Notre Dame leads Sporting News preseason All-America defensive first team with three honorees

When the Sporting News released its 2024 preseason college football All-America team on Wednesday, no team had more first-team defenders recognized than Notre Dame. 

The Sporting News — one of five official postseason selectors used to determine consensus and unanimous All-American — named Fighting Irish defensive tackle Howard Cross III, cornerback Benjamin Morrison and safety Xavier Watts to their preseason first team. 

At the end of last season, the Sporting News helped Watts achieve unanimous All-America status. They named him to their postseason All-America first-team. Cross earned a spot on the second team in 2023. 

The Irish also had two preseason second-teamers — tight end Mitchell Evans and kick returner Jayden Harrison. 

Only Michigan had as many preseason first-teamers acknowledged as Notre Dame. On the other hand, Ohio State (5) was the only school with more non-specialists noted than the Irish. Alabama and Georgia had four players each, while Oregon and Texas had three. 

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