Notre Dame WR Micah Gilbert Building Confidence In Battles With Leonard Moore
It’s a familiar fall camp battle for Notre Dame.
Chase Claypool and Miles Boykin went up against Julian Love on a daily basis during their time in South Bend.
In 2026, it’s Micah Gilbert facing All-American cornerback Leonard Moore every day.
Both players have embraced an iron-sharpens-iron mindset, and it has created an intense competition in the boundary.
“It’s the same mindset as the rest of the team,” Gilbert stated. “Just attack everything we do. We all want to be the best out there, so every time I get to line up against him, it's just attack him. I want to win.”
It would be easy for Gilbert to shy away from facing one of the nation’s top cornerbacks, but the North Carolina native actively seeks out the challenge.
“I want to go to the best any chance I get, so I'm excited every time I see him line up against me because it's only pushing me to be better,” explained Gilbert. “We have some of the best players in the country. Leonard has proven himself to be one of the top players. It just gives me the opportunity to compete against him every day.”
Moore believes Gilbert has begun to show more consistency, particularly with his ability to make catches and his releases off the line of scrimmage.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver has made a point of testing Moore with a variety of releases, preparing himself for the different styles of cornerbacks he’ll face this fall.
“Every defensive player plays different, so just working on using different tactics based on different guys and speeding them up, slowing them down,” said Gilbert. “Just trying to work on my craft to be better.”
Gilbert recorded nine catches for 93 yards and a touchdown last fall before a hand injury slowed his progress.
He has flashed plenty of potential during his first two years on campus, but injuries have prevented him from finding the consistency he’s looking for.
That hasn’t been an issue so far this fall.
“I’m feeling good,” stated Gilbert. “My body feels good. I'm ready to just attack and compete.”
That health has allowed Gilbert to develop the consistency Moore highlighted, while also giving the young receiver greater confidence in his ability.
“That grows each and every year that you compete,” Gilbert said of his growing confidence. “So just getting out there, going against the best, more confident in my ability to go out there and make the plays. My teammates that are counting on me. I'm just excited to play.”
Gilbert, like every other player in the building, understands the expectations surrounding Notre Dame entering the season.
The receiver room figures to play a significant role in determining the ceiling of this team and Gilbert believes the group has the chemistry to make a major impact.
“It's just always the brotherhood,” said Gilbert. “Off the football field, a lot of us are still really good friends, so just going out there and competing with your brothers, it just brings a lot of joy, seeing them successful and them seeing you successful. Going out to battle with them every single play, every single fight. It'll be fun.”
Want the latest scoop on Notre Dame Football and Recruiting? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Under Armour 2026 Sideline Unstoppable Woven Full-Zip Jacket
