Two Corners, One Spotlight: The Defensive Duo Shaking Up College Football’s Biggest Award Race
The announcement that sophomore cornerbacks Leonard Moore of Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Colton Hood of Tennessee Volunteers have each been named semifinalists for the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award is a major statement, both individually and for their programs. Moore, despite missing two games this season, has emerged as Notre Dame’s most trusted defensive back — recording 15 tackles, a forced fumble, two pass deflections, and three interceptions, tied for the team lead, in just five games. Tennessee’s Hood arrived on Rocky Top in June, stepped into a starting role right away as injuries struck the cornerback room, and in eight starts has compiled 23 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception, and two defensive touchdowns — including the rare feat of both an interception return and a fumble return for a touchdown in the same season. For Moore and Hood, the semifinalist designation isn’t just a badge of honor — it elevates their national profile, strengthens their NFL prospects, and shines a light on how their respective teams are building defensive back talent.
For Notre Dame, Moore’s recognition continues a resurgence of elite play in the secondary and validates the coaching staff’s emphasis on covering the long ball and generating turnovers. Moore’s performance has led to a Pro Football Focus highest grade on the Irish defense and shows opposing quarterbacks completing only 14-of-24 passes against him. That kind of disruptive presence helps Notre Dame maintain its identity as a program capable of developing top defensive backs, which in turn aids recruiting and strengthens the overall culture of the unit. On the Tennessee side, Hood’s impact signals that the Volunteers are continuing to produce high-end defensive back talent year after year. This is the third time in four years that Tennessee has had a Thorpe semifinalist. Hood’s breakout season also arrives at a critical juncture for Tennessee’s defense, proving that the Vols can rely on younger players stepping up when veterans are injured; a message that resonates with coaching staff and recruits alike.
From a career standpoint, Moore and Hood are both greatly enhanced by this honor. For Leonard Moore, being on this list so early in his collegiate career positions him as one to watch and builds momentum for national recognition. Finalists will be announced in late November. It also shines brighter lights on his NFL trajectory, giving scouts tangible evidence of his coverage skills, ball-hawking ability, and leadership presence. While for Colton Hood, earning this nod after just one season with the Vols amplifies his value — two defensive touchdowns in one season, plus high pass-breakup totals tied for third in the SEC, show versatility and playmaking ability at a high level of competition. Equally, these players now carry added expectation — but also added opportunity — to be among the best defensive backs in the country, and whichever trajectory they follow, this semifinalist status serves as a platform for bigger honors and a polished position heading into the next level of play.
