Marcus Freeman explains why he wanted Riley Leonard in transfer portal
Notre Dame went in the portal for a quarterback for the second straight cycle and hit again with former Duke QB Riley Leonard. As such, Marcus Freeman couldn’t be more thrilled with the addition considering what it’ll mean for the Fighting Irish offense.
Freeman addressed Leonard’s transfer during his press conference on National Signing Day. The fact of the matter is that, in their building, they feel as though they got a commitment from the best quarterback available, regardless of skillset.
“He was the best quarterback that, we believed, was in the portal,” said Freeman.
To Freeman, it’s less about ability and more about talent and success. Notre Dame can run what they please but it won’t be as effective without the best of the best. That’s why he wanted the top players, like they believe Leonard to be, and will run what fits them the best as far as a system from there.
“To me? You get the best players first. Then you say, ‘Okay, how do we tailor what we do around those guys?'” Freeman said. “That is so important.”
“We weren’t looking for a pocket-passer, we weren’t looking for a dual-threat guy. We were saying, as we look to take another guy, a quarterback to add to this program, who’s the best one that fits this place?” said Freeman. “I’ve always said that – the best one that fits this place. Then how do we tailor what we do offensively around those guys?”
Leonard was part of the Blue Devils’ program for the last three years. After seven appearances as a freshman, he became the full-time starter in Durham over the last two seasons.
During his career in the ACC, Leonard completed 61.8% of his throws for 4,450 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for over 1,200 yards and scored 19 more times on the ground.
In total, Duke went 13-8 in Leonard’s starts, specifically going 9-4 in 2022 for the team’s best record since 2014. It could have been an even better mark had he not missed a chunk of this season with an ankle injury that, ironically enough, he suffered in a loss to Freeman and Notre Dame as well as a toe injury later on.
Leonard is the No. 5 QB and No. 9 transfer overall according to On3’s Portal Rankings. After a short process, he chose the Fighting Irish. He will now follow the footsteps that Sam Hartman made this past season in South Bend.
Freeman wanted talent now and will answer the other questions that need resolutions later. He certainly found some in the form of a quality quarterback in Leonard and, from here, it’s about building an offense under Mike Denbrock, the team’s new offensive coordinator, that fits what he’ll need as their QB1.
“That’s the situation, more than anything, with Riley,” said Freeman.