Three of Notre Dame’s past four starting quarterbacks have come from the transfter portal. That has included Sam Hartman replacing both Drew Pyne and Tyler Buchner for the Irish this season.
It has been a solid run for the quarterback as he prepares for his final college football outing in Notre Dame’s upcoming bowl game.
But head coach Marcus Freeman and Co. have already started to look for a replacement. It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that Notre Dame is eyeing yet another experienced transfer.
Duke’s Riley Leonard just entered the portal following head coach Mike Elko’s decision to leave the Blue Devils for Texas A&M.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Notre Dame is targeting Leonard as a replacement for Hartman under center. Others around the college football world believe that it’s almost a foregone conclusion that Leonard will head to South Bend. Though, Texas A&M remains a real option given Elko’s move to College Station.
This is a very interesting situation in that Leonard suffered an ankle injury against Notre Dame back on September 30. Prior to that, the 6-foot-4 signal caller was seen as a darkhorse to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Adding Riley Leonard would be a boon for Notre Dame
Former three-start recruit Steve Angeli has acted as the primary backup to Hartman this season. He’s thrown four touchdowns and one interception on just 25 attempts as a sophomore. A four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, Kenny Minchey has thrown just two passes as a freshman.
Leonard would bring both experience and a high-upside talent to the table for the Irish. He’s your prototypical quarterback that Notre Dame seems to value in offensive coordinator Gerad Parker’s scheme. He also has great arm strength to get the ball down the field and is pro ready when it comes to going through his progressions as well as recognizing coverages. He also has great athleticism.
- Riley Leonard college stats: 62% completion, 4,450 passing yards, 43 total TD, 10 INT
In short, Leonard would be able to start immediately for an Irish team that will have national championship aspirations once again in 2024.
ND finished the regular season with a disappointing 9-3 record, including surprise losses to Louisville and Clemson. It has a whole lot of other areas to address in order to be seen as top-end title contenders. But adding Leonard would be a start.