SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Junior offensive lineman Anthonie Knapp and junior linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa were selected to the 2026 Midseason Watch List for the Lombardi Award, presented to outstanding linemen and linebackers who best epitomize his values of leadership, courage, performance, and discipline on and off the field. Both Knapp and Viliamu-Asa were named to the initial watch list back in August.
Notre Dame has had five winners of the Lombardi Award: DE Walt Patulski (1971), DE Ross Browner (1977), DT Chris Zorich (1990), OL Aaron Taylor (1993) and LB Manti Te’o (2012). Notre Dame student-athletes who were finalists for the Lombardi Award include OG Larry DiNardo (1970), DL Steve Niehaus (1975), DL Ross Browner (1976), TE Ken MacAfee (1977), LB Bob Crable (1981), DL Chris Zorich (1989), OT Aaron Taylor (1992) and OT Joe Alt (2023).
Knapp has started all six games this season at left guard and has started all 33 games in which he has played in.
Behind Knapp and the offensive line, the Irish have scored 44.0 points per game, the fourth-best mark in the nation this season. In pass protection, Knapp and the Irish offensive line have been dominant, allowing just two sacks this season, tied for the second fewest allowed in the FBS. In the win over Stanford last Saturday, Notre Dame rushed for a season-best 361 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry behind the backs of Knapp and the offensive line.
Viliamu-Asa has played in four games this season. He's recorded 13 tackles (seven solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a fumble recovery and a pair of quarterback hurries. The Irish defense has been dominant through the first six games of the season, leading the country in total defense at 214.2 yards per game, more than 25 yards fewer than the next-closest team. The 11.0 points allowed this season are the fewest among teams that have faced at least four Power Four opponents this season.
The second-ranked Irish hit the road Saturday for a top-10 showdown against eighth-ranked BYU. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.