Notre Dame has 4 players total in "top 50 players in playoff" ESPN

[chaseball]

CFP Player Rank: The top 50 players in the playoff

Ranking the top 50 players who will be in the College Football Playoff.

www.espn.com

11. Jeremiyah Love​

RB, Notre Dame, sophomore
2024 stats: 949 yards, 15 TDs

He shares a backfield with the almost equally brilliant Jadarian Price, so his carry totals don't match those of other backs, but college football's 2024 hurdles champion proves his awesomeness with every touch, averaging 7.1 yards per carry and scoring a touchdown on every 9.2 carries or receptions. And of the 46 players with at least 900 rushing yards, Love's 4.1 yards per carry after contact are second to only Ashton Jeanty. -- Connelly

13. Xavier Watts​

S, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 31 solo tackles, 1 FF, 5 INTs, 8 PDs

A year ago, Watts won the Bronko Nagurski trophy as the nation's best defender, and yet in 2024, he was almost certainly better. Though his interception total dipped from seven to five, that was still tied for third most nationally. Meanwhile, Watts gave up only nine completions -- and no TDs -- as the primary defender in coverage this season, while racking up 14 passes defended, 11th most in the country. He also tallied 49 tackles, three QB hurries and a forced fumble as the centerpiece of Notre Dame's exceptional secondary. -- Hale

41. Jack Kiser​

LB, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 37 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF

No player in Notre Dame's storied history has appeared in more games wearing an Irish uniform than Kiser, who is up to 66 in his sixth year with the program. A team captain this fall, he leads Notre Dame with 66 tackles, including three for loss and one sack, and he has added a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries. The 6-2, 231-pound Kiser anchors a Notre Dame defense that ranks third nationally in fewest points allowed and has fueled the team's CFP run. -- Rittenberg

43. Riley Leonard​

QB, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 2,092 yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs

At first, his tenure as Notre Dame's starting quarterback was defined by a dismal loss to Northern Illinois. But since Week 3, he has been the seventh-best quarterback in college football (and third best in the CFP) based on Total QBR. He has topped 80 non-sack rushing yards four times, he has completed 68% of his passes with 16 TDs and only three interceptions since NIU, and most importantly, Notre Dame is 10-0 since then, too. -- Connelly

CFP Player Rank: The top 50 players in the playoff

Ranking the top 50 players who will be in the College Football Playoff.

www.espn.com

 

[Golson5]

CFP Player Rank: The top 50 players in the playoff

Ranking the top 50 players who will be in the College Football Playoff.

www.espn.com

11. Jeremiyah Love​

RB, Notre Dame, sophomore
2024 stats: 949 yards, 15 TDs

He shares a backfield with the almost equally brilliant Jadarian Price, so his carry totals don't match those of other backs, but college football's 2024 hurdles champion proves his awesomeness with every touch, averaging 7.1 yards per carry and scoring a touchdown on every 9.2 carries or receptions. And of the 46 players with at least 900 rushing yards, Love's 4.1 yards per carry after contact are second to only Ashton Jeanty. -- Connelly

13. Xavier Watts​

S, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 31 solo tackles, 1 FF, 5 INTs, 8 PDs

A year ago, Watts won the Bronko Nagurski trophy as the nation's best defender, and yet in 2024, he was almost certainly better. Though his interception total dipped from seven to five, that was still tied for third most nationally. Meanwhile, Watts gave up only nine completions -- and no TDs -- as the primary defender in coverage this season, while racking up 14 passes defended, 11th most in the country. He also tallied 49 tackles, three QB hurries and a forced fumble as the centerpiece of Notre Dame's exceptional secondary. -- Hale

41. Jack Kiser​

LB, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 37 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF

No player in Notre Dame's storied history has appeared in more games wearing an Irish uniform than Kiser, who is up to 66 in his sixth year with the program. A team captain this fall, he leads Notre Dame with 66 tackles, including three for loss and one sack, and he has added a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries. The 6-2, 231-pound Kiser anchors a Notre Dame defense that ranks third nationally in fewest points allowed and has fueled the team's CFP run. -- Rittenberg

43. Riley Leonard​

QB, Notre Dame, senior
2024 stats: 2,092 yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs

