Duke football fans would be forgiven for holding some animosity toward quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag].
After all, the Blue Devils won nine games with him under center in 2022 and got off to a 4-0 start before he injured his ankle. However, despite the upward trajectory in Durham, Leonard instead left for Notre Dame through the transfer portal.
While every member of the Duke fanbase may not wish him the best with the Fighting Irish, former teammate DeWayne Carter certainly does. In a recent ESPN article, the former All-ACC defensive lineman had nothing but kind words for Leonard.
“Riley is the farthest thing from selfish in this universe,” Carter said. “He did all he could to come back for us [from the ankle injury], and he had a right to make a decision for himself. It was never a secretive thing. He had conversations with us, and I told him I supported him.”
The pair’s former coach, Mike Elko, also left the program last year. He became the head coach at Texas A&M, the team Leonard and Notre Dame beat on Saturday to begin the 2024 season.