SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Sophomore cornerback Leonard Moore has been tabbed as a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top defensive player who also makes an impact off the field.
Moore has made a significant impact in just four games played this season, named to the midseason All-America teams from The Sporting News, The Athletic, CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated.
Moore, already with three interceptions on the season, has posted five passes defended, 12 tackles, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in just four games played. With Moore’s help, Notre Dame ranks tied for second in the nation in total interceptions (11) and eighth in the country in turnover margin (1.00).
Two of Moore’s interceptions came in the same game vs. Boise State, a career-best performance. For his performance that week, he was named the Walter Camp FBS Defensive Player of the Week and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Defensive Back of the Week. He became the first Notre Dame player to have multiple interceptions in the same game since 2023 (Xavier Watts).
The 2024 FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, Moore entered the 2025 season with several accolades, as he was named to the Preseason All-America First Team lists by Walter Camp, The Sporting News, the Associated Press, The Athletic, ESPN, CBS Sports, Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. He has also been named to patch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, Chuck Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy.