The Jim Thorpe Award has been one of the morer elusive pieces of hardware for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Can Leonard Moore bring this thing home?
Moore Tabbed to Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Junior cornerback Leonard Moore was tabbed to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, an award given annually to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
Moore was a finalist for the award in 2025, joining cornerback
Bobby Taylor in 1993 and cornerback Todd Lyght in 1989 as the three Thorpe Award finalists in Notre Dame history.
An unanimous All-American last season, Moore started 10 games for the Irish and led the team with five interceptions, the seventh-most in the country. He added 31.0 total tackles, forced one fumble and broke up seven passes.
Already named to the Walter Camp and Sporting News Preseason First Team All-America team this summer, Moore earned a 91.8 PFF grade and a 92.5 coverage grade last season, both leading the nation. When targeted by opposing quarterbacks, he allowed just a 45.9 passer rating.
The Round Rock, Texas native made his presence known in multiple games throughout the season. Against Boise State last October, he forced three turnovers (two interceptions, one forced fumble), for his first career multi-interception game. Moore, who also had six solo tackles against the Broncos, was named the Walter Camp FBS Defensive Player of the Week and the Jim Thorpe Award Defensive Back of the Week following his performance.
Moore has also been named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Watch List and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List this preseason.
