The talent returning to the Notre Dame football team is reflected in the number of Irish players named to the various "watch lists" of the national awards in college football. The ten Notre Dame football players earning this recognition are as follows; Dayne Crist, Manti Teo, Darius Fleming, Braxston Cave, Harrison Smith, Michael Floyd, Zach Martin, David Ruffer, Cierre Wood and Tyler Eiffert:
LINK: DAYNE CRIST
LINK: MANTI TEO & DARIUS FLEMING
LINK: BRAXSTON CAVE
LINK: HARRISON SMITH
LINK: MICHAEL FLOYD
LINK: ZACH MARTIN
LINK: LOU GROZA
LINK: CIERRE WOOD
LINK: TYLER EIFFERT