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Newsstand: Where Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard stacks up with preseason Heisman contenders

Singer headshotby:Mike Singer•06/25/24•

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leonard (15)
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. (Photo by Chad Weaver)

On3’s Jesse Simonton published an article Friday with his top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates ahead of the 2024 season, and it included Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard.

In the past 20 years, only four non-quarterbacks have won the prestigious award, and Simonton only has signal-callers on his preseason candidates list.

Leonard, who has one year of eligibility left after a few seasons at Duke, was listed at No. 7 on Simonton’s list.

“Leonard could be a sneaky dark horse candidate in 2024, as the former Duke player will now be in the spotlight playing quarterback for one of the most popular brands in the sport,” Simonton wrote.

“He definitely must see a huge uptick in production after totaling just seven touchdowns in an injury-riddled 2023 season, but Leonard will be surrounded by much better talent (especially at offensive line and receiver). Leonard did have 33 total touchdowns in 2022 when he led the Blue Devils to one of their best seasons in school history. If he leads the Irish back to the CFP, then he’ll be on the shortlist of candidates with a spot in New York City.”

In order, here are Simonton’s top preseason Heisman contenders: Carson Beck (Georgia), Quinn Ewers (Texas), Dillon Gabriel (Oregon), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Cam Ward (Miami), Riley Leonard (Notre Dame), Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee), Will Howard (Ohio State) and Noah Fifita (Arizona).

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“I’m not really missing much. I feel like everything I could have got there I could get here. Obviously, Harvard is probably more known for academics. But after touring both places, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything, really.”

— Notre Dame freshman OT Guerby Lambert on early days as a Fighting Irish student-athlete after previously considering Harvard as a recruit

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