Beaux Collins on Riley Leonard: 'He's 1-of-1'

Two of the ACC’s premium playmakers joined Notre Dame through the transfer portal this offseason. With former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard and former Clemson wide receiver Beaux Collins both taking their talents to the Fighting Irish ahead of a highly anticipated 2024 season in South Bend.

Leonard had an injury-riddled 2023 season at Duke with seven game appearances, but will look to come back healthy and stronger this year as one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks.

In a recent press conference, Collins opened up about his offseason alongside Leonard and what separates his new teammate from the rest.

“Man, he’s definitely one of one for sure,” Collins said. “He also was part of my decision to come here man, I played him last year as well, and he’s just a great competitor. Doesn’t quit or anything like that.”

Leonard played a major role in one of the most exciting upset wins last college football season against Collins’ former team. Throwing for 175 yards and rushing for 98 yards and a score as unranked Duke would defeat No. 9 Clemson to kick off the season in Week 1.

Regarded as a tremendous athlete who would have played college basketball, Leonard joins Notre Dame with 4,450 passing yards, 1,224 rushing yards, and 43 total touchdowns in his 27 game appearances for Duke. But there’s one specific part of his game that Collins is particularly excited about that pairs perfectly with his style of play.

“I really liked his deep ball man, it’s a lot different. You can run under it, he gets it to you,” Collins explained.

Injuries have also played a part in Collins’ three-year college career, but he still has 91 receptions for 1,290 yards and 11 touchdowns to his name in his 32 games for Clemson. Also speaking about Leonard’s leadership, which could be the difference in the Fighting Irish offense reaching new heights.

“He’s also a leader for sure, he gets us all together. He’s the one who sends the text messages, what the coaches think, things like that and it’s just a good chain of command from the coaches all the way down,” Leonard said. “He helps us a lot for sure.”

Along with Leonard and Collins, Notre Dame also added new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to their staff this offseason after he led an explosive LSU offense that won quarterback Jayden Daniels a Heisman Trophy. Heights that Leonard is hoping to reach this season that could potentially propel his new squad to the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff this year.