The Greatest Notre Dame Fighting Irish Players of All Time

Facts verified June 2026.

Who is the greatest Notre Dame Fighting Irish player of all time?

By the measure of championships, individual honors, and lasting impact, Joe Montana tops most all-time Notre Dame Fighting Irish rankings. The full top 5 follows.

1. Joe Montana QB \u00b7 1975–1978

   Before four Super Bowls in the NFL, Montana was "the Comeback Kid" at Notre Dame, leading the Irish to the 1977 national championship and authoring legendary comebacks.

2. Tim Brown WR \u00b7 1984–1987

   The 1987 Heisman winner and the program's all-purpose yardage leader — the most dynamic playmaker in Notre Dame history.

3. Johnny Lujack QB \u00b7 1943–1947

   The 1947 Heisman winner and the only quarterback to lead Notre Dame to three national titles, a two-way star at QB and defensive back.

4. Paul Hornung QB/HB \u00b7 1954–1956

   The "Golden Boy" and the only Heisman winner (1956) from a losing team — a testament to his individual brilliance, later a Packers legend.

5. Tony Rice QB \u00b7 1987–1989

   The triggerman of the 1988 national championship team, the option quarterback who led the Irish to their most recent consensus title.

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