Four Notre Dame Standouts Earn AFCA All-America Honors

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — On the fourth of five major All-America lists, the Irish again notch multiple mentions, now on the AFCA All-America teams. Graduate student offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg, senior offensive lineman Aaron Banks and senior linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah earned spots on the first team, while sophomore safety Kyle Hamilton claimed the honor on the second team. 

Eichenberg and Owusu-Koramoah, already consensus All-Americans, notch their third and fourth All-America honors, respectively. Banks marks his second first-team All-America honor this season, officially cementing his place as a consensus All-American. 

First team

Liam Eichenberg

Totaling 37-consecutive starts on his career, Eichenberg has been tabbed as one of the best linemen in the country, being named a finalist for the Outland Trophy and recipient of the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy. He was twice named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week, and is a member of an offensive line unit that has been named a finalist for the 2020 Joe Moore Award. Eichenberg was also named to the Sporting News All-America First Team and FWAA All-America First Team this season. 

Aaron Banks

Banks has racked up 30-career starts and was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance vs. Clemson (11/7). Selected to the preseason All-ACC Team, Banks is part of an offensive line that leads the ACC and ranks eighth in the FBS in time of possession, controlling the ball for 33:57 minutes of game time and winning the time of possession battle in 10-of-11 games this season. The 33:57 time of possession average leads the ACC by more than two minutes per game. Banks is now a consensus All-American, also being named to the Associated Press All-America First Team. 

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

The 2020 Butkus Award winner and ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Owusu-Koramoah is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in the nation. Also a finalist for the Bednarik Award and Bowden Trophy, and semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Owusu-Koramoah was also a finalist for the Nagurski Award. The senior has totaled 56 tackles (38 solo), 11.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks, one interception, three PBU, two FR and three FF on the season. Already a consensus All-American, Owusu-Koramoah has also been selected to the Associated Press, Sporting News and FWAA All-America First Teams this season. 

Second team

Kyle Hamilton

An All-ACC First Team selection and Bednarik Award semifinalist, sophomore Kyle Hamilton ties for the lead on the Irish defense with 56 tackles (45 solo) in 2020. Along with a 14-yard interception vs. Clemson in the ACC Championship, he has posted five PBUs, 3.5 TFL and two QB hits. He was selected to the FWAA All-America First Team and the Associated Press All-America Third Team.