Notre Dame LB commit Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa honored by All-American Bowl
The All-American Bowl is honoring prospects who are committed to playing in the prestigious postseason all-star game as part of a virtual jersey presentation. And a Notre Dame commit was honored on Wednesday night.
Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco’s Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who ranks as the No. 75 overall player and No. 7 linebacker according to the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking, officially became a part of the All-American Bowl family, receiving his jersey during a virtual presentation.
Having been selected to play in the twenty-fourth edition of the All-American Bowl, Viliamu-Asa will play in the annual East vs. West matchup inside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The 2024 All-American Bowl on January 6, 2024 will be presented live on NBC and Peacock.
The All-American Bowl always has Notre Dame players, and last week, Glen Ellyn (Ill.) Glenbard South five-star wideout and Irish pledge Cam Williams received his AAB jersey.
Other Irish players who are expected to play in the game includes Roxbury (Mass.) Catholic Memorial offensive tackle Guerby Lambert, Lufkin (Texas) High running back Kedren Young and potentially Saline (Mich.) High quarterback CJ Carr in San Antonio.
On Monday, Viliamu-Asa was named semifinalist for the 2023 High School Butkus Award along with fellow Irish linebacker pledge Bodie Kahoun. The pair of Fighting Irish verbal commitments comprise a sixth of the semifinalist list for the award that honors the nation’s top linebacker.
The Butkus Award plans to release finalists on Nov. 21. It will announce the winner on Dec. 7. It initially had 51 high school football linebackers on a September watch list, including Irish four-star EDGE commit Bryce Young from Charlotte (N.C.) Christian.
Last year, Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen won the award after an outstanding senior season at Merrillville (Ind.) Andrean. In 14 games, he registered 144 total tackles (90 solo), 19 tackles for loss and five sacks. Not to mention five pass breakups, four caused fumbles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt.
Former Notre Dame linebackers Manti Te’o (2008), Jaylon Smith (2012) and Prince Kollie (2020) previously earned the honor in high school. Smith and Te’o are the only players to win the high school and collegiate awards. Kollie transferred to Vanderbilt in the spring after two seasons with the Irish.
