Leonard Moore

Making a case for the best defensive player in the nation, cornerback Leonard Moore has followed up a stellar true freshman season in 2024 with a dominant 2025. A midseason first-team All-American by seven All-America teams, Moore is a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy and the Thorpe Award, and a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

With five interceptions this season through 10 games played for Moore, he ranks second in the country in interceptions per game (0.5). He also ranks third nationally in total interceptions (5) and eighth nationally in passes defended per game (1.2).

He is first among all starting Power 4 cornerbacks in coverage grade (92.6) and first in defensive grade (92.0) according to Pro Football Focus.

Because of his lockdown abilities, Moore has only been targeted by opposing quarterbacks on 12.06 percent of coverage snaps in which he was on the field. For every reception he has allowed this season, he has posted 15.31 coverage snaps.

By the Numbers

Among Power 4 cornerbacks

92.6 Pro Football Focus coverage grade – first
92.0 Pro Football Focus defense grade – first
0.5 interceptions per game – tied, second

Here’s why Leonard Moore is a Nagurski Trophy Finalist

Game-by-Game:

at MIAMI (8/31): Started at cornerback for the Irish…recorded three tackles – one solo, two assisted

TEXAS A&M (9/13): Started at cornerback… had his first interception of the year in the first quarter… broke up two passes

BOISE STATE (10/4): Started at cornerback for the Irish… recorded two interceptions… posted his first-career multi-interception game in an Irish uniform… had one forced fumble… finished with six solo tackles…was the first Irish player since 2023 to record a multi-INT game…was named the Walter Camp FBS Defensive Player of the Week and the Jim Thorpe Award defensive back of the week for his performance

NC STATE (10/11): Started at cornerback… recorded three solo tackles

USC (10/18): Started at cornerback for the Irish… collected three tackles – two solo and one assisted…helped limit the Trojans to just 68 rushing yards on the night…entering the game, USC ranked third in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 45.5 points per game – they were limited to just 24 on the evening…the Trojans entered the game ranked second in the nation in total offense (552.3) and were held more than 150 yards below that clip…was assigned to cover Makai Lemon, and when in coverage of Lemon, allowed just two receptions for 28 yards.

AT BOSTON COLLEGE (11/1): Started at cornerback… recorded five tackles – two solo and three assisted… broke up one pass

NAVY (11/9): Started at cornerback for the Irish… tallied two tackles – one solo and one assisted

at PITTSBURGH (11/15): Started at cornerback… recorded three solo tackles… helped Notre Dame stifle the Pitt offense, which entered the day with the sixth-ranked scoring offense in the country, averaging 39.7 points per game, and were held to just nine points on the day until the very last play of the game…Notre Dame’s defense did not allow Pitt to convert on a single third down…Notre Dame had held Pitt to just 140 yards of total offense with three minutes remaining in the game, when Notre Dame removed their starters from the game.

SYRACUSE (11/22): Started at cornerback… collected one solo tackle and an interception… scored his first-career touchdown on a 46-yard pick six in the first quarter to put Notre Dame up 21-0… The 35 points scored in the first quarter for Notre Dame were the most in the opening quarter in program history, and the defense scored 21 points to open the game without the offense taking the field.

at STANFORD (11/29): Posted an interception, three pass breakups and five total tackles (four solo)… the Cardinal targeted Moore seven times on the evening, and only gained just nine passing yards on those seven targets.