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Newsstand: Notre Dame freshman named to Shaun Alexander Award watch list

IMG_9992by:Tyler Horka•08/29/24•

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Kyngstonn Viliamu-asa
Notre Dame linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa. (Mike Miller, Blue & Gold)

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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