Newsstand: Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard wins competition at Manning Passing Academy
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard proved he throws the best deep ball in college football. Leonard won the Air It Out Challenge on Saturday night at the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La.
Leonard beat out several other collegiate signal-callers, including Texas’ Quinn Ewers, Alabama’s Jalen MIlroe, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold, Missouri’s Brady Cook, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and West Virginia’s Garrett Greene. About 45 quarterbacks participated in the annual premier college football quarterback event.
The Manning Passing Academy is spearheaded by Archie Manning, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Cooper Manning. According to the camp’s website, the Mannings are dedicated to helping players fully realize their potential on and off the football field. This year marked the 28th anniversary of the camp.
Leonard is just scratching the surface of his on-field potential. He arrived in South Bend this winter as a Duke transfer. The 6-4, 216-pounder only played 7 games last season after suffering an ankle injury on Sept. 30 against the Irish. On3 liked what they saw from him about nine months later at the Manning Passing Academy:
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“Leonard was one of the more impressive quarterbacks at Friday Night Lights a year ago when he was entering the 2023 season as Duke’s starting quarterback. Now, he’s taking over QB1 duties in South Bend, and the Irish are getting a quarterback with plenty of upside.
“Leonard has proven he can run the ball with an imposing 6-foot-4, 215-plus pound frame. And after recovering from a pair of offseason surgeries, Leonard flashed a big arm on Friday night – and he won the event after forcing a three-man overtime that resulted in only Leonard hitting the downfield moving target.
“With former LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock now at Notre Dame, Leonard has a chance to be one of the country’s most talked-about quarterbacks this fall.”
Leonard will return to the practice field when the Irish kick off preseason camp on July 31.
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Notre Dame Quote of the Weekend
“If you were walking around in my body, you wouldn’t even know you had any injuries in the first place. I’m feeling good. There are no limitations to the workout-wise that I’m doing.”
— Leonard on his health after missing most of spring practice while recovering from an ankle procedure.
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