Notre Dame cornerbacks Leonard Moore, Christian Gray embracing ‘revenge tour’ mindset

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- With the Blue-Gold Game about two weeks away, Notre Dame is getting closer to showing what it has built during spring practice.

A position group to keep an eye on is the cornerbacks, where Leonard Moore and Christian Gray are expected to anchor the secondary heading into the 2026 season. Earlier in the week, Moore described the team’s approach as a “revenge tour.” Then on Friday, Gray echoed the same message and made it clear the Irish want to leave no doubt this fall after missing the CFP playoffs by one spot. 

Over the last two seasons, Gray has shown consistency, combining for a total of five interceptions and 52 tackles. Now, this spring, he gets a shot to work at nickelback after spending time at field corner. The move could give the Irish another option in the secondary while allowing Gray to use his instincts and playmaking ability in a different role.

Moore, on the other hand, enters the 2026 season as one of the headliner vets on Notre Dame’s defense. The junior is coming off a standout 2025 season in which he recorded five interceptions, earned unanimous All-American honors and finished as a Thorpe Award finalist. With NFL expectations surrounding him, Moore has the pressure to be one of the biggest difference-makers on the Irish defense this season.

Gray said the energy around the team has been noticeable throughout spring ball.

“We believe this is our revenge tour for sure,” Gray said. “Because we got a lot more heat on the field... I just know for sure this season is going to be very exciting and we are not going to play with our food.”

Notre Dame will continue spring practice leading up to the Blue-Gold Game later this month.