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Liam Eichenberg '16 Named a Preseason All-American

By Joe Ginley '12 , 06/15/20, 4:00PM EDT

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Sports Illustrated has named Eichenberg, once a Wildcat star, a second-team All-American.

After deciding to stay at the University of Notre Dame for one more season, Liam Eichenberg '16 has drawn plenty of national attention as a top NFL Draft prospect.

Many have pegged him as a strong candidate to be selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Preseason honors have begun to roll in, as well.

Most notably, Liam Eichenberg '16 has been named a second-team preseason All-American in the Lindy’s Sports College Football National 2020 Preview.

In his first four seasons at Notre Dame, Eichenberg has emerged as a rising star. Eichenberg redshirted his freshman season in 2016 and saw sparse action in 2017 before breaking out in 2018. As a junior, Eichenberg started all 13 games of the year at left tackle, surrendering just three sacks on the year while playing 939 snaps.

As a senior, Eichenberg again started all 13 games. At left tackle, Eichenberg led the team in pass-blocking (85.6) and run-blocking (78.8) grades according to Pro Football Focus. In 496 pass plays, Eichenberg did not allow any sacks. Yes, you read that right – Eichenberg did not once surrender a sack, with only three quarterback hits and nine hurries. 

In 2020, Eichenberg could take a leap to become one of the best offensive linemen in the country.

Another name to watch is Darian Kinnard '18. The big offensive tackle is beginning to draw attention as a top tackle in college football following an outstanding sophomore season for the University of Kentucky.

Earlier this month, Kinnard was named to the 2020 Athlon Sports Preseason All-Southeastern Conference first-team.

That's two Wildcats amongst the best linemen in all of college football. Credit to the Wildcats' offense line coaches, Adam Rini '99 and Paul Yappel, on preparing these two young men for success at the college level.