Newsstand: Notre Dame freshman named to Shaun Alexander Award watch list
A Notre Dame football first-year player was named to the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award preseason watch list on Wednesday. No, it wasn’t the one who’s listed as a projected starter on the official Fighting Irish Week 1 depth chart (left tackle Anthonie Knapp).
It’s backup middle linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa.
Defensive coordinator Al Golden had a short yet powerful quote about Viliamu-Asa in his media availability session on Tuesday. He said he feels great about who’s making up the Irish linebacker corps behind sixth-year senior Jack Kiser. So much of that comfort comes from Viliamu-Asa, who’s listed as Bowen’s backup at Mike and as a second or third option behind Kiser and on the same plane as sophomore Jaiden Ausberry at weak-side backer.
“I don’t know if we’d be here if [Viliamu-Asa] just got here in June,” Golden said.
Viliamu-Asa, the No. 4 linebacker recruit and No. 42 overall prospect in the 2024 class, enrolled early. He plays beyond his years, and the extra months on campus have helped him assert himself as one of Notre Dame’s best linebackers — and he hasn’t even played a down yet.
It’s only up from here, perhaps all the way to winning the Shaun Alexander Award.
Notre Dame tweets of the day
Sophomore Jaden Greathouse is manifesting WR1 capabilities.
Former Irish nickel corner Thomas Harper was dropped by the Los Angeles Chargers but picked up by the Las Vegas Raiders. He has officially made a 53-man roster.
“Here Come The Irish” hits the air on Peacock TODAY.
Fighting Irish quote of the day
“We’re Notre Dame. Everywhere this team has been in the past, they’ve drawn big crowds. It’s everybody’s biggest game, I feel like, or one of their biggest games whenever Notre Dame comes to town.”
— Irish quarterback Riley Leonard on the crowd Notre Dame will face at Texas A&M
Blue & Gold headlines of the day
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- Fighting Irish football: Three things to know about the Texas A&M Aggies
- Which former Notre Dame football players made NFL rosters?
- Fighting Irish vs. Texas A&M game to feature an abundance of NFL Draft prospects
- Notre Dame 3-2-1: 3 numbers, 2 questions (health matters, playoff path), 1 prediction (win count)
- What stands out to Fighting Irish about Mike Elko defense, Collin Klein offense?
- How Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard has fared as a road starter
- Fighting Irish football assistant named head coaching candidate before 2024 season
- No. 3 QB in 2027 class discusses where things stand with Notre Dame
- Fighting Irish men’s basketball releases 2024-25 nonconference schedule
- 3 days until Fighting Irish football: What we learned about two Irish opponents in Week 0
- Six 2026 recruiting targets trending toward Notre Dame entering the 2024 season
- Fighting Irish vs. Texas A&M: The challenge in preparing for season openers
- WATCH: What’s at stake for Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman at Texas A&M?
