Notre Dame has a new quarterback, and he's no stranger to the Week 1 spotlight.
Duke transfer Riley Leonard was on top of the college football world for one night in 2023, when the Blue Devils toppled Clemson and started off their season with a remarkable upset.
Duke started 4-0, but the hope of a dream season in Durham faded in a loss to Notre Dame, which ended with an ankle injury for Leonard and a narrow defeat for the Blue Devils.
Leonard would play only two more games before another injury ended his season, and he got a fresh start in the offseason when he entered the transfer portal and committed to Notre Dame. Now, he's set to face off with a familiar face when the Fighting Irish open their season against Texas A&M.
Here's a look at why Leonard transferred to Notre Dame and what he brings to South Bend.
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Why did Riley Leonard transfer to Notre Dame?
Leonard entered the transfer portal after Duke coach Mike Elko left to become the head coach at Texas A&M. While Leonard established himself as a national name at Duke, the program still doesn't match up with a brand like Notre Dame. Joining the Fighting Irish gives him a chance to play under the spotlight in a talented offense, which could help elevate his draft stock.
Notre Dame had a quarterback opening after Sam Hartman ran out of eligibility. The Fighting Irish landed Hartman through the portal as well, though they didn't achieve their ultimate goal of reaching the College Football Playoff with the former Wake Forest signal-caller.
When asked over the summer why he chose Notre Dame, Leonard said the players in the locker room were the biggest factor. Leonard explained that he went to dinner with some of his future teammates and realized, "You want to be around guys that just have your back, and are great people, on and off the field, and Notre Dame's got it."
Leonard also hinted that his NFL future was a factor, citing the arrival of former LSU assistant Mike Denbrock and his work with Jayden Daniels.
Between the prestige of Notre Dame and the possibility of boosting his draft stock, the decision didn't appear to be one with which Leonard struggled.
It's worth noting Texas A&M wasn't a likely destination for Leonard despite Elko landing in College Station because the Aggies already had a promising quarterback in redshirt sophomore Conner Weigman. Now, the two will face off in Week 1.
Riley Leonard stats
| Season | School | Completion pct. | Yards | TD | INT | Rush yards | Rush TD |
| 2021 | Duke | 59.7% | 381 | 1 | 1 | 173 | 2 |
| 2022 | Duke | 63.8% | 2,967 | 20 | 6 | 699 | 13 |
| 2023 | Duke | 57.6% | 1,102 | 3 | 3 | 352 | 4 |
| Career | 61.7% | 4,450 | 24 | 10 | 1,224 | 19 |
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Riley Leonard NFL Draft projection
Leonard ranks 103rd (No. 9 among QBs) in NFL Mock Draft Database's consensus rankings, which take dozens of big boards into account. That would put him as a mid-round draft prospect at the moment.
Leonard was thought to be a potential NFL Draft pick after his hot start at Duke last season, and while a healthy finish to the year might have put him on a path to declaring after 2023, it's clear to see why he could intrigue NFL scouts.
The Alabama native has prototypical NFL size, solid arm strength and impressive mobility as well. He's also proven it at the collegiate level, as he threw for 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions in Elko's first season at Duke before 2023 was derailed by injuries.
It's not far-fetched to say a healthy, productive year for Leonard at Notre Dame would be enough to send his stock rising ahead of the NFL Combine. Even then, the debate about his viability as a franchise quarterback would rage on.
