SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Associated Press released its Preseason All-American list Monday afternoon and the Irish were well represented. Offensive lineman Cain Madden, running back Kyren Williams (honored as an all-purpose player) and safety Kyle Hamilton were named to the First Team, while Jarrett Patterson earned second-team honors.
Hamilton, who has been tabbed to the 2021 Walter Camp Preseason All-America First Team, Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award watch list, Thorpe Award watch list and 2021 Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list, 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.
Williams has already been named to the 2021 Maxwell Award Watch List, 2021 Hornung Award Watch List, 2021 Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list and a candidate for the 2021 Doak Walker Award. He comes off a redshirt freshman season being selected to the 2020 FWAA Freshman All-America Team, and was one of three finalists for the Shaun Alexander/FWAA Freshman Player of the Year Award.
The ACC Rookie and Offensive Rookie of the Year, Williams made a definitive mark on Notre Dame’s offense, and created a challenging matchup for defenses from across the FBS, in 2020. He was the only freshman to surpass 1,000 rushing yards on the year, totaling 1,125 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, the most rushing TDs among any freshman player. Williams reached the 100-yard rushing mark in six games in 2020.
Madden, who has been named to the 2021 Walter Camp Preseason All-America First Team, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award watch lists, is a graduate transfer after spending the last four seasons with Marshall. He was a Walter Camp Second Team All-American and an AP Second Team All-American after he started 9-of-10 games for the Thundering Herd in 2020. Madden and the offensive line paved the way for Marshall to outrush their opponents in 7-of-10 games and outpass opponents in six. The Herd also won time of possession in six games in 2020. In addition to his 2020 All-America honors, Madden was named first-team All-Conference USA.
Patterson, a member of the 2021 Outland Trophy, Rimington Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award watch lists, earned an honorable mention All-America nod from Phil Steele in 2020 after only being able to play in eight games last season due to an injury. Patterson’s performance in those eight games was impressive, and he finished 2020 with 21-career starts under his belt, while being named to the Associated Press All-Conference Second Team and by the conference to the All-ACC Third Team.
He was a member of the 2020 offensive line that was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, honoring the best offensive line unit in college football. The line paved the way in 2020 for Williams’ 1000+ rushing yard season, and helped the Irish win the time of possession battle in 11-of-12 games in 2020
The Irish will open the 2021 campaign on Sunday, Sept 5 at Florida State. They will play their home-opener against Toledo on Saturday, Sept. 11, and tickets are available for purchase by visiting UND.com/BuyTickets.
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