Tag: Riley Leonard

Notre Dame has ‘no plans’ for transfer portal quarterback in 2025

Does this make you happy?

Amidst all the hoopla surrounding National Signing Day, one question remained for Notre Dame. Would it go to transfer portal for a quarterback again in 2025 given how it has done so in three of the past four years?

It was a fair question given that [autotag]Jack Coan[/autotag], [autotag]Sam Hartman[/autotag] and [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] all have been handed the keys to the Irish’s offense fresh off playing at other universities. But [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] assured at his National Signing Day news conference that that wouldn’t be the case.

When asked whether the Irish have enough quarterbacks in the wings already, Freeman assured that they did, adding, “We have no plans on going to the transfer portal for a quarterback.”

That will be a big relief to a quarterbacks room that already features [autotag]Steve Angeli[/autotag], [autotag]Kenny Minchey[/autotag], [autotag]CJ Carr[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Rezac[/autotag]. And don’t forget about Blake Hebert, one of the many signees for the Irish earlier in the day.

Here’s Freeman’s entire news conference in which he gives this assurance:

Finally in 2025, we’ll get to see how good Freeman and his staff are at recruiting quarterbacks instead of obtaining them from elsewhere.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

Notre Dame defensive back is Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week

It’s pretty clear which play made him stand out.

As of this writing, Notre Dame defensive back [autotag]Xavier Watts[/autotag] is not on the list of accepted invites to the Reese’s Senior Bowl. [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] is there, but there at least is hope now that Watts will join him in that game.

The Senior Bowl has named Watts its Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Irish’s win over USC. He culminated a terrific regular season for him by recording nine tackles, breaking up one pass, registering one quarterback hit and picking off a pass that returned for a program record-tying 100 yards to score.

Watts leads the Irish with nine passes defended and five interceptions this season. The pick against the Trojans put him in the lead for interception return yards with 136.

Watts became the sixth Irish defensive player to score a touchdown this season and the fifth to do so via interception. The fourth player was [autotag]Christian Gray[/autotag], who did it on the possession before Watts’ score:

The Irish will need Watts if they want to make a run during the College Football Playoff. It seems like only a matter of time before he makes a big play during that, too.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

Notre Dame Week 14 highlight: Riley Leonard finds Mitchell Evans for key TD

Notre Dame got a key TD catch from Mitchell Evans.

Notre Dame and USC are engaged in a shootout in Los Angeles, but the No. 5 Fighting Irish have given themselves a little bit of separation after quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] found tight end [autotag]Mitchell Evans[/autotag] for a 23-yard touchdown reception.

The score, and the preceding drive, followed a stand by the Irish defense after Leonard tossed an ill-advised interception. USC had a shot to tie the game, but failed to convert on fourth down.

Notre Dame responded with a 3-play, 62-yard drive that burned 1:06 off the clock and ended in the Leonard-to-Mitchell connection.

The pass followed a 35-yard run by [autotag]Jadarian Price[/autotag].

Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) jumps up to make a catch that would later be ruled incomplete during a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Notre Dame Week 14 highlight: Riley Leonard’s legs carry Irish into end zone at USC

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard has another rushing touchdown.

Notre Dame quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] is as much of a running threat as the running backs he shares a backfield with.

Leonard gave the lead back to the No. 5 Fighting Irish as they take on the USC Trojans on the road.

He did it with a 2-yard touchdown run that ended a 6-play, 75-yard drive that took 2:39 off the clock. He also had a 24-yard scamper on the drive.

Notre Dame is in a back-and-forth battle with USC in Los Angeles.

Nov 23, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quaterback Riley Leonard (13) throws a pass against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Notre Dame Week 14 highlight: Riley Leonard hits Eli Raridon following another Jeremiyah Love leap

Notre Dame scores after another Love leap.

Notre Dame’s final drive of the first half against USC was a bit of nail-biter.

The No. 5 Fighting Irish had to convert a fourth-and-one — just barely — before quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] found [autotag]Eli Raridon[/autotag] for a 12-yard touchdown reception. It was Leonard who just barely got the first down on a quarterback run.

The pass followed another long run by RB [autotag]Jeremiyah Love[/autotag] — one that included yet another hurdle of a defender. That one was good for 20 yards.

Love’s leap will make more than a few highlight films, but Leonard’s pass to Riordan was what put points on the board.

Nov 23, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) leaps over Army Black Knights cornerback Donavon Platt (28) for a touchdown during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Notre Dame Week 14 highlight: Jeremiyah Love opens up the scoring at USC, extends touchdown streak

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has a record-breaking TD against USC.

No. 5 Notre Dame is playing rival USC in Southern California with a playoff berth — and maybe a first-round playoff game at home — on the line.

The Fighting Irish took over after stopping a promising Trojans’ drive and put together an efficient march of their own — one that ended with running back [autotag]Jeremiyah Love[/autotag] fighting for extra yards and a touchdown.

Love had several big, punishing runs on the drive, and quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] was also effective with his legs and some quick, easy passes.

Love’s 1-yard touchdown run, which capped off a 13-play, 72-yard drive that chewed 7:13 off the clock, was a record-setter. He now has had a rushing touchdown in 12 straight games — which is a Notre Dame record.

Wayne Bullock held the previous mark, with 11.

Nov 23, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard accepts invite to prestigious postseason game

Leonard’s college career won’t end with the Irish

When Notre Dame football quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] takes his final snap for the Irish later this season, it will not be his last as a collegiate player.

The senior accepted an invitation to the [autotag]Reese’s Senior Bowl[/autotag] on Thursday, giving him an opportunity to to impress NFL teams in attendance for the whole week of practice leading up to the game.

We saw a similar instance last season. Sam Hartman was also invited to the game. While he went undrafted, he signed a contract with the Washington Commanders. Leonard might not end up taking that same path. It appears he should get drafted by team.

The invite will be a great opportunity for Leonard to improve his draft stock in Mobile, Alabama, and show teams he can handle the intricacies of an NFL offense.

Nov. 9, 2024; South Bend, Indiana; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) leaves the field following a 52-3 victory over the Florida State Seminoles at Notre Dame Stadium. Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen

Notre Dame statistical leaders through 11 games

Who leads the Irish heading into the final regular-season contest?

Notre Dame has its fate in its own hands for the College Football Playoff. All it needs to do is defeat USC, and a first-round game at Notre Dame Stadium appears to be a certainty. Who would have thought the Irish would be in such a good position after the loss to Northern Illinois threatened to derail their season early?

The Irish can’t afford to get complacent though. The Trojans have not had a great season, but dealing the Irish a loss that could threaten their playoff chances would make up for everything that has gone wrong for them. That’s why the Irish will need to prepare for them like they would for any ranked team, and the talent they have should allow them to emerge victorious.

Here are the major statistical leaders the Irish are taking into their regular-season finale. Not all of them will be available, but they’re fun to see nonetheless:

Notre Dame Week 13 highlight — Jadarian Price has a double at Yankee Stadium

Jadarian Price is on the board for the second time.

Notre Dame running back [autotag]Jeremiyah Love[/autotag] has some competition from his backfield mate [autotag]Jadarian Price[/autotag]. While Love has three touchdowns for the No. Fighting Irish against the No. 18 Army Black Knights, Price has two.

His second was a 10-yard run that appeared to be stuffed initially before Price worked his way loose and bounced it outside. The score finished off an 8-play, 57-yard drive that took 3:33 off the clock and ended with 45 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Backup quarterback [autotag]Steve Angeli[/autotag] helmed the drive with starter [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] resting since the game is well in hand for the Irish.

Notre Dame’s dominates Florida State, extending its winning streak
Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price (24) scores a touchdown during a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

Notre Dame vs. Army: Third-Quarter Analysis

All academic from here.

Notre Dame has gone up big against another opponent with little if any chance for a comeback. This time, the victim is Army, which finds itself trailing the Irish, 42-7, after three quarters.

The Irish immediately set the tone for the quarter when [autotag]Jeremiyah Love[/autotag] ran for a 68-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. That likely broke any real hope the Knights had of keeping their perfect season alive.

On their first two possessions of the quarter, the Knights picked up a first down only to turn the ball over on downs right after. Only once did they run a pass play, which is typical for a service academy program.

After that second turnover on downs, [autotag]Steve Angeli[/autotag] replaced [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] at quarterback and conducted a pass-heavy drive. But it was a 10-yard touchdown run by [autotag]Jadarian Price[/autotag], his second score of the game, that ended Angeli’s first drive.

It wasn’t all good news for the Irish though. [autotag]Mitch Jeter[/autotag] now has been unsuccessful on two field-goal attempts after a 30-yard kick was blocked. That issue might be magnified later on, but for now, the Irish can enjoy playing these final 15 minutes.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89