Tag: Riley Leonard

Former Duke quarterback announces transfer to Notre Dame

The ACC is once again losing one of its top quarterbacks to Notre Dame.

There are no surprises here: another former ACC quarterback is transferring to Notre Dame.

Former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard announced Tuesday that he will transfer to play football for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame felt like the only option, and Flighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman landed another transfer quarterback from the ACC. Let’s see if things work out better this time around.

Playing three seasons at Duke from 2021-23, Leonard completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 4,450 yards and 24 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, adding 1,224 yards and 19 more scores on the ground. He was one of the conference’s top quarterbacks but dealt with injuries throughout the 2023 season. When healthy in 2022, he threw for 2,967 yards with 20 touchdowns and rushed for 699 yards and 13 scores.

One of the biggest names in the transfer portal has made things official.

Notre Dame football gets it transfer quarterback in Riley Leonard

A great way to start your Tuesday for the Irish

After Duke transfer quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] only visited one school, it seemed like a done deal that he would commit to Notre Dame.

The wait is finally over, as Leonard committed to the Irish on Tuesday morning, giving head coach Marcus Freeman yet another quarterback who started his career elsewhere, only to finish it in South Bend.

Leonard was mostly injured this past season, so if you just look at the stats, it’s not great. However, when healthy in 2022, he threw for 2,967 yards with 20 touchdowns and rushed for 699 yards and 13 scores. Those numbers will play anywhere and the Irish will see him take over the starting quarterback spot next season.

The timing of the news is important, as yesterday it was announced that Sam Hartman would not play in the Sun Bowl, with Steve Angeli getting the starting nod.

This certainly could lead to some transfer portal movement with the current crop of quarterbacks, as there is precedence with the Irish going after graduate transfers to fill the need for the position.

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Report: Ohio State has plans to host high profile transfer quarterback

Ohio State’s search for a transfer quarterback is starting to get interesting…

It was a big surprise when Ohio State football starting quarterback Kyle McCord entered the transfer portal, leaving the Buckeyes with two viable options for the Cotton Bowl: Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz.

Just as concerning is what the room will look like next season, especially considering for the second year in a row, a new starter will lead the Buckeyes. One transfer that has been connected to Ohio State is former Duke Blue Devil [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag].

Much of the buzz with the star has focused on his interest in Notre Dame, but the Buckeyes aren’t out of the picture after Leonard officially visited South Bend.

According to this report by Ryan Roberts of Irish Breakdown, “there are tentative plans for Leonard to visit both Auburn and Ohio State.” Despite battling injuries, the junior threw for 1,102 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. His sophomore year was much better. He passed for almost 3,000 yards with 20 touchdowns and six picks. He ran for 699 yards and 13 scores.

Many options for the Buckeyes remain, but it is difficult to know which one the staff is considering bringing in to compete.

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Prominent QB to transfer instead of declaring for the 2024 NFL draft

Duke QB Riley Leonard to transfer instead of declaring for the 2024 NFL draft after a rough season

Cross Riley Leonard off the quarterback rankings for the 2024 NFL draft. The Duke quarterback has announced he’s entering the transfer portal instead of declaring for the draft after the 2023 season.

Leonard’s decision is a good one. After entering the college season with potential Day 2 draft buzz, Leonard’s season fizzled badly. He missed five games due to injuries, including the Blue Devils’ final four. He completed just 57.6 percent of his passes and only threw three touchdowns in even games while also tossing three interceptions.

Leonard enters the transfer portal with a “Do Not Contact” designation under his name. That’s a good indication he’s already made his decision on where he’ll attempt to resurrect his NFL draft stock for 2025. Early rumors indicate Notre Dame is the front-runner for Leonard.

Social media reacts as Duke quarterback Riley Leonard enters transfer portal

How you feeling, Irish fans?

Did Notre Dame already find their starting quarterback for 2023 before the off-season even officially began?  It would certainly appear that way based off what happened on Wednesday.

At roughly 3:00 p.m. ET, Duke quarterback Riley Leonard announced that he was entering the transfer portal.

By roughly 3:01 p.m. ET, it was seemingly universally assumed that he had already picked his landing spot.

And that spot seems to be Notre Dame.

While nothing is official yet, nor can it be for a number of days, the biggest key that a decision has already been made is that Leonard has marked himself as a “no contact” while in the portal.  That would indicate that he’s not interested in hearing any pitches and that he’s already made a choice.

With all of that in mind, here is how social media reacted to the news of the star quarterback entering the transfer portal on Wednesday.

Auburn named a ‘destination to watch’ for Duke transfer QB Riley Leonard

Leonard is from Fairhope, Alabama and would be quite an addition for Hugh Freeze and Auburn.

Former Duke quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] entered the transfer portal on Wednesday and instantly became one of the top players available.

Leonard entered the season as one of the top quarterbacks in the country and looking to become an early draft pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Injuries prevented that from happening as he missed five games this season and with Mike Elko leaving Duke to take over Texas A&M, he is looking for a new home.

He was immediately linked to Notre Dame, which will have to replace starting quarterback Sam Hartman, who is out of eligibility. But they are not the only school he has been connected to, On3’s Pete Nakos is reporting that Auburn is also “expected to be given a hard look.”

Leonard is from Fairhope, Alabama, and a return home could benefit both parties. He would get a chance to show how he stacks up against SEC competition and would give Auburn some healthy competition at quarterback with returning starter [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] expected to return for a second season on the Plains.

In 27 games at Duke, Leonard completed 61.7% (382-619) of his passes for 4,450 yards and 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. A great runner, he added 1,224 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0PrN3CpEKq/?img_index=1

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Report: Notre Dame football expected to pursue Duke transfer quarterback Riley Leonard

Do you like this potential addition Irish fans?

Shortly after news broke that Duke’s star quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] entered the transfer portal, there are already rumors that Notre Dame will be pursuing him.

Pete Thamel of ESPN has sources that told him the Irish will be targeting Leonard. This wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Notre Dame, as they have recently relied on the portal for a starting quarterback.

Three of the last four started at other schools, and Leonard could make it four. He hurt his ankle towards the end of the game where the Irish won on the road, but he is highly regarded and many believe could be a high pick in the NFL draft when he declares.

It would be a home run transfer for head coach Marcus Freeman, arguably bigger than getting Sam Hartman this past cycle. Leonard battled injures and only threw three touchdowns this season, but last year it was 20 along with almost 3,000 passing yards.

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Wake Forest CB Caelen Carson, Duke QB Riley Leonard to face off on the scouting spot

Carson and Leonard have both struggled some lately, making their Thursday night matchup some must-watch scouting

College football’s Week 10 is already underway thanks to some welcome midweek MACtion, but it really kicks into gear on Thursday night. An ACC battle between Duke and Wake Forest will feature two 2024 NFL draft prospects who are trending in the wrong direction lately.

It’s an important night in Durham for Wake Forest CB Caelen Carson and Duke QB Riley Leonard. Recent games have not been kind to their draft evaluations.

Carson has not had a great college season. He’s been inconsistent in his coverage and his tackling — specifically, his tackling after the catch. For a player generally labeled as a “man coverage only” corner, that’s a bad problem to have. Diving at feet like he did against Georgia Tech QB Haynes King won’t get it done either.

Florida State went after Carson without worry. He gave up two touchdowns in coverage. The inability to locate the ball in the air on one of them was surprising; Carson has shown really nice ball skills in his Demon Deacons career, but the awareness and reading of the receiver cues were poor. The same was true a week earlier against Pittsburgh. The flashes were still evident though, including one very nice PBU against high-flying Keon Coleman.

At Duke, Carson doesn’t face off against dynamic wide receivers. The Blue Devils move the ball around a lot to various targets and extend pass plays well, which means attention to detail and technique are going to be very important for Carson.

Riley Leonard is a savvy quarterback for Duke, but he’s also looking to get back on track after a rough game in the Blue Devils’ shutout loss to Louisville. Leonard has not looked like a pro prospect since returning from the leg injury he suffered against Notre Dame.

One of the appealing qualities for Leonard pre-injury was his ability to handle pressure and still try to challenge down the field. That has not been there in the Florida State and Louisville losses. Both those defenses are good at generating pressure, something Wake Forest doesn’t do so well. EDGE Jasheen Davis is capable of making trouble for Leonard, but this is a game where the Duke QB should have more time to do his thing in the pocket or on controlled avoidance.

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Duke quarterback Riley Leonard to start Louisville game

The Duke quarterback suffered a high ankle sprain against Notre Dame and tweaked the same ankle last week against Florida State.

Duke quarterback Riley Leonard will start for the Blue Devils on Saturday in their ranked matchup against Louisville.

The junior quarterback suffered a high ankle sprain several weeks ago against Notre Dame, and he left the Blue Devils’ game against Florida State last week when it looked like he re-aggravated the same ankle.

Leonard was considered a game-time decision on Saturday, but there were reports of optimism early on Saturday. The official status came after reporters shared videos of Leonard warming up with the team and throwing on the run on the field before the game. His ankle was apparently heavily taped.

Duke quarterback Riley Leonard unlikely to play, considered game-time decision

The Duke quarterback, who suffered a high-ankle sprain against Notre Dame, is considered a game-time decision but considered unlikely.

Duke quarterback Riley Leonard is unlikely to play the Blue Devils’ marquee Saturday matchup against Florida State, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The junior suffered a high ankle sprain against Notre Dame and hasn’t played since.

Thamel said early Saturday morning that Leonard is expected to dress out and go through pre-game warm-ups and drills. While the quarterback has made strides in recovery, with limited participation in practice, the team doesn’t seem to be holding its breath about Leonard being under center.

Leonard’s backup, Henry Belin IV, completed four of his 12 passes for 107 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in relief last week against N.C. State. His 86.1 QBR was the highest in the conference last weekend.