Leonard Moore is on the Watch List for the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.
Leonard Moore, the rising star cornerback for Notre Dame, has been included on the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list, earmarking him as one of the nation’s premier defensive backs to monitor this upcoming season. The Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association, honors the top defensive back in college football based on field performance, athleticism, and character . In 2025, the preseason list comprises thirty‑five standout players from across major conferences and independent teams, and Moore stands among elite company including defensive standouts from schools like Ohio State, Texas, Boise State, Duke, Illinois, and Iowa State
Moore’s inclusion on the watch list comes as no surprise to those following his development. As a true freshman in fall 2024, he burst onto the national stage—earning the title of FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and securing spots on several Freshman All‑America teams (FWAA, ESPN, The Athletic, Pro Football Focus, College Football Network, 247Sports True Freshman All‑America He started ten games at cornerback and amassed 48 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry, and recorded ten pass breakups. His standout performance included forcing turnovers and making critical defensive plays in big games at USC, Louisville, and Georgia Tech—and playing a key role in Notre Dame’s victories in both the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl, as well as their CFP National Championship game appearance
In his final regular season game against USC, Moore registered five pass breakups—a performance tied for the second‑most by any FBS player in 2024 and the only freshman to accomplish that mark Notably, in his first two career starts he logged seven tackles in each, forcing a fumble in one of those games that directly set up a Notre Dame touchdown drive; he repeated the seven‑tackle mark and added a tackle for loss and two breakups versus Georgia Tech, helping secure a lead by forcing critical stops late in the first hal
Beyond the Thorpe Award watch list, Moore is also on the preseason watch lists for several other major national defensive honors. He is listed for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes both character and on‑field performance, as early as May 2025. That accolade further reflects the national reputation he has already earned in just one collegiate season. In late July he was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, which is awarded to college football’s best defensive player irrespective of position; that list also includes Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen and highlights the dominance of the Irish defense in 2024 Moore’s presence on the Walter Camp Preseason All‑America First Team further underlines his growing profile among experts and media heading into 2025
Analyzing Moore’s freshman year performance and the context in which he earned these honors, several factors stand out. As a true freshman he made an immediate impact, starting the first ten games of Notre Dame’s season—a rare feat at a high‑profile program. His stat line reflects his versatility—tackles, interceptions, forced fumbles, pass breakups, quarterback pressure. But his disruptive presence in big games, including the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl, gave a glimpse of a football intelligence beyond his years
Notre Dame’s defense in 2024 was among the elite nationally: they ranked first in pass efficiency defense, first in turnovers gained, first in defensive touchdowns, first in blocked kicks, second in fumbles recovered, second in blocked punts, fourth in passing yards allowed, fourth in scoring defense, fifth in passes intercepted, and 11th in total defense. Moore was a key element in that dominant unit, joining teammates like Bowen and others who made major contributions across the roster
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, being named to the Thorpe Award watch list puts Moore among the top 35 defensive backs in the nation whom the screening committee considers capable of becoming semifinalists and finalists. That committee takes into account previous season performance, preseason accolades such as All‑America selections, and projection of athletic potential Later in the fall, semifinalists will be announced (typically late October), followed by finalists at the end of November, and the winner being revealed on ESPN’s annual awards show in mid‑December—the banquet held in Oklahoma City in early February 2026
Moore’s sophomore campaign thus comes with increased expectations. Not only is he expected to anchor Notre Dame’s secondary, but he’s also expected to continue to grow as a leader on and off the field. His performance and character will be scrutinized in pursuit not just of the Thorpe Award, but potentially other honors like the Nagurski and the Lott IMPACT Trophy—as he already occupies watch list spots for all three
While the preseason watch lists are preliminary, making it onto the Thorpe Award list is no small distinction: it indicates that Moore is already among the top tier of defensive backs heading into the season. His inclusion alongside established upperclassmen like Xavier Scott (Illinois), Josh Cooper and Jontez Williams (Iowa State), A’Marion McCoy (Boise State), Chandler Rivers and Terry Moore (Duke), and others underscores Notre Dame’s visibility in the national awards conversation
From a developmental standpoint, Moore’s sophomore season will likely show refinement of technique, greater consistency, and perhaps more statistical production—not just in tackles and breakups, but potentially interceptions, defensed passes, and forced turnovers. Equally important, Notre Dame’s schedule will feature high‑stakes games that can elevate his profile if he continues to make game‑changing plays.
In broader perspective, Notre Dame has not previously produced a Jim Thorpe Award winner. Moore, if he continues on this trajectory, could become the first cornerback from the program to bring that honor home. His inclusion on the preseason Thorpe list marks the first step in that journey. As the season unfolds, his performance will determine whether he advances to semifinalist and finalist status.
The press surrounding Moore has already acknowledged his status; Notre Dame press releases and coverage have emphasized the history‑making potential and his role as a foundational piece of their defense. Being included on multiple watch lists before the season—Walter Camp Preseason All‑America, Lott IMPACT, Nagurski, Butkus (for linebackers) and Thorpe—signals elite anticipation for his sophomore campaign
As the season progresses, media outlets and award committees will track his performances. Should he maintain high-level play while demonstrating athletic growth and strong character, he could very well emerge as one of the top finalists for the Thorpe Award in late November and contend in December during the College Football Awards show. Being on this initial 2025 watch list is a clear indicator that he is already in that conversation.
In sum, Leonard Moore being on the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list affirms that he is considered one of the elite defensive backs in college football entering his sophomore year. His standout freshman season—highlighted by national freshman honors, impactful statistics, and standout games in key matchups—laid the foundation for high expectations. Having secured a spot on multiple national award watch lists, Moore is widely expected to lead Notre Dame’s secondary and potentially become the first player in the school’s history to win the Thorpe Award. The journey ahead includes semifinalists and finalists rounds, the award announcement in December, and ultimately the banquet in Oklahoma City in early February 2026. But for now, his preseason recognition places him firmly among the national elite heading into the 2025 season.
