Anytime you have a team that is expected to contend for a College Football Playoff championship, you’ll have plenty of stars which is the exact case for Notre Dame in 2026.
The Irish enter the season with sky-high expectations, many believing that they run through the CFP and end their title drought
dating back to 1988. It’s not just the product that is one the field, its also the coaching staff that shines.With that said, many Notre Dame representatives are being named to national award watchlists. Find out below who has been named and a bit of information about each award.
Head coach Marcus Freeman
Scholarship. Leadership. Integrity.
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) July 9, 2026
Coach Freeman has been named to the Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/IxxeU5sYfI
Given annually to the top coach
in college football, Freeman was considered for the award last season after winning it in 2024. He looks to be a repeat winner, and the third overall for Notre Dame with Brian Kelly taking home the honor in 2018.
Cornerback Leonard Moore
Leadership on the field and in the community
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) July 20, 2026
Congratulations to Leonard Moore on being nominated for the Allstate AFCA #GoodWorksTeam!#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/KKeUoGSTKO
This most likely won’t be the only award that Moore is on the watchlist for before the season starts, but this nomination is quite impressive. It’s not just that he’s a great player, he’s a great person as well consistently giving back to the community.
Linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Leonard Moore
Already getting people talking about the defense 👀
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) May 21, 2026
Leonard Moore and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa have been named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/DD7HcsSR0D
As said above, Moore is going to be on plenty of preseason award watchlists. As for KVA, while he’s not a starter, he has the impact of one. The Lott Impact Trophy is given out annually to the top defender in college football, and both of them have a legit shot at being that player.
Quarterback CJ Carr
Elevating Notre Dame and the game of college football ☘️
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 3, 2026
CJ Carr has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/OOAOP3MxEY
Like Moore, Carr is going to be on plenty of these lists, as he’s up for the Maxwell Award, the best all-around player in college football. Linebacker Manti Te’o was the last Notre Dame player to win this award in 2012, as Carr looks to break that drought this fall.
Center Ashton Craig
The best center in college football 😤
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 6, 2026
Ashton Craig has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List. #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/WQyGiQ5VmE
Craig is hopefully ready for the start of the season after injuring his knee last fall and missing over half of the games. He’s currently limited as fall practice has begun, but there is still a considerable amount of hype surrounding his game. Craig could be the best center in the country.
Kicker Spencer Porath
The best kicker in the nation 🙌
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 7, 2026
Spencer Porath has been named to the Lou Groza Award Watch List.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/3Uqvqrc0t1
The transfer from Purdue comes into the Irish program looking to solidify the kicking game, and this is a great start. Porath made 15-of-17 field goals last season, and every one of his 24 extra-point tries. If he has the same efficiency with Notre Dame, he’s be in the discussion as the best kicker in the nation.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame football preseason award watchlist tracker
