Pro Football Focus just dropped its top 101 college football players from the 2025 season, and Notre Dame fans have plenty to be proud of. Four Fighting Irish players made the cut - two on offense, two on defense - and each of them left a serious mark on the national stage. Whether it was explosive playmaking, shutdown coverage, sideline-to-sideline tackling, or poised quarterbacking, Notre Dame had stars at every level of the field.
Let’s break down how each of these standouts earned their spot on PFF’s elite list - and what it says about the direction of the program.
No. 3 - Jeremiyah Love, RB
Jeremiyah Love didn’t just have a good junior season - he had the kind of year that cements a legacy.
Love wrapped up his college career with a dazzling 2025 campaign, finishing third in Heisman voting, taking home the Doak Walker Award, and earning unanimous All-American honors. He was the engine of Notre Dame’s offense, and the numbers back it up: 1,372 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns, and a jaw-dropping 6.9 yards per carry. Add in 27 receptions for 280 yards and three more scores, and you’ve got a complete back who could hurt defenses in every way imaginable.
According to PFF, Love wasn’t just the best running back in the country - he was the highest-graded offensive player in all of college football with a 93.1 mark. That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. He was a home-run threat every time he touched the ball, ranking second among Power Four players in explosive runs (39) and rushing touchdowns (18).
What really separated Love, though, was his ability to create after contact. He racked up 896 yards after first contact - third-best in the Power Four - showing off the blend of power, balance, and vision that makes him a projected top-10 NFL Draft pick. He’s no longer on the Irish roster heading into 2026, but his legacy is secure.
No. 8 - Leonard Moore, CB
Leonard Moore missed two games with an ankle injury in 2025, but when he was on the field, he was nothing short of dominant.
The sophomore cornerback followed up his breakout freshman campaign - where he was named FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year - with an even more impressive sophomore season. In 10 games, Moore tallied 31 tackles, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble, and five interceptions, which tied him for fifth nationally.
PFF gave Moore the highest coverage grade of any cornerback in the Power Four, and his overall defensive grade of 91.8 was tops among defensive backs in the country. He was a finalist for both the Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award and earned unanimous All-American honors.
One of his signature moments came against USC. Lined up in the slot against Makai Lemon - widely considered the top receiver in the country - Moore limited him to just two catches on three targets for 28 yards. That’s the kind of lockdown performance that turns heads in NFL front offices.
With elite instincts, physicality, and technique, Moore has established himself as one of the premier defensive players in college football. And he’s only getting better.
No. 35 - Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa was the heartbeat of Notre Dame’s defense in 2025, and his versatility made him a nightmare for opposing offenses.
In 11 games, the sophomore linebacker racked up 48 tackles - 7.5 of them for loss - along with 3.0 sacks, two pass deflections, and an interception. He lined up all over the field for defensive coordinator Chris Ash, and his impact was felt in every phase of the game.
Unfortunately, Viliamu-Asa suffered a knee injury in a blowout win over Syracuse on Senior Day, but that didn’t diminish the body of work he put together. He finished the season as the third-highest-ranked linebacker on PFF’s list, with an overall grade of 89.2 - second-best among Power Four linebackers. His 94.0 run-defense grade led all linebackers in the FBS.
He wasn’t just stuffing the run, either. Viliamu-Asa added 23 pressures and four sacks as a pass rusher, showing off his ability to get after the quarterback as well. That kind of all-around game makes him one of the most complete linebackers in the country heading into 2026 - and a name to watch on every preseason award list.
No. 74 - CJ Carr, QB
CJ Carr stepped into the spotlight as a redshirt freshman - and didn’t blink.
In his first year as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback, Carr completed 66.7% of his passes (195 of 293) for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. He averaged 9.4 yards per attempt, which tied him for third in the nation, and showed a level of poise and decision-making well beyond his years.
PFF gave Carr an 83.5 passing grade, ranking him 14th nationally and 12th among quarterbacks on their top-101 list. That’s an impressive debut, and it’s no surprise he’s entering the 2026 season as one of the early Heisman favorites.
Carr’s ability to stretch the field, read defenses, and protect the football gives Notre Dame a steady, high-ceiling presence under center. With a full offseason to build on his breakout year, expectations will be sky-high - and with good reason.
The Big Picture
Four players in the top 101. A unanimous All-American on both sides of the ball. A Heisman finalist, a shutdown corner, a do-it-all linebacker, and a rising star at quarterback.
Notre Dame’s 2025 season wasn’t just about wins and losses - it was about star power and development. These four players didn’t just shine individually; they helped set the tone for a program that’s building toward something special. And with Carr, Moore, and Viliamu-Asa all returning, the foundation is firmly in place for another big year in South Bend.