Newsstand: Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard named to Maxwell Award Watch List
The Maxwell Football Club announced its list of 80 names to its preseason watch list Monday, and Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard made the cut, which comes as no surprise.
He’s the only player listed from the Fighting Irish. To see the entire watch list for the award that will be announced at the end of the year, click here.
Leonard shined in his breakout 2022 season, leading Duke to a 9-4 record in then-head coach and former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Mike Elko‘s first season in Durham, N.C. He threw 391 times, completing 250 passes for 2,967 yards (7.6 yards per attempt), 20 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, but his biggest strength proved to be his legs.
As a runner, Leonard carried 124 times for 699 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022. He followed that up with 58 carries for 352 yards and 4 scores in 2023, as his 6-foot-4, 212-pound frame and long-striding speed make him difficult to bring down.
This past season, Leonard went 95-of-165 as a passer for 1,102 yards, 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He only played in two games after suffering an ankle injury Sept. 30 against Notre Dame and a toe injury Oct. 28 against Louisville.
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After injuring his ankle, Leonard’s numbers took a dive. Against Florida State and Louisville, he went a combined 16-of-39 for 190 yards with no touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He only tallied 26 rushing yards and he was sacked 4 times.
The Maxwell Award is presented to the best player in college football. The award is named after Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, a Swarthmore College football player, coach, and sportswriter. The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 by his friend, Bert Bell, to present awards in his name to promote football safety.
Notre Dame tweets of the day
Quote of the day
“Notre Dame is the best college football program in America. I think it’s just got an all-around commitment to excellence, whether that’s on the sporting field or in the classroom.”
— New Irish punter James Rendell
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