It’s been a notable offseason for Notre Dame football when it comes to preseason accolades, and that continued when two more players were named to a notable watch list.
Cornerback Leonard Moore and linebacker Drayk Bowen have been named to the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List.
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The award honors the most outstanding defensive player in college football.
The only former Fighting Irish player to win this award was linebacker Manti Te’o in 2012.
Moore had a standout 2024 season, becoming the FWAA freshman defensive player of the year after replacing an injured Christian Gray and eventually an injured Ben Morrison in the starting lineup. In 10 starts, he recorded 48 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Meanwhile, Bowen started all 16 games last season and finished third on the team with 78 tackles, and he also led the team with three forced fumbles. He’s a team leader as well as the most experienced linebacker on the roster.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame’s Moore, Bowen earn 2025 Bednarik Award Watch List honors
