Notre Dame and its prospective transfer starting quarterback will not kick off this year’s college football season in Dublin, Ireland. Instead, two of the Fighting Irish’s opponents in 2024 — Florida State and Georgia State — will ring in the new year in the latest edition of the Aer Lingus Classic.
That game, which is just 100 days away, is sure to bring a new level of excitement to this college football season. And to add to the intrigue, On3’s Clark Brooks has broken down the Top 100 Players entering this season.
Notre Dame had five players represented, including two “5-star” talents (players among the Top 32). Here is a breakdown of Brooks’ list.
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No. 15 — Cornerback Benjamin Morrison
Brooks tapped former freshman All-America cornerback Benjamin Morrison in the first half of his Top 32 at No. 15 overall. The 6-foot, 186-pound junior is the No. 2 cornerback and No. 6 defender listed.
“Benjamin Morrison hawked a pass on nearly 22% of his opportunities last fall while allowing a catch on less than half of his targets,” Brooks said. “Plus, none of the Golden Domer’s 8 key defensive metrics fell under the national average.”
Michigan junior Will Johnson (No. 8 overall) is the only cornerback ranked ahead of Morrison. The Irish hope to get the Phoenix Brophy College Prep product, Morrison, back for fall camp after he missed most of the spring following shoulder surgery.
No. 21 — Defensive lineman Howard Cross III
Howard Cross III had a breakout season in 2023, earning him a spot on four second-team All-America teams. That was good enough for No. 21 on Brooks’ list.
“A top-notch three-technique built to clash with guards,” Brooks said. “Howard Cross III is the lone returning college interior who placed inside the nation’s top 10 in both impact plays by volume and by rate.”
The 6-1, 284-pound Cross was the third defensive lineman ranked, behind Michigan’s Mason Graham (No. 6) and Kentucky’s Deone Walker (No. 7).
No. 61 — Quarterback Riley Leonard
It took 40 spots for Notre Dame to find its next selection on Brooks’ list. That is where the Irish’s latest transfer quarterback, Riley Leonard, slotted. The former Duke signal-caller is Brooks’ No. 9 passer.
Brooks had Georgia’s Carson Beck (No. 4), Texas’ Quinn Ewers (No. 12), Ole Miss’ Jaxon Dart (No. 13), Colorado’s Sheduer Sanders (No. 26), Alabama’s Jalen Milroe (No. 33), Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel (No. 34), Miami’s Cam Ward (No. 55) and Ohio State’s Will Howard (No. 56) all found spots ahead of Leonard.
No. 71 — Safety Xavier Watts
Despite winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented annually to college football’s top defender, Xavier Watts ranked No. 71. The unanimous All-American was the 30th defensive player.
Brooks put three safeties before Watts: Georgia’s Malaki Starks (No. 9), Ohio State’s Caleb Downs (No. 22) and Iowa State’s Jeremiah Cooper. Watts led the nation with 7 interceptions in 2023.
No. 77 — Tight end Mitchell Evans
Before sustaining a torn ACL against Pittsburgh on Oct. 28, junior tight end Mitchell Evans made former All-America tight end Michael Mayer’s departure to the NFL less painful. The 6-5, 260-pound pass catcher had 29 receptions for 422 yards and 1 touchdown in 8 games before his injury.
Evans ended up as one of only three tight ends ranked. Michigan’s Colston Loveland (No. 27) and North Carolina’s Bryson Nesbit (No. 94) were the others. The Irish hope to reinsert Evans into the lineup sometime next season.
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