OFD Reacts: Which Irish Footballer is Doing the Most with the Least?

OFD Reacts: Which Irish Footballer is Doing the Most with the Least?

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OFD Reacts: Which Irish Footballer is Doing the Most with the Least?
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 12: Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Tionne Gray (0) defends Rice Owls offensive lineman Nate Bledsoe (56) during the game between the Rice Owls and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 12, 2026 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Irish fans and fans across the country.

Welcome back to One Foot Down Reacts, our weekly survey to gauge the pulse of Notre Dame football fans.

This week, I’d like to take stock of who is getting noticed through the first quarter of the season. You’re all probably pretty familiar with those starters with the highest snap counts: Tackle Will Black and guard Anthonie Knapp (190); quarterback C.J. Carr (169); tackle Guerby Lambert (160); wide receiver Jordan Faison (150); center Ashton Craig (149); wide receiver Micah Gilbert (141); safety Adon Shuler (136); guard Sullivan Absher (129); tight end Cooper Flanagan (125); linebacker Drayk Bowen (122); cornerback Leonard Moore (120) and safety Luke Talich (114).

This week’s poll question is asking us: Who is doing the most with the least? I’ve picked four players who have impressed me in limited snaps this year.

  • Mylan Graham has 3 pass catches for 32 yards on six targets. He’s primarily lined up in the slot, and has gotten the Irish two first downs on his three grabs. He’s logged 57 snaps, or 28.5 percent of the offensive time on the field.
  • Tionne Gray has five tackles, assisted on three others, one sack, one hurry and four stops (i.e. defensive failures), according to Pro Football Focus. The defensive tackle has logged 60 snaps, or 39 percent of the defensive time on the field.
  • After a disastrous game against Wisconsin, Jayden Sanders has looked far better in the past two outings. He allowed 3 receptions on five targets against the Badgers, including a 28 yarder that went for a Wisconsin touchdown. Since then, the cornerback produced a clean sheet against the run-first Rice and broke up a pass against Michigan State in the only time he was targeted. He’s logged 46 snaps, or 30 percent of the defensive time on the field.
  • Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa has four tackles, two assists, one hit, one hurry and four stops (i.e. defensive failures), according to PFF. He’s logged 39 snaps, or 25.4 percent of the defensive time on the field.

While KVA leads in early voting, everyone has received at least one vote. So make your case in the comments. By year’s end, will one of these four be the Fr. Ted Man of the Year or Iron Cross recipient at the Echoes?

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