Notre Dame has produced some of the greatest players in college football. From Heisman winners to Super Bowl champions, the Fighting Irish’s legacy spans over decades. The college is a football powerhouse and is called one of the Mount Rushmores in college football. Veteran sports commentator Tony Kornheiser called Notre Dame ‘The University of Football in America.’

Speaking of football’s Mount Rushmore, the university has an extensive list of players who could be considered. While it’s a fun debate, and everyone’s got their own opinion, it’s a tough task to pick out the all-time best. But there are some names which keep popping up.

Mount Rushmore of Notre Dame

From college’s early days to the modern era, the Mount Rushmore list has somewhat been established. When talking about Notre Dame legends, Joe Montana’s name cannot be ignored. His impact on the program continues to this day. The Quarterback popularly known as “Joe Cool” led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1977. Later, he went on to become a legend in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. He won all the four Super Bowls he played and was named as the MVP in three of those games. There’s no doubt that Montana’s achievements place him firmly in the conversation for Mount Rushmore.

Another name that always comes up is Alan Page. He led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1966 and earned recognition as a consensus All-American. Page’s iconic career saw him become the first and one of the only two defensive player to win NFL MVP. From being named to nine Pro Bowls to being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame, Page’s career is filled with accoldaes and achievements of all sorts.

Then there’s Paul Hornung, who remains the only player to be honored with the Heisman Trophy despite Notre Dame’s loss that year. Nicknamed as “The Golden Boy”. He also became the first Heisman awardee to win the NFL Most Valuable Player award, and get inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame.

And we can’t forget Tim Brown. He was also a Heisman winner, becoming the first wide receiver ever to win that award. Of course, there are other great players who could’ve made the list, but they remain one of the most iconic players to this day, and their legacy carries to this day. Now, there are some modern players as well, who have taken their game to great heights and are on the way to leaving their names on the all-time scoreboards.

Where does Riley Leonard fit into all of this?

While it’s still early in his career, Riley Leonard’s performances at Notre Dame have raised some eyebrows. As a semifinalist for the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year Award, he has made multiple appearances on the Davey O’Brien Great 8 list. His senior season included notable performances, leading Notre Dame to victories and breaking the school record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season. He was twice named as the Offensive MVP this year at Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl games.

Riley has been putting up some great numbers and showing a lot of talent. Even though he is considered a potential Draft Prospect it’s a tough standard to be on Mount Rushmore. But he has potential, and fans are looking forward to his performance at Mercedes Stadium. Maybe it’s his performance that will decide the course of his standing on the list of greatest Irish players.