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Notre Dame and Iowa State each had three players selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America team, led by Fighting Irish defensive back Kyle Hamilton and Cyclones running back Breece Hall. The preseason All-America team presented by Regions Bank was released Monday, five days before the first games of the season kickoff. Eight teams have at least two first-team All-Americans, with seventh-ranked Iowa State and ninth-ranked Notre Dame leading the way.

Along with Hall, Iowa State is represented on the first team by tight end Charlie Kolar and linebacker Mike Rose. Hamilton is joined by Fighting Irish teammates Cain Madden, a guard who transferred from Marshall in the offseason, and running back Kyren Williams, who made the team as an all-purpose player. Oklahoma's Spencer Rattler is the first-team quarterback and Sooners teammate Nik Bonitto made the team at linebacker. - AP College Football

(DS#1 FS) Jr/2022

FS *Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
News Source: AP College Football
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08/21/21 - Rylie Mills, rSr/2025, Notre Dame, 6-5, 291 (DS#24 DT) + More +

Brian Kelly doesn't want to divulge too many details on the possibilities for Notre Dame's defensive line. After reporters watched a full practice Thursday inside Notre Dame Stadium, the Irish head football coach recognized that a lot of different combinations were on display. "We hope that, obviously, we don't have a scouting report out there," Kelly said after preseason practice No. 12 and 17 days before the season opener at Florida State on Sept. 5. "But it speaks for itself, right? We're going to move guys around and they're going to be difficult to block." Spoiler for the Seminoles: Find Rylie Mills.

The sophomore defensive tackle created more disruption than any other defensive lineman on Notre Dame's roster during Thursday's practice. The 6-foot-5, 283-pound Mills should benefit greatly from the importance defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman has placed on versatility up front. Mills can provide value in a three-man front as a defensive end and a four-man front as a defensive tackle. "He's a long player and his physicality lends itself to being able to play a few different positions for us," Kelly said. "You're going to see a guy like Rylie Mills really flourish in this system that Marcus runs." - South Bend Tribune

(DS#24 DT) rSr/2025

DT Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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08/20/21 - Kaleb Smith, rSr/2024, Notre Dame, 6-2, 222 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Virginia Tech receiver Kaleb Smith knew what the injury was before the trainers got to him. Smith's arm got tangled up when he tried to strip the ball from Pittsburgh corner Jason Pinnock coming out of halftime in a late-season matchup between the ACC rivals. After Pinnock picked off Hendon Hooker down the Hokies' sideline, he avoided a couple would-be tacklers and bounced the ball back toward midfield. Smith ran a deep route and was 20 yards behind the play, but he never considered giving up on the play. "He had a wide-open lane to a touchdown," Smith said at Virginia Tech's media day. "I turned on the jets and tried to strip the ball, and my arm got stuck in there. It popped out."

The arm hung down and Smith said it was completely numb until the training staff popped it back in. It was the same feeling Smith had when he tore his labrum as a senior at Louisa County. "I tore the back of the labrum as a senior, this time it tore the front," Smith said, indicating the spots on his left shoulder. Smith knew what was next - surgery and an extended rehab period that would keep him sidelined for four to eight months. He was out five and a half months this time around. "I was cleared on May 5," Smith said, with a smile. "That date with all the therapy you go through, you got it circled on the calendar." - Roanoke Times

(DS#999 WR) rSr/2024

WR Kaleb Smith, Notre Dame
News Source: Roanoke Times
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08/17/21 - DeVonta Smith, rSr/2026, Notre Dame, 5-11, 191 (DS#30 CB) + More +

When Alabama fans pour into Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Tide's home opener Sept. 11 and start thumbing through the game program, a name might look out of place. DeVonta Smith. One of the most decorated players in Alabama history should be making his NFL debut a day later in Atlanta, making it unlikely the graduated 2020 Heisman Trophy winner will be participating in what will likely be a rout of FCS opponent Mercer. Instead, meet the new DeVonta Smith: a freshman defensive back from Ohio who wears No. 27.

