Four Notre Dame players named 2022 preseason Associated Press All-Americans
There are just two teams in the country with more 2022 preseason Associated Press All-Americans, and Notre Dame will have the privilege of facing one of them in just 12 days.
On Monday, Ralph Russo of the AP released the annual list composed of 54 total players who are the best at their respective positions. Six play for Alabama and five play for Ohio State. Of course, the Irish visit the Buckeyes on Sept. 3 to open the year. But sitting just behind the two college football giants are reigning national champion Georgia and Notre Dame. Both teams landed four players on the list.
Here’s a look at Notre Dame’s selections.
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First team
Center Jarrett Patterson
Despite the fact that he’s slated to play guard this fall after the ascension of Zeke Correll at center, Patterson is listed as the nation’s top center. Regardless of where he lines up, he will be a near-immovable force and early NFL Draft selection, assuming he can stay healthy. Patterson is currently dealing with a foot sprain, and he is questionable for Ohio State. As of Monday, he was not practicing and remains in a hard cast.
Patterson led all Notre Dame offensive linemen last season with an 85.4 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. He allowed zero sacks, one quarterback hit and 11 hurries over 918 snaps at center.
Edge rusher Isaiah Foskey
When Foskey explored his draft options last spring, he was given a second-round grade. That wasn’t good enough for the 6-5, 265-pound defenseman. When you add on the Oklahoma State loss in the Fiesta Bowl, returning to school for a fourth year became a no-brainer.
Foskey will spend his fall chasing a few things: a national championship and the single-season and career sack records for the Irish program, which are 13.5 and 24.5, respectively, and currently held by former Notre Dame star Justin Tuck. Foskey posted 11 sacks last season.
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Second team
Tight end Michael Mayer
If Georgia’s Brock Bowers didn’t have an electric rookie season in Athens, Mayer would hold the first-team spot at his position. He’ll have to settle for second for now, but he’s the best draft-eligible tight end accordingly to nearly everyone.
Mayer led the team last season with 71 catches and was second in yardage at 840. The 6-4, 250-pound blocking and pass-catching end set an Irish tight end record with seven touchdown receptions as well.
Safety Brandon Joseph
Joseph is one of seven players on the list to have transferred during his college career, coming from Northwestern. He has already earned All-American honors in his career (2020), and the 6-1, 192-pound defensive back is determined to do it again en route to the pros.
That first full season of college football is the one that receives the bulk of the hype. In 2020 as a redshirt freshman, Joseph notched 46 tackles, six interceptions and two passes broken up over Northwestern’s COVID-shortened, eight-game season. He earned an 88.5 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus.
