X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Top 10 Greatest Notre Dame Football Players Of All Time

Notre Dame College Football Logo

Andy Smith's top Notre Dame football players of all time. Read his top 10 Notre Dame football players and power rankings.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish - NCAA College Team Logo Stock

Top 10 Greatest Notre Dame Football Players Of All Time

In this ranking, we will analyze the top 10 greatest players in Notre Dame football history. We will look at career statistics, legacy, and impact during their time with the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame College Football Logo

No. 10: Brady Quinn, QB

Brady Quinn stands at the top of almost every passing record in Notre Dame history. Quinn totaled 11,762 yards with 95 total touchdowns across four full seasons. Both statistics are the most in school history. Quinn also holds the record for the most passing yards in a single season (3,919). However, his modest 240 passing yards per game and lack of accolades place him at the No. 10 spot on this list.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish - NCAA College Team Logo Stock

No. 9: Manti Te'o, LB

After a quiet rookie campaign, Manti Te’o played a significant role during his final three seasons in South Bend. Over his final three seasons, Te’o tallied at least 110 combined tackles in each campaign. During his senior season, Te’o finished second in the Heisman voting. During that campaign, he tallied a career-best seven interceptions.

Notre Dame College Football Logo

No. 8: Raghib Ismail, RB/WR

Raghib Ismail was an impact playmaker at Notre Dame. He won a National Championship during his first freshman season (1988) and caught two scores and 331 yards during that season. However, over his final two seasons (sophomore and junior), Ismail tallied at least 1,000 scrimmage yards in each campaign. During his third and final season, Ismail ran for 537 yards and caught 699 en route to being named an All-American and finishing second in the Heisman voting.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish - NCAA College Team Logo Stock

No. 7: Jerome Bettis, RB

After just scoring one touchdown during his first season, Jerome Bettis developed into an elite power back over his next two seasons at Notre Dame. During his second season (and first as a full-time starter), he found the back of the end zone 20 times and posted a stellar 6.3 YPC. Then, in his third and final year, Bettis showed similar consistency, tallying 6.3 YPC once again with 12 TDs. He totaled over 1,000 scrimmage yards in each of these two campaigns.

Notre Dame College Football Logo

No. 6: George Connor, OL

George Connor only played in 18 games with the Fighting Irish but held an incredible 17-0-1 record. Connor was a force on the offensive line as he won the first-ever Outland Trophy, which is given to the nation’s top interior lineman. Connor was named All-American during his two seasons at Notre Dame and went on to be an All-Pro lineman for the Chicago Bears.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish - NCAA College Team Logo Stock

No. 5: Ross Browner, DL

Ross Browner spent his entire four-year college career in South Bend. Browner was a two-time All-American (consensus) and was the recipient of two awards, the Outland Trophy in 1976 and the Maxwell Trophy in 1977. He totaled an incredible 340 tackles during his career and finished fifth in Heisman voting during the 1977 campaign.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish - NCAA College Team Logo Stock

No. 4: Alan Page, DT

Alan Page was a critical player in the interior line of the Notre Dame defense. Page started in every game he appeared in during his tenure. The defensive tackle was named All-American once. He helped the Irish post 12 shutouts during his time and totaled an impressive 66 tackles during his final season. This performance raised his draft capital as he was selected 15th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1987 NFL Draft.

Notre Dame College Football Logo

No. 3: Paul Hornung, QB

Paul Hornung only operated as the starting QB for two seasons in South Bend but made a significant impact. During his first season as a starter, Hornung was named All-American and finished fifth in Heisman voting. Then, in his final season, Hornung was awarded the 1956 Heisman Trophy and held a strong 108.0 passer rating.

Notre Dame College Football Logo

No. 2: Tim Brown, WR

Tim Brown spent his entire four-year career at Notre Dame. During his third season, Brown tallied a career-high 910 receiving yards with seven total touchdowns. Then, in his senior year, Brown was named All-American and won the Heisman Trophy (1987). During this season, Brown tallied 990 all-purpose yards with four touchdowns. Over his career, Brown tallied 2,935 scrimmage yards and found the back of the end zone 16 times.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish - NCAA College Team Logo Stock

No. 1: Joe Montana, QB

One of the greatest quarterbacks in football history takes the top spot on this list. Joe Montana only appeared in seven games during his first season. Then, over his final two campaigns, Montana took over starting duties. During the 1977 season, Montana led the Irish to a National championship. During this season, he totaled 1,604 yards and 11 scores over nine games. In his next (and final) season, Montana threw for a career-best 2,010 yards and averaged a stellar 182.7 YPG.

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Kyren Williams

Rams Not Willing to Pay Kyren Williams Top-Market Money?
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Christian Kirk

the No. 2 WR in Houston?
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Jerome Ford

the Likely Starter for Cleveland to Begin 2025
Chig Okonkwo

"Poised" for Best Season of Career
Xavier Watts

Falcons High on Xavier Watts
Xavier Restrepo

Training With Star Wideouts
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Jacob Wilson

Exits Early On Tuesday With Left Hand Contusion
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
Luis Garcia

Fans Four in Rehab Outing
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF