Notre Dame Got Perfect Cornerback Duo With Leonard Moore And Karson Hobbs

Breaking down how cornerback signees Leonard Moore and Karson Hobbs fit together

Notre Dame has wrapped up its 2024 recruiting class, and perhaps the most underrated position overall in the class is the cornerback duo of Leonard Moore and Karson Hobbs. For whatever reason, neither player is especially well-liked from the recruiting ranking perspective.

Apparently those evaluators don’t value length and athleticism at the position. Both Moore and Hobbs also bring a ton of football intelligence and confidence as well. The best part too, is they are both very different and should fit together perfectly.

That is true both on and off the field.

"Karson and I definitely have a great relationship,” Moore told Irish Breakdown. "We talk and he's obviously more outgoing, like an extrovert. I'm a more introverted guy and it definitely meshes well together. He’s loud, I'm a little more at a quiet end, but definitely I'm looking forward to our time in Notre Dame.

"I think we can both be great,” Moore added. "Obviously we're two different styles of players, but I think we can both fit in there somewhere.”

Moore is absolutely correct. They are different players. The Texas native gave some insight into the player he is, and what makes him successful on the field.

"I would say I definitely have an aggressive style of play. I'm 6-2 or 6-3 and 185 pounds, so I'm going to get up on the line,” explained Moore. "I'm going to press you pretty much. That's how I like to play and then, obviously, when the ball goes up in the air, I'm going to go get it.”

The great part about Moore’s game is that he brings a ton of versatility to the table. Whether he’s playing in off man and zone, or in press, he has the talent to make a ton of plays. That aspect of his game is a big help to making plays all over the field, which Moore talked a lot about.

"That versatility definitely means a lot,” he explained. "I guess it comes from understanding the game and having the IQ, being able to read the quarterback as well as the receivers, knowing the down and distance, stuff like that will all help you.

"It helps me get in a position to make plays for my team,” Moore continued. "This year, I didn't have that opportunity as much because I was injured, but I only had six targets when I did play, and I had zero receptions allowed.”

That combination of length, playmaking ability, and coverage versatility should allow Moore to profile at either boundary or field cornerback on the next level. When you combine that with Hobbs' game, the duo brings a lot of potential to the table.

As a frequent guest on the Irish Breakdown Podcast, Hobbs has spoken in the past about his play style. The Ohio native prides himself in his competitiveness and ability to be physical at the line of scrimmage. Hobbs also brings a ton of speed to the table. According to his father, Daniel Hobbs, that combination of length and speed is eerily similar to a former Irish great.

"Todd Light sticks out in my mind,” Daniel said. "Karson reminds me a lot of him. He's long, has got great speed and I really think that Notre Dame is getting a heck of a ball player.”

He also believes his son is ready to shock some folks early in his career. Playing against the competition he did every week, Karson should be ready for prime time immediately.

"I sat there for the last three years and watched Karson shut down some of the best players in the GCL, in my opinion, which is the best, the number one football high school league in Ohio,” he said. "(He) played so many teams outside of that league that are highly ranked teams and he really shuts down one half of the field. I really think Notre Dame and all the fans want you guys to know you're getting a hell of a player.”

For the stargazers out there, expectations may be low for this talented cornerback duo. When you pop on the film, those expectations should rise tremendously. Not only is Mike Mickens adding to extremely gifted cover men to the roster soon, but he has also added two players who are a perfect mesh of football players and people. 

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Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

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