drayk bowen, leonard moore on nagurski watchlist
Notre Dame defenders continue to receive admiration and buzz from the success of the Fighting Irish defense over the past three seasons. The latest recognition is courtesy of the Bronko Nagurski Award, which has linebacker Drayk Bowen and cornerback Leonard Moore on its preseason Watch List.
The Nagurski Trophy goes to the nation’s top all-around defensive player, and the award found it’s way to South Bend in 2023 when it went to Notre Dame star safety Xavier Watts. Bowen and Moore are the two returners getting the most preseason recognition as the Irish look to have another star win that honor.
Bowen excelled as a first-year starter in 2024 and he took control on the Mike linebacker position under now ex-defensive coordinator Al Golden, and became a vocal leader for the defense. He finished third on the Irish defense with 78 tackles while ranking 7th on the defense in snaps. By the end of the season Bowen was a clear leader of the Irish defense. He played his best football of the season during the final stretch, racking up 22 tackles in the final three playoff games, including 8 in both the Orange Bowl win over Penn State and 8 in the title game loss to Ohio State.
Bowen was listed as a preseason All-American by Phil Steele.
Moore is widely considered the best returning cornerback in college football and projects as a future first-round NFL draft pick. He was a star as a freshman earning Defensive Freshman of the Year honors from the Football Writers Association of America. He tallied 48 tackles, picked off two passes and broke up 11 more during his dynamic rookie season. Heading into his sophomore season, Moore is expected to be one of the top defenders in the nation, regardless of position.
Five Notre Dame opponents also made the Nagurski Trophy Watch List. Miami (Fla.) defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee, Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis, Navy defensive tackle Landon Robinson and Boise State defensive Jayden Virgin-Morgan all made the list.
Shaun M. Davis
2027 4-star lb ellis mcgaskin commits to notre dame
Notre Dame is continuing to gain momentum on the recruiting trail, and it seems like that energy has been transferred over to the 2027 class as four-star 6-1 205-pound linebacker Ellis McGaskin of Mobile (Ala.) Williamson became the 2nd commitment of the 2027 class after choosing the Fighting Irish over schools like LSU, Auburn, Florida and Ohio State. His recruitment picked up steam after receiving an offer during the Pot of Gold, but his relationship with linebacker coach Max Bullough goes back to the spring of 2024 when a visit to his school laid the foundation of growing bond.
“Coach is a great guy,” McGaskin told Irish Breakdown. “The connection was there from the start. Getting the offer was a great feeling and he told me that they loved my play style and that I would be a perfect fit for them.”
The Alabama native was anxious to visit after receiving his offer and eventually made his way to South Bend on June 6th. He got an opportunity to experience coach Bullough and staff coaching style and bond with the staff including head coach Marcus Freeman. The visit was impactful in accelerating the talented backer’s affinity for the Notre Dame program.
“The visit was great,” McGaskin shared after his June visit. “There is no place like it. It’s something about the environment that’s different, and I haven’t seen anything like it. I enjoyed the coaching a lot. They coach the way I liked to be coached, and I can definitely see myself playing there.
“It was my first time really connecting with coach Freeman,” McGaskin continued. We talked about why Notre Dame is special and that they would like to have me there.”
His decision to make a commitment amid a flurry of 2026 pledges for the Fighting Irish may not have been the reason for McGaskin pulling the trigger, but it was hard to ignore, and he didn’t need any more time to think about it as he prepares for his junior season.
“It’s the place to be right now,” McGaskin shared. “It’s something I wanted to be a part of, and I’ve known for a while. It just felt like it was the place for me to be, and it honestly felt like home.
“They (Notre Dame) were always at the top,” McGaskin continued. “Coach Bullough made it known that I was his guy and that I was a priority.”
Now that his recruitment is a thing of the past, he turns his attention to improving as a leader and player after compiling an impressive 273 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles in his first two seasons.
“I’m ready to play,” McGaskin declared. “I want to perfect my craft and get better at being uncomfortable. My goals are to win a state championship and win Mr. Football.”
McGaskin ranks 78th nationally according to Rivals.
Shaun M. Davis