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.
Scholarship. Leadership. Integrity.
Coach Freeman has been named to the Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/IxxeU5sYfI
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) July 9, 2026
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.
Leadership on the field and in the community
Congratulations to Leonard Moore on being nominated for the Allstate AFCA #GoodWorksTeam!#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/KKeUoGSTKO
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) July 20, 2026
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.
Already getting people talking about the defense 👀
Leonard Moore and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa have been named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/DD7HcsSR0D
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) May 21, 2026
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.
Elevating Notre Dame and the game of college football ☘️
CJ Carr has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/OOAOP3MxEY
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 3, 2026
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.
The best center in college football 😤
Ashton Craig has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List. #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/WQyGiQ5VmE
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 6, 2026
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.
The best kicker in the nation 🙌
Spencer Porath has been named to the Lou Groza Award Watch List.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/3Uqvqrc0t1
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 7, 2026
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.
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen
This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame football preseason award watchlist tracker
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
