Notre Dame football will officially begin its 2026 season preparations tomorrow, as it will open up fall camp as the season is less than a month away from starting.
The Irish have plenty of talented players on their team, and ESPN recently named two of them in their top-40 most important players of college football in 2026. Bill Connelly picked “40 players who could define the season with moments, or long spells, of greatness.” Cornerback Leonard Moore and / or Christian Gray were selected at No. 24 among a group that Connelly named “pure transcendence potential.”
It makes plenty of sense to have them there, although he did cheat a bit by naming both of them. Connelly would go on to say that “you rarely see a cornerback duo this ridiculous at the college
level…. But as a duo, they’re unfair. You’d better not ever have to pass on Notre Dame.” Moore and Gray are the definition of lockdown corners, and a distinct advantage that the Irish defense will have this fall.
You may be wondering why quarterback CJ Carr wasn’t on the list, but there is a reason. Connelly made him ineligible along with a few others due to their performances last year and being a known commodity already. Running back Aneyas Williams and wide receiver Micah Gilbert were mentioned in the other section as “potential stars in need of a breakthrough”
The star power that Notre Dame possesses this fall is elite, as many could end up as All-Americans and winning national awards.
Which players will define the college football season with moments, or long spells, of greatness?@ESPN_BillC gives his top 40 candidates ⤵️ https://t.co/vfeOp1rLSF
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 4, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: ESPN names two Notre Dame stars in its top-40 most important players
