Let’s be honest… Notre Dame could have had 4 more names on this watch list, but Anthonie Knapp and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa are as good as it gets in college football.
Knapp, Viliamu-Asa Named to Lombardi Award Watch List
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Junior offensive lineman Anthonie Knapp and junior linebacker Kynston Viliamu-Asa were both named to the Lombardi Award Watch List, presented to outstanding linemen and linebackers who best epitomize his values of leadership, courage, performance, and discipline on and off the field.
Notre Dame has had five winners of the Lombardi Award: DE Walt Patulski (1971), DE Ross Browner (1977), DT Chris Zorich (1990), OL Aaron Taylor (1993) and LB Manti Te’o (2012). Notre Dame student-athletes who were finalists for the Lombardi Award include OG Larry DiNardo (1970), DL Steve Niehaus (1975), DL Ross Browner (1976), TE Ken MacAfee (1977), LB Bob Crable (1981), DL Chris Zorich (1989), OT Aaron Taylor (1992) and OT Joe Alt (2023).
Knapp, who was also named to the Outland Trophy Watch List earlier this month, started all 12 games last year at left tackle and 29 in total the past two seasons.
Behind Knapp and the Notre Dame offensive line, the Irish displayed one of the nation’s premier rushing attacks. Notre Dame finished the 2025 season tied for third nationally with 5.69 yards per carry, tied for fifth with 38 rushing touchdowns and ranked sixth among Power 4 programs with 203.4 rushing yards per game. The Irish’s 5.69 yards per carry marked the second-highest single-season average in program history, while their 38 rushing touchdowns matched the third-most in a season at Notre Dame.
Also a member of the Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List this preseason, Viliamu-Asa saw action in 11 games last year, making two starts before missing the final game of the season due to injury. The Inland Empire, California native finished fourth on the team with 48.0 total tackles. He also notched 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks to go along with an interception, two pass breakups and five quarterback hurries during his sophomore campaign.
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