Ex-Duke QB Riley Leonard Commits to Notre Dame From Transfer Portal
Former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard announced Tuesday on social media that he intends to transfer to Notre Dame.
Leonard’s departure to South Bend marks the second signal-caller that Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman has landed in the transfer portal, following Sam Hartman this season. The 6’4” Leonard, who entered the transfer portal on Nov. 29, posted a video donning a white Notre Dame shirt, a blue and green Fighting Irish jacket and ultimately a green Notre Dame jersey.
“A dream come true. Go Irish,” Leonard wrote in the post.
Leonard played three seasons at Duke, including two under coach Mike Elko, who recently became head coach at Texas A&M. Leonard was limited to seven games in the ’23 campaign due to injuries and threw for 1,102 yards with three touchdown passes and three interceptions while also rushing for 352 yards and four touchdowns.
Leonard’s best season came in 2022, when he threw for 2,967 yards with 20 touchdown passes and six interceptions while leading Duke to a 9–4 mark. He also registered 699 yards and 13 scores on the ground.
In committing to Notre Dame, Leonard is poised to become the fifth primary starting signal-caller for Notre Dame in five seasons.