Smith -- listed as an inch shorter (6-feet) and 10 pounds heavier (185) than his record-breaking predecessor -- was a summer enrollee who opened fall camp with the safeties. Junior Jordan Battle had the privilege of practicing against the elder Smith the past two seasons and knows the same nickname cannot be used twice. "We try to shy away from calling him Smitty," he said Tuesday, "Because you know there's only one Smitty out there." Ohio's Smith initially committed to Ohio State before flipping to Alabama. The Cincinnati native was ranked as a four-star prospect and No. 257 nationally in 247 Sports' composite rankings. - Birmingham News

(DS#30 CB) rSr/2026

CB DeVonta Smith, Notre Dame
News Source: Birmingham News
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08/14/21 - Jack Coan, rSr/2022, Notre Dame, 6-3, 218 (DS#7 QB) + More +

Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan is Notre Dame's starting quarterback. Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly announced the choice Saturday in a Twitter post after suggesting for the last week that a decision would be coming soon. Notre Dame opens Sept. 5 at Florida State. Coan started for Wisconsin in 2019, leading the Badgers to the Big Ten title game. He completed 70% of his passes and threw for 2,727 yards and 18 touchdowns two seasons ago. Coan broke his foot before last season's abbreviated Big Ten schedule began in late October and did not play, losing the starting job to former blue-chip recruit Graham Mertz. Coan transferred in the offseason to Notre Dame, where the Irish were looking to replace long-time starter Ian Book, who was drafted in the fourth round by New Orleans. - AP College Football

(DS#7 QB) rSr/2022

QB Jack Coan, Notre Dame
News Source: AP College Football
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08/11/21 - Jack Coan, rSr/2022, Notre Dame, 6-3, 218 (DS#7 QB) + More +

The Wisconsin grad transfer won't be able to escape comparisons to the starting quarterback who came before him at Notre Dame, Ian Book, or the freshman quarterback who has been pitched as the next big thing for the Irish, Tyler Buchner. Fair or not, Coan's Notre Dame legacy will be measured by how he bridges the gap between those two quarterbacks. Coan can fortify his own path if he brings something to the Notre Dame offense that Book didn't as the winningest quarterback in program history. Coan had moments as a Wisconsin starter in 2019 that showed he could make plays with his arm and be a steady hand in winning games. Can he be decisive in the Irish offense, make the right decisions in the red zone and help stretch the field? If Coan can't meet those needs, the Notre Dame fan base will once again be pining to see what's next behind Coan whether Kelly's ready to make that decision or not. - Indianapolis Star/News

(DS#7 QB) rSr/2022

QB Jack Coan, Notre Dame
News Source: Indianapolis Star/News
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08/07/21 - Hunter Spears, rSo/2024, Notre Dame, 6-3, 303 (DS#999 DT) + More +

Hunter Spears came to Notre Dame with an unfortunate injury history. Spears, who was recruited as a defensive lineman out of Sachse (Texas) High in the 2019 class, tore the ACL in his left knee twice in 19 months with the latter injury coming near the end of his senior season. Spears was never able to escape that injury history at Notre Dame. On Thursday afternoon, Spears announced on social media he has taken a medical retirement from football. The move will allow him to remain on scholarship at Notre Dame without participating in practices and games.

"I have been through a lot in these last 4 years from countless knee surgeries to being a part of a team in the College Football Playoff," Spears wrote in his social media statement. "The game I love so much, however, has taken an immense toll on my body both physically and mentally. After consulting with the program's medical team and coaching staff, I have decided that it is in my best interest to medically retire from football." Spears will no longer count against Notre Dame's scholarship limit, which was pushed to 87 to allow nose guard Kurt Hinish and kicker Jonathan Doerer to take advantage of an extra year of eligibility with the NCAA's COVID-19 exemption. The Irish now have 84 players on scholarship without Spears. - South Bend Tribune

