SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Junior cornerback Leonard Moore has been named a Lott IMPACT Trophy Quarterfinalist, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top defensive player who also makes an impact off the field.
Moore has been targeted just 13 times in his five games this season, breaking up four passes while recording eight solo tackles. He was named to the 2026 AP Preseason All-America First Team back in August and has since been named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and a Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist since then. He was also named to the AP Midseason All-America First Team earlier today.
As a unit, the Irish defense leads the nation in total defense, allowing just 214.2 yards per game, more than 25 yards fewer than the next-closest team. Notre Dame has also allowed just 11.0 points per game, the fewest among teams that have faced at least four Power Four opponents this season.
Semifinalists will be announced in mid-November, with the winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy determined by a national voter poll. The award will be presented Dec. 9 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. Notre Dame has one previous Lott IMPACT Trophy winner, linebacker Manti Te’o, who earned the honor in 2012.