This week, Notre Dame solidified its quarterback lineup with the addition of two key players, creating a blend of experience and youthful talent to secure the team's present and future success in the pivotal quarterback position.
CJ Carr, an exceptionally skilled incoming freshman, and Riley Leonard, a seasoned transfer from Duke, both formally committed to Marcus Freeman and the Irish during the early signing period. While Carr is already on campus, actively participating in practices for the upcoming Sun Bowl, Leonard is fulfilling his commitments with the Blue Devils as they prepare for the Birmingham Bowl against Troy this Saturday.
Freeman expressed admiration for Leonard's character, emphasizing his commitment to Duke even when not actively playing. Freeman commended Leonard's leadership, decision-making, and overall positive influence on his teammates. Leonard's departure from Duke was described as dignified and accompanied by heartfelt comments on social media, acknowledging the impact of his time at Duke and expressing gratitude to his teammates.
Leonard's skill set offers a different dynamic to Notre Dame's offense compared to recent years. In the previous season, the rising senior showcased his versatility, passing for 2,967 yards with 20 touchdowns, completing 64% of his passes, and adding 699 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns on the ground in 13 games.
Freeman highlighted Leonard's competitiveness, accuracy in passing, and ability to extend plays with his legs, making him a complete quarterback. He emphasized the strategic advantage of having a quarterback who can effectively run the ball, creating conflicts for opposing defenses and opening up opportunities in the passing game.
While Leonard's 2023 statistics were impacted by injuries, sidelining him for five games, he still demonstrated proficiency with 1,102 passing yards, three touchdowns, and 352 rushing yards with four touchdowns. Freeman acknowledged that Leonard's arrival would influence the offensive strategy, creating a shift in the team's play style.
When questioned about the decision to bring Leonard to Notre Dame, Freeman emphasized the pursuit of the best talent available in the transfer portal. The focus was on securing the best fit for the program, regardless of whether the quarterback was a pocket passer or a dual-threat player. Freeman stressed the importance of tailoring the offensive approach to suit the strengths of the players acquired, underlining the adaptability of the team's strategy based on the unique qualities each quarterback brings to the table.
