Five Notre Dame Players Earn AP All-American Honors

Five Notre Dame players earned a spot on the Associated Press All-American squad

Notre Dame had five players earn a spot on the Associated Press All-American squad. 

Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and senior left guard Aaron Banks both made first-team honors.

Owusu-Koramoah was named the Butkus Award winner as the nation's top linebacker, and he also won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award after racking up 56 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.

Banks thrived as a run blocker this season and showed improvement as a pass blocker. When he was on his game he was dominant, and when thrust into the left tackle spot against Florida State he thrived.

Fifth-year senior left tackle Liam Eichenberg earned a spot on the second-team All-American squad. Eichenberg was Notre Dame's best offensive lineman this season, showing dominance as a pass blocker and strong run game ability. Eichenberg has not allowed a sack since September 29, 2018.

Sophomore safety Kyle Hamilton earned third-team All-American honors, as did right guard Tommy Kraemer despite the veteran missing two games.

Hamilton tied Owusu-Koramoah for the team lead with 56 tackles despite missing a game with an injury and another half after being ejected for targeting. The talented sophomore safety had five pass break ups, an interception and he was an effective player in space this season as both a tackler and cover player.

Not seeing senior right tackle Robert Hainsey on this list was surprising. Hainsey and Eichenberg were Notre Dame's highest graded offensive linemen according to Pro Football Focus, and both were also the team's most steady blockers. While Banks was more flashy, Hainsey has been a steady player for three straight seasons, so much so that he appears to be one of the most overlooked linemen in the country. 

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Bryan Driskell
BRYAN DRISKELL

Bryan Driskell is the publisher of Irish Breakdown and has been covering Notre Dame football for over a decade. A former college football player and coach, Bryan and Irish Breakdown bring a level of expertise and analysis that is unmatched. From providing in depth looks at the Fighting Irish, breaking news stories and honest recruiting analysis, Irish Breakdown has everything Notre Dame football fans want and need. Bryan was previous a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated before launching Irish Breakdown. He coached college football at Duquesne University, Muhlenberg College, Christopher Newport University, Wittenberg University and Defiance College. During his coaching career he was a pass game coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and wide receivers coach. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Salisbury University, where he played quarterback for the Sea Gulls. You can email Bryan at bryan@irishbreakdown.com. Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Follow Bryan on Twitter: @CoachD178Like and follow Irish Breakdown on FacebookSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channelSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter