Transfer Portal: Former Duke QB Riley Leonard commits to Notre Dame
For the third time in four seasons, Notre Dame has acquired a likely starting quarterback in the transfer portal. Former Duke QB Riley Leonard, who will be a senior in 2024, announced his commitment to the Irish on Tuesday.
Leonard started two seasons at Duke and was considered an NFL prospect before the 2023 season. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
On Dec. 4, On3’s Pete Nakos and ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Leonard would officially visit Notre Dame on this past Wednesday and Thursday. Irish head coach Marcus Freeman confirmed in mid-November that Notre Dame would take a fourth scholarship quarterback, and he and his staff quickly identified Leonard as their top target.
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.
Leonard joins a Notre Dame quarterback room that is projected to include sophomore Steve Angeli, freshman Kenny Minchey and 2024 commit C.J. Carr. Angeli backed up graduate quarterback Sam Hartman this season and went 19-for-25 for 272 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. He could start the Sun Bowl if Hartman opts out.
Minchey appeared in two games as a freshman and was the No. 171 overall player and No. 14 quarterback in the class of 2023, per the On3 Industry Ranking. Carr is Nos. 58 and 6, respectively, on that list in the ’24 class.
Leonard hails from Fairhope, Ala and graduated from Farihope High. He was a three-star quarterback in the class of 2021, per the On3 Industry Ranking, and chose Duke over Nebraska, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Tulane.
