NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Notre Dame junior safety Kyle Hamilton has earned selection to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason watch list, an award which recognizes the nation’s top defensive back. Hamilton is one of 40 players to be named to the list in 2021.
Tabbed to the 2021 Walter Camp Preseason All-America First Team and the Bednarik Award watch list, Hamilton was recognized as a FWAA first-team All-American in 2020, as well as a second-team Walter Camp, AFCA and Associated Press honoree in 2020.
Also named to the 2021 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, Hamilton enters his true junior season known as one of the top safeties on the college gridiron. The 2020 Bednarik Award semifinalist and first-team All-ACC selection led the Irish in tackles last season with 63 in just 11 games, adding an interception, six pass breakups and 4.5 TFL.
Hamilton had a career day in the 2020 ACC Championship game, pacing the Irish defense with 10 tackles (a career-high), one interception and an additional pass breakup. Hamilton totaled eight tackles in the first half alone.