Notre Dame leads all of College Football with most valuable players returning, and one might surprise some Fighting Irish fans
The 2025 college football season is right around the corner. Before you know it, you are going to blink your eyes, and the action will be upon us. Pro Football Focus is one of the many outlets that continues to preview the season, including the teams and players to know. In a recent post from […]
The 2025 college football season is right around the corner. Before you know it, you are going to blink your eyes, and the action will be upon us. Pro Football Focus is one of the many outlets that continues to preview the season, including the teams and players to know.
In a recent post from PFF, they listed their most valuable players returning at each position this season. The list was filled with some stars from several championship contenders in 2025, including the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Despite a recent championship odds formula from PFF that didn’t think too highly of Notre Dame, they led with the most players on the most valuable players list. The three standouts that were mentioned included All-American running back Jeremiyah Love, star cornerback Leonard Moore, and starting middle linebacker Drayk Bowen.
Love being included is a surprise to absolutely nobody. Almost a consensus selection to be the top running back in college football in 2025, Love is coming off of a truly dynamic sophomore campaign. A major catalyst for the Irish run toward the national championship, the St. Louis native led the team with 1,125 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns, averaging a stellar 6.9 yards per carry.
The dynamic weapon also added another 28 receptions for 237 yards and two more scores through the air.
Moore being mentioned also isn’t a surprise. After serving as a backup the first few games of the 2024 season, Moore capitalized on opportunity following the hip injury to star cornerback Benjamin Morrison. In his 10 starts, Moore ended the year with 48 total tackles, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and 13 passes defended. The 6-2, 195-pound cover man could very well be the best cornerback in the country this fall.
Bowen, at least for some, was probably a bit of a surprise mention. In his first season as the starting middle linebacker, the rising junior had lot of outstanding moments. He finished third on the team with 78 total tackles a season ago, and is the leading returner on the team. Bowen also collected four tackles for loss, a sack, and three forced fumbles.
When you hear the phrase “most valuable”, the world irreplaceable typically comes to mind. The interesting part about Bowen being mentioned is that he is in a deep and talented linebacker room. With players like Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Jaiden Ausberry, and Jaylen Sneed also in the room, the separation between each is pretty minimal.
Perhaps this is an urge for some Fighting Irish fans to begin appreciating Bowen a little more. He plays a throwback style, which some appreciate, but others not enough. Regardless, you can get that Bowen will once again be a very important player for one of the best defenses in college football this fall.
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