# The 20 Greatest Notre Dame Football Players of All Time

> From Heisman-winning icons of the leather-helmet era to modern NFL stars forged under the Golden Dome, this list spans a century of Fighting Irish greatness. Who tops your list?

*By YPB Team · Published September 8, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-20-greatest-notre-dame-football-players-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Joe Montana** — score 1000/1000
   Quarterback who led Notre Dame to the 1977 national championship and became an NFL legend.
2. **Tim Brown** — score 706/1000
   Wide receiver who won the 1987 Heisman Trophy as one of the sport's most electrifying playmakers.
3. **Kyren Williams** — score 573/1000
   Modern-era running back whose breakout college production launched a standout NFL career.
4. **Michael Floyd** — score 573/1000
   Record-setting wide receiver and one of the program's most productive pass catchers.
5. **Raghib "Rocket" Ismail** — score 480/1000
   Explosive return specialist and receiver who terrorized opponents in the late 1980s.
6. **Jaylon Smith** — score 423/1000
   Hard-hitting linebacker regarded as one of the most dominant defenders of the 2010s.
7. **Leon Hart** — score 358/1000
   Two-way end who won the 1949 Heisman Trophy, the last lineman to do so.
8. **Chris Zorich** — score 358/1000
   Undersized but dominant defensive tackle and 1990 consensus All-American.
9. **Manti Te'o** — score 358/1000
   Heisman runner-up linebacker who anchored Notre Dame's 2012 undefeated regular season defense.
10. **Ricky Watters** — score 358/1000
   Versatile running back and receiver who starred in Notre Dame's late-1980s championship run.
11. **Joe Theismann** — score 358/1000
   1970 All-American quarterback known for his dual-threat playmaking before a long NFL career.
12. **Paul Hornung** — score 358/1000
   "The Golden Boy" quarterback who won the 1956 Heisman Trophy despite a losing team record.
13. **Justin Tuck** — score 358/1000
   Feared defensive end who became a Super Bowl-winning pass rusher in the NFL.
14. **Angelo Bertelli** — score 282/1000
   Quarterback who won the 1943 Heisman Trophy despite leaving mid-season for Marine Corps service.
15. **Johnny Lujack** — score 192/1000
   Quarterback who won the 1947 Heisman Trophy and never lost a game he started at Notre Dame.
16. **George Gipp** — score 192/1000
   Legendary 1920s halfback known as "The Gipper," whose deathbed speech inspired one of football's most famous rallying cries.
17. **Tony Rice** — score 192/1000
   Dual-threat quarterback who led the 1988 national championship team.
18. **Brady Quinn** — score 85/1000
   Prolific 2000s quarterback and Heisman finalist who set numerous school passing records.
19. **Aaron Taylor** — score 85/1000
   Dominant two-time All-American offensive guard of the early 1990s.
20. **John Huarte** — score 85/1000
   Quarterback who won the 1964 Heisman Trophy after barely playing the year before.

Tags: football, players, college football, ncaa, notre dame