When Benjamin Morrison suffered an injury, Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman made it clear that he was eager to see his young defensive backs rise to the occasion. One player who answered that call was freshman defensive back Leonard Moore.
Moore has been consistently improving week by week, but in the last few games, he has truly distinguished himself. His standout performance against the Navy Midshipmen was particularly impressive, earning him recognition as one of the top freshmen in college football.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Moore is ranked as the 10th best true freshman in the sport among players who logged at least 15 snaps, regardless of position. This distinction adds to the impressiveness of his accomplishments.
In the game against Navy, Moore achieved an overall rating of 71.9. This score was largely due to his coverage skills, as he recorded only one tackle but made a significant impact with an interception.
In his limited playing time this season, Moore has emerged as a valuable asset in the Notre Dame secondary. His performance suggests a promising future as he continues to develop and improve with each game.
So far this season, the true freshman has tallied 21 tackles, two passes defended, and one forced fumble. His interception against the Midshipmen marked the first of his career, and it appears that his trajectory is only upward as he gains more experience playing for the Fighting Irish.
