Notre Dame Freshman Named to 2024 Football Watch List

Notre Dame's most decorated freshman from this year's recruiting class is already living up to the hype as college football watch lists continue to roll out.

Apr 20, 2024; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Kris Mitchell (10) carries the ball as linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (27) attempts to tackle in the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

True freshman linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa was Notre Dame's biggest signing during the 2024 recruiting cycle. So far, he's living up to the blue-chip hype.

Viliamu-Asa has been named to the prestigious 37-player Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Watch List, which annually recognizes the most talenetd true freshmen and redshirt freshmen in all of college football. The 6-3, 240-pounder from St. John Bosco (Calif.) High School is no ordinary rookie.

KVA already has the size, the physicality, the work ethic, and the acumen to instantly contribute to the veteran Notre Dame defense. He laid the foundation for success with a solid first spring and has continued to raise the bar throughout fall camp. He's light years ahead of the typical true freshman, both on film and how he attacks the little things to improve his overall game.

KVA is currently battling sophomore Drayk Bowen for the opening at middle linebacker left by JD Bertrand, and will be no less than an essential part of the rotation. And he's not alone. CB Leonard Moore continues to turn heads, and LT Anthonie Knapp has exploded up the depth chart after Charles Jagusah tore his pec. Jagusah was also on the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year short list before his season-ending injury.

For the second media viewing session in a row, the projected Notre Dame starting offensive line was...

Left tackle: Anthonie Knapp
Left guard: Sam Pendleton
Center: Ashton Craig
Right guard: Billy Schrauth
Right tackle: Aamil Wagner

A freshman, a sophomore and three juniors. pic.twitter.com/Kc9ndVirlM

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) August 15, 2024

Shaun Alexander was a former Alabama and Seattle Seahawk running back who was named to the NFL Pro Bowl three times. Recipients of the freshman award named in his honor include Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, Alabama ED Will Anderson, Georgia TE Brock Bowers, and North Carolina QB Drake Maye. Joe Alt and Jaden Greathouse are recent Irish rookies who made the Alexander preseason watch list in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

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