(DS#999 DT) rSo/2024

DT Hunter Spears, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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07/30/21 - *Kyren Williams, rSo/2022, Notre Dame, 5-09, 199 (DS#13 RB) + More +

On the door to his room back in St. Louis hangs a mirror Kyren Williams had to face, wanted to reckon with every morning before he'd confront whatever the world had for him that day. It was an integral part of the process that made a light-switch moment in the spring of 2020 stick, a quarantine revelation that the Notre Dame running back wasn't a transfer portal escapee waiting to happen but a player about to ascend with still no ceiling in sight. "It's all a mindset," Williams said in July, back in the flow of summer school and players-only-practices at Notre Dame. "It still is about that. My mindset has never changed since the end of the season last year. "It's always to be the best version of me each and every day. So when there's work to put in, I'll be able to make sure that my dreams come true.

"That's who I am. That's how I want to live my life. I feel like if I just keep doing that, that's going to lead me to where I want to be." Where Williams is heading into August training camp is a 5-foot-9, 195-pound junior coming off a rushing season (1,125 on 211 carries) 55 yards shy of one of the top 10 in school history. His 13 rushing touchdowns in 2020 were the most in a season by an Irish running back in the 2000s and four off the school record 17 shared by former All-Americans Allen Pinkett (1984) and Vagas Ferguson (1979). - South Bend Tribune

(DS#13 RB) rSo/2022

RB *Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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07/24/21 - *Kyren Williams, rSo/2022, Notre Dame, 5-09, 199 (DS#13 RB) + More +

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams was selected as one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award last season, so it was basically a given that he'd make the 2021 preseason watch list for the award that honors college football's top running back. That officially happened Wednesday with Williams joining 81 other running backs on the watch list. Williams was named ACC Rookie of the Year as a sophomore last season for accumulating 1,125 yards and 13 touchdowns on 211 carries and 313 yards and one touchdown on 35 catches. No Notre Dame running back has ever won the Doak Walker Award, which was created in 1990. Alabama running back Najee Harris won the award last season. - South Bend Tribune

(DS#13 RB) rSo/2022

RB *Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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07/23/21 - *Kyle Hamilton, Jr/2022, Notre Dame, 6-4, 217 (DS#1 FS) + More +

A sign that college football season is almost here has arrived. It's the annual blitz of preseason watch lists for college football's top awards. The watch list spree began in earnest Monday and will continue through the end of next week. ND Insider will track all of the Notre Dame mentions below. Kyle Hamilton was named to his first preseason watch list of the year Monday. It certainly won't be his last. Notre Dame's junior safety was one of 90 players recognized on the Bednarik Award watch list for the 2021 season. The Bednarik Award has identified the best defensive player in college football every year since 1995. Hamilton, who recorded 63 tackles, seven pass breakups, 4.5 tackles for a loss and one interception as a sophomore, was one of 18 semifinalists last season for the Bednarik Award, which was given to Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins. Former Irish linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was one of the three finalists alongside Collins. - South Bend Tribune

(DS#1 FS) Jr/2022

FS *Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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06/04/21 - Cain Madden, rSr/2022, Notre Dame, 6-2, 310 (DS#30 OG) + More +

Marshall offensive guard Cain Madden on Friday afternoon verbally committed to play for the Irish in 2021 as he completed his multi-day visit to the Notre Dame campus. It'll be the former walk-on's and three-year starter's sixth collegiate season, courtesy of the NCAA's COVID exemption and the 6-foot-3, 313-pounder's desire to hone his NFL Draft appeal. The Irish (10-2 in 2020) open the season Sept. 5 at Florida State, the team Madden visited early in the week and the program originally considered the heavy favorite to land the South Webster, Ohio, product until the Irish shifted that momentum. Madden, nicknamed "Dump Truck," brings coveted experience to an Irish offensive line that lost four starters, including two All-Americans, off a unit that was one of three finalists in 2020 for the Joe Moore Award for O-line excellence. - South Bend Tribune

(DS#30 OG) rSr/2022

OG Cain Madden, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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05/20/21 - Cain Madden, rSr/2022, Notre Dame, 6-2, 310 (DS#30 OG) + More +

Marshall's offensive line took a massive hit on Wednesday afternoon. How big? Oh, about a 315-pound All-American type of hit. Senior Cain Madden, who went from walk-on to All-American during his time with the Thundering Herd, announced on social media that he was entering the NCAA transfer portal. "After much thought and prayer, I have made the decision to enter the transfer portal," Madden's message said. "I am genuinely grateful for the five years at Marshall where I have been able to grow and cultivate my skills both on and off the field. "Thank you to all my coaches, teammates, athletic staff, and especially Herd Nation for supporting me on the football and academic journey. I will forever be a #SonOfMarshall." Madden played in 48 games during his Marshall career, starting in 31 of those contests. - Charleston Gazette

(DS#30 OG) rSr/2022

OG Cain Madden, Notre Dame
News Source: Charleston Gazette
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05/14/21 - Cam Hart, rSr/2024, Notre Dame, 6-3, 202 (DS#15 CB) + More +

Fully healthy for the first time since flipping from wide receiver two offseasons ago, Hart this spring gave Brian Kelly reason not to get too antsy about finding cornerback help in the transfer portal to pair with 2020 surprise starter Clarence Lewis (which still could happen). A spring surge from sophomore Ramon Henderson, a fit at nickel for TaRiq Bracy and the prospect of dependable depth from one or more of the four freshmen has upgraded the expectations for a position group that had the most to prove this offseason. The junior Hart (6-3, 207) gives the Irish unusual size at cornerback. This spring his confidence and aggressiveness started to sync up with that big body. If you're looking for a possible surprise breakthrough player, Hart could very well be it. And if that happens, the Notre Dame secondary may flip from possible liability to probable asset. - Indianapolis Star/News

(DS#15 CB) rSr/2024

CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame
News Source: Indianapolis Star/News
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05/10/21 - *Isaiah Foskey, rJr/2023, Notre Dame, 6-5, 264 (DS#7 DE) + More +

When pro scouts were watching tape of ND's 2021 NFL Draft prospects, invariably they'd get distracted by safety Kyle Hamilton and defensive end Isaiah Foskey, both juniors in 2021. Foskey was second on the team to fifth-round draft choice Ade Ogundeji in sacks (4.5) and QB hurries (5) in 2020, despite being a part-time player. As a starter in 2021, those numbers could increase significantly for the 6-5, 257-pounder. The spring and summer is about becoming a complete defensive end, not just a pass-rush specialist. So if you hear Foskey drawing praise for his ability to defend against the run in training camp, this is the trajectory that not only will keep the scouts coming back to watch the tape, it will help give new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman the chance to field an elite defense in his first season at ND. - South Bend Tribune

(DS#7 DE) rJr/2023

DE *Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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05/10/21 - Kevin Austin Jr., rJr/2022, Notre Dame, 6-2, 209 (DS#23 WR) + More +

It's hard to fathom that a player with six career catches for 108 yards in three years on the Notre Dame campus could be so pivotal as to whether Notre Dame ends up reloading or mildly rebuilding in 2021. Until you watch him practice at 100 percent. The return to 100 percent health should happen before the Irish open camp in August. A turbulent freshman year, followed by a sophomore-year suspension and a twice-broken foot as a junior in 2020 hasn't diminished what the 6-2, 215-pound senior could do for an Irish offense that needed his explosiveness in the two games it lost last season.

They'll need fellow seniors Braden Lenzy and Lawrence Keys III to be healthy and improved as well, and grad senior Avery Davis a formidable complement to Austin and sophomore tight end Michael Mayer. For all the consternation over former five-star prospect Jordan Johnson's decision to find a trap door out of Notre Dame, a healthy Kevin Austin Jr. - who's grown from his turbulence, not succumbed to it - has a much brighter present and more promising future. - South Bend Tribune

(DS#23 WR) rJr/2022

WR Kevin Austin Jr., Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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