On Tuesday, Notre Dame secured its highly sought-after quarterback, Riley Leonard, who officially declared his commitment to the Fighting Irish via social media. In a moment that aligned with expectations, Leonard, a transfer from Duke, is set to play immediately for Notre Dame in his final year of eligibility.
Having demonstrated impressive skills and quarterback prowess during consecutive strong seasons at Duke, Leonard emerged as a top talent in the transfer portal. His notable performances at Duke contributed to the team's success in achieving two impressive seasons.
Sources reveal that a strong family connection played a pivotal role in Leonard's decision to choose Notre Dame. His great-grandfather, James E. Curran, was a football player for the Fighting Irish and a member of the Class of 1940. Although Leonard grew up in Alabama, his deep affinity for Notre Dame, evident in his favorite movie "Rudy," influenced his choice.
Expected to assume the role of immediate starter at Notre Dame, Leonard benefits from the departure of one-year transfer Sam Hartman, who is now ineligible. The quarterback room's lack of experience positions Leonard as the prime candidate for the starting role. However, his current value in college is seen more as a dual threat than a traditional passer, and he will need another year of development to be considered in the first-round NFL draft conversation.
In 2022, Leonard led Duke to a remarkable turnaround in college football, contributing to 33 touchdowns—20 passing and 13 rushing—resulting in a 9-4 record and a dominant victory over UCF in the Military Bowl.
The 2023 season saw Leonard achieve a notable win against Clemson in the opener, propelling the Blue Devils to their highest national ranking since 1994 at No. 16. However, an ankle injury sustained late in a loss to Notre Dame affected his subsequent performances, including missing a game against NC State. Despite setbacks, he returned, only to face a toe injury that prematurely concluded his season. His overall performance in seven games included 1,102 yards passing, 352 yards rushing, and seven total touchdowns.
In his 21 starts at Duke, Leonard achieved a 13-8 record. The 2023 season, consisting of seven games, saw him throw three touchdown passes and rush for four more. Over his career, he amassed 4,450 passing yards, 24 touchdown passes, 1,224 rushing yards, and 19 rushing touchdowns, maintaining an average of 5.3 yards per carry.
A significant consideration for Leonard at Notre Dame will be the available receiving options. In both of Marcus Freeman's seasons at South Bend, the wide receiver unit has been identified as a program weakness. To address this, Notre Dame made changes by firing receivers coach Chansi Stuckey and bringing in Mike Brown. The Irish also secured commitments from two top wide receivers in the NCAA transfer portal: former Clemson wide receiver Beaux Collins and former Florida International wide receiver Kris Mitchell.
Notably, Notre Dame was the sole official visit Leonard took after announcing his transfer from Duke, indicating a mutual commitment between him and the university. Leonard encapsulated his sentiments on Instagram, declaring the moment as "A dream come true."
