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The Preseason All-America teams continued to roll out and Notre Dame continues to be well represented. Sporting News released its 2026 College Football Preseason All-America team, and the Irish had four players make the list One offensive lineman and three defenders made the list.
Sporting News is one of the five All-America teams that are factored into Unanimous and Consensus All-Americans. Those are determined off the postseason All-America teams, but clearly the Irish have several players on the radar for potential All-America honors in 2026. Notre Dame is tied with Oregon for the second most All-Americans on the Sporting News list.
Cornerback Leonard Moore was one of two first-team All-American defensive backs on the Sporting News list. A Unanimous All-American in 2025, including a first-team All-American honor from Sporting News, Moore goes into the 2026 season as one of the best college football players in the country, regardless of position. Here is what Bill Bender had to say about Moore being on the All-America team:
"Moore (6-2, 197) – a Thorpe Award and Nagurski Trophy finalist last season – is the top defensive player in college football heading into the season. He had five interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2025, but he's more than just an elite cover cornerback. Moore totaled 79 tackles and three forced fumbles in two seasons. Moore was a SN Preseason All-America selection last season, too." - Bill Bender, Sporting News.
Junior safety Brauntae Johnson was also named to the first-team All-America team, joining Moore in the secondary. Johnson earned Freshman All-America honors last season after racking up three picks and three break ups in ten games. A second-year starter, Johnson is expected to emerge as one of the nation's top defensive backs.
"Johnson (6-2, 200), a sophomore, started in 10 games last season and had four interceptions and three pass breakups. He missed just two tackles, according to PFF.com, and that range and athleticism is yet another reason why the Irish will have one of the best secondaries in the FBS this season." - Bender
There are five defensive backs on the Sporting News All-America team, with two from Notre Dame and two from Georgia.
Junior offensive lineman Anthonie Knapp was listed as a second team guard. Big things are expected from the Georgia native as he moves inside after starting the last two seasons at left tackle. Senior linebacker Drayk Bowen was also named to the second team All-America squad from Sporting News. Bowen is the only preseason All-American that isn't part of Notre Dame's 2024 recruiting class.
A pair of Notre Dame opponents also earned All-American honors from Sporting News. Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney was named to the first team and Syracuse cornerback Chris Peal was named to the second team.
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Sporting News is one of the five All-America teams that are factored into Unanimous and Consensus All-Americans. Those are determined off the postseason All-America teams, but clearly the Irish have several players on the radar for potential All-America honors in 2026. Notre Dame is tied with Oregon for the second most All-Americans on the Sporting News list.
Cornerback Leonard Moore was one of two first-team All-American defensive backs on the Sporting News list. A Unanimous All-American in 2025, including a first-team All-American honor from Sporting News, Moore goes into the 2026 season as one of the best college football players in the country, regardless of position. Here is what Bill Bender had to say about Moore being on the All-America team:
"Moore (6-2, 197) – a Thorpe Award and Nagurski Trophy finalist last season – is the top defensive player in college football heading into the season. He had five interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2025, but he's more than just an elite cover cornerback. Moore totaled 79 tackles and three forced fumbles in two seasons. Moore was a SN Preseason All-America selection last season, too." - Bill Bender, Sporting News.
Junior safety Brauntae Johnson was also named to the first-team All-America team, joining Moore in the secondary. Johnson earned Freshman All-America honors last season after racking up three picks and three break ups in ten games. A second-year starter, Johnson is expected to emerge as one of the nation's top defensive backs.
"Johnson (6-2, 200), a sophomore, started in 10 games last season and had four interceptions and three pass breakups. He missed just two tackles, according to PFF.com, and that range and athleticism is yet another reason why the Irish will have one of the best secondaries in the FBS this season." - Bender
There are five defensive backs on the Sporting News All-America team, with two from Notre Dame and two from Georgia.
Junior offensive lineman Anthonie Knapp was listed as a second team guard. Big things are expected from the Georgia native as he moves inside after starting the last two seasons at left tackle. Senior linebacker Drayk Bowen was also named to the second team All-America squad from Sporting News. Bowen is the only preseason All-American that isn't part of Notre Dame's 2024 recruiting class.
A pair of Notre Dame opponents also earned All-American honors from Sporting News. Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney was named to the first team and Syracuse cornerback Chris Peal was named to the second team.
---------
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