At first, his tenure as Notre Dame's starting quarterback was defined by a dismal loss to Northern Illinois. But since Week 3, he has been the seventh-best quarterback in college football (and third best in the CFP) based on Total QBR. He has topped 80 non-sack rushing yards four times, he has completed 68% of his passes with 16 TDs and only three interceptions since NIU, and most importantly, Notre Dame is 10-0 since then, too. -- Connelly

CFP Player Rank: The top 50 players in the playoff

Ranking the top 50 players who will be in the College Football Playoff.

www.espn.com

When you put Kiser above Mills and Cross it tells me you don't really know the team ESPN

 

[PHJIndy]

Espn = mostly entertainment!

 

[graceh90]

When you put Kiser above Mills and Cross it tells me you don't really know the team ESPN

Mills and Cross have to have career games tomorrow. I really hope Cross is 100% because they need to go all in

 

[ZibbyQuinn]

When you put Kiser above Mills and Cross it tells me you don't really know the team ESPN

Agreed, although both have been mediocre compared to expectations.

 

[sjb75]

When you put Kiser above Mills and Cross it tells me you don't really know the team ESPN

You may be right, that said, Cross and Mills aren’t dominant enough to complain.

 

[Golson5]

You may be right, that said, Cross and Mills aren’t dominant enough to complain.

Mills was a 2nd team all american by one outlet

 

[echowaker]

When you put Kiser above Mills and Cross it tells me you don't really know the team ESPN

Kiser has definitely had the best season of the three in my opinion. He and Watts have been the most consistent in their play.

 

[NDinNJ]

Espn = mostly entertainment!

Hence the name Entertainment Sports Programming Network.

 

[Golson5]

Kiser has definitely had the best season of the three in my opinion. He and Watts have been the most consistent in their play.

🤣🤣 okay

Kiser has been interchangeable all year. All 5 LBs play well. KVA Bowen Sneed Ausberry Kiser. Difference is not obvious at all

Mills has been the better player. Cross when healthy as well

 

[echowaker]

Agreed, although both have been mediocre compared to

🤣🤣 okay

Kiser has been interchangeable all year. All 5 LBs play well. KVA Bowen Sneed Ausberry Kiser. Difference is not obvious at all

Mills has been the better player. Cross when healthy as well

Mills and Cross rotate in and out also. Do you even watch ? Kiser is the leader of the defense. He's the guy who gets everyone set. He's been way more consistent.

 

[Golson5]

Mills and Cross rotate in and out also. Do you even watch ? Kiser is the leader of the defense. He's the guy who gets everyone set. He's been way more consistent.

Kiser is a good player on the defense but if he is out for multiple games we are fine.

If Mills goes out we're screwed. You saw without Cross against SC. Those 2 are invaluable.

Mills has been better. More disruptive behind the los. More valuable a player

 

[ZibbyQuinn]

Kiser is a good player on the defense but if he is out for multiple games we are fine.

If Mills goes out we're screwed. You saw without Cross against SC. Those 2 are invaluable.

Mills has been better. More disruptive behind the los. More valuable a player

Main reason being there is depth at LB, not Hinish waiting in the wings. Don’t have that luxury of say an elite 2015 DL with Sheldon Day, Okwara, Rochelle, Tillery, Jarron Jones, Jay Hayes, Daniel Cage.

Mills might be one of most over rated guys for his career at ND. Hype and eye test never matched production. Cross had a breakout year last year and hasn’t maintained that bar.

Think Echo is stating Kiser brings the intangibles of leadership, not punching dudes in the face.

 

[PHJIndy]

Hence the name Entertainment Sports Programming Network.

Hence the emphasis on Entertainment rather than just sports. Or haven't you noticed.

 

[Golson5]

Main reason being there is depth at LB, not Hinish waiting in the wings. Don’t have that luxury of say an elite 2015 DL with Sheldon Day, Okwara, Rochelle, Tillery, Jarron Jones, Jay Hayes, Daniel Cage.

Mills might be one of most over rated guys for his career at ND. Hype and eye test never matched production. Cross had a breakout year last year and hasn’t maintained that bar.

Think Echo is stating Kiser brings the intangibles of leadership, not punching dudes in the face.

Another good performance by Mills before injury. Having a very good year

2nd team AA