Notre Dame defensive coordinator Chris Ash is lauding cornerback Leonard Moore in a recent interview on his place within the team’s improved defense.
“Ultimate Corner” Leonard Moore Being Counted On For Fighting Irish’s Success
Notre Dame is seeking to improve upon its strong run in the College Football Playoff last year, and some of that hope lies in Moore’s performance. In an interview with an outlet in South Bend, Ash praised Moore, beginning with a detailed answer on how he recognized his talent, per Taylor Horka on X.
Notre Dame DC Chris Ash said Leonard Moore is “rare.”
“If you were to draw up or write up the characteristics that you want in a corner, he’s got them all. He’s long. He’s athletic. He’s quick. He’s fast. He’s tough…He’s instinctive.”
List goes on.https://t.co/965TKx744T pic.twitter.com/3h8vBxR984
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) June 10, 2025
“It took me about three or four plays into the film that I watched when I first got here. It didn’t take long. And then it didn’t take long out of practice. He’s been our boundary corner, and there are not a lot of completions over in that area. Usually when it’s a quiet day for someone like that at corner, you know he’s probably pretty good.”
Ash offered his take on why Moore is so impactful: “It’s everything. I mean, if you were to draw up or write up the characteristics that you want in a corner, he’s got them all,” he began. “He’s long. He’s athletic. He’s quick. He’s fast. He’s tough. He practices extremely hard. He’s consistently doing the right things. He’s instinctive.”
“When he takes a chance, it’s usually to make a play. And that’s usually what he does. He’s got a short memory. He doesn’t give up many plays, but when he does, he moves on to the next play. So, again, if you were to write up the prototypical corner that you would like to have playing for you, he’s probably gonna be a good one to start with.”
Ash’s words don’t come lightly – he’s been renowned for coaching four top-25 defenses in his career, including the 2014 Ohio State national championship team. He took over for Al Golden, who left Notre Dame to join the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals as their defensive coordinator.
At 6”2 and 191 pounds, Moore’s growth as a corner for the Fighting Irish was immediately seized upon as he stepped in during his freshman season last year for Christian Gray, who was injured.
He recorded 48 tackles in total, 34 of them being solo tackles. Moore also recorded two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and 11 pass breakups. He’s already been named to the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, an award for the best defensive college player in character and performance.
His trainer, Bernard (Bam) Blake, told the South Bend Tribune how the 19-year-old relishes going against opponents. “He likes to press people, he likes to laugh at people, and then he can see that they’re getting frustrated,” he said. “It’s all fun and games to him. He’s like the ultimate corner.”
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Moore started working at Blake’s complex in Austin, Texas, as a freshman wide receiver in high school before being moved to the cornerback position. “He had to learn literally everything about it. He did a tremendous job. The best thing about Leonard is he a sponge of knowledge.”
Ash looks forward to Moore’s play this season, noting, “I haven’t seen too many like him.” That’s high praise, given that the coordinator has worked with backs who’ve succeeded like Eli Apple of the Los Angeles Chargers. If Moore continues at the level of play he had last season, that sentiment might be something opposing coaches will agree with as the 2025 season kicks off.
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