out Of A QB Race That Mattered
Notre Dame already has one quarterback in its future plans, with Trey Tagliaferri committed as the Fighting Irishs 2028 recruit, but the next layer of the position board has turned in a different direction. Kingston Preyear had been one of the more important names for the Irish to track, given his profile as a highly rated quarterback prospect and the kind of arm talent that can shape an entire class.
Preyear is now set to choose from Alabama, Florida and Vanderbilt when he announces his commitment on July 10, leaving Notre Dame on the outside of a race it had hoped to stay in. For a program that is always balancing long-term depth with high-end upside at quarterback, the narrowing of that list matters almost as much as the decision itself. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Closing In On A Defensive Recruiting Statement
Notre Dame has already landed offensive lineman Albert Simien for its 2027 class, and the momentum around that group appears to be building on the defensive side as well. The Irish are reportedly in position to add linebacker Roman Igwebuike and defensive tackle Brayden Parks, two prospects who would give the class a much different feel if both follow through.
Igwebuike brings the kind of national profile Notre Dame wants in a linebacker target, with several programs still in the mix, while Parks has emerged as a priority along the defensive front. If the Irish can finish the job on both recruits, it would amount to a meaningful early statement for a 2027 class that is starting to take shape with some real upside. [Read more 🡒]