Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore Has Already Locked Down the 2027 NFL Draft’s Top Cornerback Spot

Forget the quarterbacks and wide receivers for a second. The 2027 NFL Draft class is loaded with offensive firepower, with names like Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith dominating the headlines. But on the other side of the ball, one defensive back has already separated himself from the pack — and he’s not even done with college yet.

Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore didn’t just have a good sophomore season in 2025. He had a dominant one. The kind that makes you wonder how he’s still playing in South Bend. According to ESPN draft analysts Jordan Reid and Matt Miller, Moore is the clear-cut No. 1 cornerback in the 2027 class heading into the 2026 season.

Moore’s resume is already absurd for someone who’s only two years into his college career. He was named an All-American after the 2025 season and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and the Bronko Nagurski Award. Those aren’t participation trophies — those are the two most prestigious honors a defensive back can earn. He’s also tallied five interceptions and one pick-six, with 18 pass breakups in just two seasons.

The Case for Moore as CB1

There’s a real argument that Moore could have been a first-round pick — and potentially the top cornerback — if he were eligible for the 2026 draft. Instead, he’s the headliner of a cornerback class that includes some serious talent. Reid and Miller also ranked Georgia’s Ellis Robinson IV, Mississippi State’s Kelley Jones, and Alabama’s Zabien Brown among the top five corners. But none of them have Moore’s combination of production and pedigree.

Moore isn’t just good. He’s a shutdown corner in the truest sense. Opposing offenses game-plan around him. Scouts have noted that quarterbacks rarely throw his way, and when they do, it often ends badly. That’s the kind of reputation that makes you the man to beat in this discussion.

What’s Next for Moore?

This season is likely his last in college. Notre Dame’s defense figures to be elite, and Moore will be the centerpiece. He’ll line up against some of the best wide receivers in the country every week. If he continues at this pace, he won’t just be the top cornerback in the 2027 draft — he’ll be a top-five pick overall.

For now, Moore is the standard. The chase pack is talented, but they’re chasing. And judging by the track record, catching him won’t be easy.