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We've stated on multiple occasions that the 2026 season will be a great year for quarterback play in college football. Having guys like Dante Moore, CJ Carr, Julian Sayin, Trinidad Chambliss, Arch Manning and a smattering of others returning to the collegiate game makes for a very entertaining season.

Having said that, there's a host of non-quarterback players that will also have a very strong impact on the college football season as well. ESPN listed their top non-QB playmakers of the 2026 season and star cornerback Leonard Moore was named amongst the top talents in the country. 

"Moore's two-year statistical totals are numbers that most college defensive backs would crave for their entire careers," Adam Rittenberg of ESPN explained. "He already has 25 passes defended — seven interceptions and 18 pass breakups, while adding three forced fumbles — despite opponents increasingly avoiding him in their passing schemes. Moore has the quickness and length to shut down top wide receivers and also make plays on the ball when it's thrown his way.

"A consensus All-America selection, Moore was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award in 2025, after earning freshman All-America honors the year before," Rittenberg continued about the Consensus All-American. "He became the first Notre Dame player since 2023 to record multiple interceptions in a game when he had two against Boise State, while adding a forced fumble."

Moore put together an outstanding season and built upon his true freshman campaign in 2024. After his output this season, Moore was named as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, the Bronko Nagurski Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award and the LOTT Impact Trophy which recognizes the nation's top defensive player who makes an impact on and off the field.     

The 6-2, 195-pound cornerback finished the season with 31 total tackles, five interceptions which led the team, seven passes defended which was second on the team, a pick six, and a forced fumble. He remained a solid tackler in the secondary only missing six tackles the entire season and only allowed three receiving touchdowns all season long. Moore's performance this season played a major role in the defense's overall turnaround after the first three games.

The Texas native ranked 1st among all starting Power 4 cornerbacks in coverage grade (91.4) and 1st in overall defensive grades (90.9) according to PFF. Teams were well aware of Moore's abilities in coverage and was only targeted 11.5 percent of the coverage snaps he played.

Moore is the No. 1 cornerback in the country heading into this season. I believed he had that title entering last season after being named the 2024 FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and was named the No. 1 returning cornerback in college football by numerous outlets including PFF, CBS Sports, ESPN and the Associated Press. Moore will look to continue his dominance in 2026, which will likely be his final year at the collegiate level. He's a special player and he has the opportunity to be one of the best cornerbacks to come through South Bend in program history. 

ESPN's Non-QB Playmakers In 2026

WR – Malachi Toney, Miami Hurricanes
DE – John Henry Daley, Michigan Wolverines
RB – Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss Rebels
DE – Colin Simmons, Texas Longhorns
WR – Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State Buckeyes
LBs – Trey White and Adam Trick, Texas Tech Red Raiders
LB – Xavier Atkins, Auburn Tigers
RB – Cam Crook, West Virginia Mountaineers
LB – Kam Robinson, Virginia Cavaliers
DT – Tyrique Tucker, Indiana Hoosiers
RB – LJ Martin, BYU Cougars
CB – Leonard Moore, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
S – Koi Perich, Oregon Ducks
DL – J'Mond Tapp, Memphis Tigers

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