[jwplayer 3KROuOP7-er0jUifI]
The folks at Pro Football Focus have been giving out grades for their top performers from the 2020 season. After yet another huge season, Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton was named by PFF as their most valuable safety in all of college football.
Most valuable safety in CFB (PFF wins above average):
▶️ Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame pic.twitter.com/qKcR3b9X6y
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 14, 2021
Hamilton led the team in tackles, over the Butkus Award winner Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, while missing parts of games due to injuries and a targeting penalty. He was named to multiple All-American lists, either on the first-team or the second.
Can't say enough about this third-and-long play from #NotreDame safety Kyle Hamilton.
Tutu Atwell is one hard cover as maybe the fastest receiver in the country. Hamilton manages to break on his route, dive around him and break up the pass without touching him. pic.twitter.com/wRenswP2Ss
— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) October 18, 2020
Yes, when you look at his interception numbers they went down (from 4 to 1), but that is due to his reputation. Teams knew going into the year that Hamilton was a ball-hawk, often scheming away from the star sophomore’s side.
KYLE HAMILTON PICKS TREVOR LAWRENCE
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 19, 2020
The safety’s tackle numbers rose from 41 his freshman season to 63 this year. Hamilton bested his 6 passes last year by one this year.
It has been an absolute joy to watch Hamilton roam the back end of the Notre Dame defense this past two seasons. In 2021, expect him to be on multiple pre-season All-American lists along with being on the Thorpe Award watch list. Hamilton should go out with a bang next year.