Graduate defensive linemen Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills, and senior tight end Mitchell Evans, have all been named to the 2024 Lombardi Award Watch List. This accolade continues to honor the outstanding college football lineman, whether on offense or defense, who displays exceptional performance and ability and embodies the character and discipline that Vince Lombardi championed throughout his life.
OL Joe Alt was a finalist for the award in 2023. Five Notre Dame players have earned the honor throughout its history: DE Walt Patulski (1971), DE Ross Browner (1977), DT Chris Zorich (1990), OL Aaron Taylor (1993) and LB Manti Te’o (2012).
In 2023, Cross III and Mills helped Notre Dame to become the nation’s top pass-efficiency defense (97.09), the program’s best effort since 1980 (4th), and the fifth-overall defense (276.3).
Cross III piled up 66 stops in 2023, which ranked second among all Power 5 front-four defensive lineman. This 2024 preseason, he has earned selection to watch lists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, the Bednarik Award, the Outland Trophy, the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Nagurski Trophy. He has been named a preseason First Team All-American by USA TODAY, Sporting News and Walter Camp.
A 2023 Bednarik Award semifinalist, Cross III announced his status as a premiere defensive player in the country during the come-from-behind battle at No. 17 Duke on September 30. Leading the Irish with 13 tackles, Cross III also forced two fumbles (including the game-clinching fumble with 0:27 remaining) and claimed national defensive player of the week honors from Walter Camp, the Bednarik Award and the Senior Bowl. Cross III earned Second Team All-America honors from FWAA, Walter Camp, the Associated Press and The Sporting News in 2023.
Also named to the 2024 Outland Trophy Watch List, Mills played and started in all 13 games in his senior season (2023). He finished the season with 47 tackles (22 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Mills also earned four quarterback hurries and recovered a pair of fumbles
A member of the 2024 Sporting News Preseason All-America Second Team, Evans had a breakout season in 2023 before being sidelined with an injury. He played in eight games as a junior, starting seven, and ended the season as the team’s top receiving target, averaging 52.8 yards per game. Through those eight games, Evans totaled 29 receptions for 422 yards and a touchdown during the season, averaging 14.6 yards per catch. Evans has also been named to the 2024 watch lists for the Mackey Award, the Biletnikoff Award and the Comeback Player of the Year.