Five Notre Dame Stars Earn Preseason All-American Honors, Highlighting Program’s Rising Talent and National Respect Entering the 2025 Campaign
As the anticipation for the 2025 college football season builds, Notre Dame received a major boost of national recognition: five of its standout players have been named preseason All-Americans by several of the nation’s top college football publications. Honors from outlets such as Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, Lindy’s Sports, and CBS Sports have placed a national spotlight on key Irish contributors, reaffirming the talent and depth assembled under head coach Marcus Freeman.
The presence of five preseason All-Americans is not just a nod to individual excellence—it’s a statement about the direction of the Notre Dame program. It shows that the Irish are not just competitive, but stocked with elite players capable of impacting the national landscape on both sides of the ball. Each of the five honored players represents a different area of strength on the team, helping to build the identity Freeman and his staff have tirelessly worked to establish: a fast, physical, and balanced football team with star power and grit.
Leading the way is safety Xavier Watts, whose breakout 2024 season earned him consensus All-American status and the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. Watts enters 2025 as a clear front-runner to repeat both honors. His ability to read quarterbacks, patrol the back end of the defense, and deliver punishing hits makes him the cornerstone of Notre Dame’s secondary. National outlets have unanimously placed him on their first-team All-American lists, recognizing his blend of production, leadership, and consistency.
Watts finished last season with six interceptions, two forced fumbles, and over 70 tackles. But beyond the stats, his presence on the field changes how opposing offenses operate. Quarterbacks are hesitant to test deep zones when Watts is lurking, and he routinely makes game-changing plays in crucial moments. Coaches around the country have taken notice, and so have NFL scouts, who now see him as a first-round talent. As the captain of the defense, Watts embodies the high football IQ and physical edge that Notre Dame prides itself on.
On the offensive side of the ball, offensive lineman Blake Fisher has earned preseason All-American recognition for the first time in his career. A multi-year starter and one of the most experienced players on the roster, Fisher is widely regarded as one of the top offensive tackles in the nation. With Charles Jagusah sidelined to start the season due to injury, Fisher’s importance has only grown. He’s expected to anchor the offensive front, whether at right tackle or potentially sliding over to the left side.
Fisher’s power in the run game and agility in pass protection make him an NFL-ready lineman. What separates him, however, is his leadership and football intelligence. He’s the kind of lineman who can diagnose blitzes pre-snap, communicate effectively with teammates, and execute with poise under pressure. Publications have pointed to his consistency, versatility, and toughness as reasons for his All-American nods. If he stays healthy, he will be one of the most dominant linemen in college football this season.
Joining Fisher as an offensive All-American selection is running back Jadarian Price, who enters 2025 as the Irish’s top playmaker out of the backfield. Price’s speed, vision, and dual-threat ability as a receiver have made him a nightmare for defensive coordinators. After rushing for over 1,200 yards and adding 500 receiving yards last season, Price earned second-team All-American honors from Athlon and Phil Steele, with some analysts projecting him as a dark horse Heisman candidate.
What makes Price particularly dangerous is his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Whether it’s bouncing outside for a 40-yard run, lining up in the slot, or returning kicks, he’s a constant mismatch. His explosiveness and field vision make him a threat to score any time he touches the ball. Behind an elite offensive line and in a system that features running backs heavily in both the ground and passing games, Price is set to be one of the most productive players in the nation.
On the defensive front, Howard Cross III has garnered preseason All-American honors after a dominant 2024 campaign. Known for his relentless motor and disruptive presence at defensive tackle, Cross has emerged as one of the most underrated interior linemen in college football. He finished last season with eight sacks and 15 tackles for loss, often commanding double-teams and still creating chaos in the backfield.
Cross is a textbook example of development within the Notre Dame system. Not a five-star recruit coming out of high school, he’s grown into a team leader and one of the toughest matchups for opposing offensive lines. National magazines have praised his strength, technique, and ability to anchor the run defense while still generating interior pressure on passing downs. His inclusion on All-American lists speaks to both his impact and the respect he’s earned from coaches and analysts around the country.
The fifth Irish player to receive preseason All-American distinction is kicker Spencer Shrader, who returns for a sixth season after transferring to Notre Dame from South Florida. Shrader has been recognized by multiple outlets as one of the top special teams weapons in the country. His leg strength is elite—he converted multiple field goals over 50 yards last season and consistently pinned opponents deep on kickoffs.
In close games, special teams often make the difference, and Shrader’s ability to deliver under pressure has been a game-changer. He hit several clutch kicks in the final minutes last season, including a game-winner against North Carolina and a 55-yarder to force overtime at Clemson. His All-American status reflects the growing emphasis on reliable specialists in the modern game and the confidence Notre Dame has in him during high-stakes moments.
Collectively, these five preseason All-Americans give Notre Dame legitimate star power across every phase of the game—offense, defense, and special teams. But perhaps more importantly, they also bring leadership, experience, and a winning mindset to the locker room. In today’s college football landscape, where transfer portals and NIL distractions abound, having a core group of proven veterans who lead by example is invaluable.
These honors also validate the work being done behind the scenes by Marcus Freeman and his coaching staff. Since taking over, Freeman has emphasized a player-first culture rooted in development, accountability, and competitive excellence. The fact that so many of his players are being recognized nationally suggests that the program is not just talking the talk, but walking it. Notre Dame is building a roster that can win big games—and has the individual talent to shine on the biggest stages.
Recruiting will also benefit from this national recognition. High school prospects want to know they’ll be developed, showcased, and given the chance to reach the NFL. Having five preseason All-Americans sends a strong message: Notre Dame is a place where talent thrives. Whether you’re a blue-chip recruit or an under-the-radar player, if you put in the work, South Bend offers a path to greatness.
While preseason awards don’t guarantee postseason success, they do raise the bar—and the expectations. These five players will now carry the weight of national attention, and every opponent will prepare specifically to stop them. But with that pressure comes opportunity. If they perform as expected, Notre Dame could very well find itself in the College Football Playoff conversation throughout the season.
As the Irish prepare for a tough but manageable 2025 schedule, the presence of these All-Americans provides a solid foundation. Games against Ohio State, USC, Wisconsin, and Clemson will be massive tests—but they’re also stages for these players to prove their mettle. If Notre Dame makes a serious run at a national championship, it will be because players like Watts, Price, Fisher, Cross, and Shrader delivered in the biggest moments.
For now, the preseason accolades serve as a reminder: Notre Dame football is not only nationally relevant—it is elite. With talent, depth, and leadership in place, and five All-Americans leading the charge, the 2025 season could be one to remember in South Bend.
