Newsstand: Two Notre Dame standouts are among the top 25 college football non-quarterbacks.

As the 2025 college football season inches closer, preseason lists and player rankings are beginning to flood the news cycle, offering fans and analysts alike a glimpse into the potential superstars of the fall. While quarterbacks often dominate headlines and Heisman conversations, football’s backbone is built on elite talent across the field — from disruptive edge rushers to shutdown corners and dominant offensive linemen.

That’s why ESPN’s annual “Top 25 Non-Quarterbacks in College Football” list, which filters out the glitz of the QB position to spotlight the game’s true difference-makers, carries so much weight. This year, Notre Dame fans have plenty to celebrate as two of their own have cracked the prestigious list. Defensive back Benjamin Morrison and offensive tackle Joe Alt are not only among the top 25, but both are projected to be among the nation’s elite at their positions in 2025.

Their inclusion is a testament to Notre Dame’s recent recruiting success and commitment to developing NFL-ready talent under head coach Marcus Freeman. Let’s take a closer look at why Morrison and Alt earned these honors — and what it means for the Fighting Irish’s title hopes this season.

A third-year player who has already gained a reputation as one of the premier defensive backs in college football, Benjamin Morrison is poised for a breakout 2025 campaign that could push him into first-round NFL Draft conversations.

Since arriving in South Bend, Morrison has shown a knack for big plays in critical moments. In his freshman year, he introduced himself to the college football world with six interceptions — including two against Clemson and one against USC in a primetime game. His instinctual ability to read quarterbacks and diagnose route combinations puts him in rare company.

But Morrison is more than just a ballhawk. What makes him truly elite is his technique and composure. He consistently shadows top receivers and isn’t prone to penalties — a trait that NFL scouts rave about.

In 2024, Morrison allowed just 40.3% of passes thrown his way to be completed. He also broke up 10 passes and notched three interceptions, anchoring a defense that finished in the top 10 nationally in passing yards allowed per game.

With the departure of All-American safety Xavier Watts to the NFL, Morrison now becomes the face of Notre Dame’s secondary — and perhaps the entire defense.

Standing 6-foot and weighing a solid 190 pounds, Morrison has the frame and versatility NFL teams covet. He can play press-man coverage, drop back into a zone shell, or be deployed in hybrid schemes. Scouts compare his skill set to that of Patrick Surtain II or Jaire Alexander, with a ceiling that could land him in the top half of the first round come April 2026.

If Morrison continues to build on his elite ball skills and shutdown ability in man coverage, he could find himself in the conversation for the Jim Thorpe Award and other national honors this fall.

While Morrison locks things down in the secondary, Notre Dame’s offensive front is held together by Joe Alt, a towering and technically sound left tackle who has been dominant since stepping on the field.

Alt, the son of former NFL Pro Bowl offensive lineman John Alt, is a classic “plug-and-play” tackle who blends size (6-foot-7, 315 pounds) with surprising agility. A unanimous All-American in 2024, Alt has become a cornerstone for the Irish offense and a projected top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

He allowed just one sack over the past two seasons and consistently grades out as one of the best pass blockers in the country, per Pro Football Focus. His footwork, ability to mirror edge rushers, and awareness in blitz pickup make him invaluable in both run and pass schemes.

In a year when Notre Dame will likely field a new starting quarterback, Alt’s leadership and protection on the blind side will be critical.

Notre Dame has a rich legacy of elite offensive linemen — from Quenton Nelson and Zack Martin to Ronnie Stanley and Mike McGlinchey. Joe Alt is next in line to not only carry that tradition but possibly surpass it. If he stays healthy and continues to perform at a high level, he could be the first offensive lineman off the board in 2026.

In a recent interview with ESPN, former Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand called Alt “one of the most mature and NFL-ready players I’ve ever coached.”

Having two players among the top 25 non-quarterbacks in college football is no small feat. In fact, Notre Dame is one of only six programs with multiple inclusions on the list, joining Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, and Ohio State.

For a team that has come close to College Football Playoff contention in recent years but hasn’t broken through, these kinds of top-end players are critical. Marcus Freeman, entering his third full year as head coach, has emphasized not only recruiting stars but developing them. Morrison and Alt are examples of both strategies paying off.

If Notre Dame is to make a serious run at a national title, players like Morrison and Alt will need to be at their very best — not just as performers but as leaders.

• Morrison must lead a retooled secondary and help mask any growing pains from less experienced safeties.
• Alt must keep his new quarterback upright and create running lanes for a backfield that is deep but unproven beyond Jadarian Price.

The balance of veteran leadership and star talent gives Notre Dame a legitimate shot to be more than just a top-10 team — they could break into the top 4 if they can win big early against teams like Texas A&M and Florida State.

While Morrison and Alt earned national attention, Notre Dame has other players who may soon join the conversation:

The sophomore wideout flashed big-play potential as a freshman and is expected to be a focal point in the Irish offense. With a new quarterback likely at the helm, Greathouse could benefit from increased volume and emerge as one of the best receivers in the country.

A former five-star recruit, Bowen is a versatile linebacker who could be the emotional and physical leader of the defense. With JD Bertrand gone, Bowen steps into a central role in Al Golden’s scheme.

A physical specimen with NFL upside, Mills has flashed pass-rushing skills but needs a fully healthy and consistent campaign to draw national recognition.

To put Morrison and Alt’s achievements in perspective, here are some other big names they join on the list:

• Harold Perkins (LB, LSU) – An athletic freak who can play all over the field, Perkins came in at No. 1 overall.
• Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia) – The All-American tight end continues to be a matchup nightmare and earned a top-5 spot.
• Will Johnson (CB, Michigan) – Morrison’s rival for best cornerback in the country, Johnson was ranked just ahead at No. 12.
• Olumuyiwa Fashanu (OT, Penn State) – Alt’s main competition among offensive linemen, Fashanu earned the No. 6 overall spot.

That Morrison and Alt are in the same tier as these established and elite players confirms what Notre Dame fans already suspected: the Irish have superstars on both sides of the ball.

It’s no secret that Notre Dame wants more than a New Year’s Six bowl in 2025. The College Football Playoff — and ideally, a semifinal win — remains the brass ring. To get there, Freeman and his staff will rely on their stars to shine consistently.

Morrison and Alt are more than just All-Americans-in-waiting; they are the tone-setters for a program looking to shake off its recent label as a “just outside the top 4” team.

If they stay healthy, play to their projections, and elevate those around them, Notre Dame will not only be back in the national conversation — it will be a serious contender.

So while quarterbacks will dominate the headlines as fall approaches, don’t forget the names Benjamin Morrison and Joe Alt. Because if Notre Dame makes a playoff push, it won’t just be because of who’s throwing the football — it’ll be thanks to who’s protecting it and who’s taking it away.