Notre Dame adds Duke QB Leonard through the transfer portal

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame has added their projected starting quarterback through the transfer portal for the third time in four seasons. 

They targeted a former Demon Deacon in the portal last year and they are going to the well again to find their next passer, this time of the Blue Devil variety. Junior quarterback Riley Leonard is joining the Irish after spending the previous three seasons with Duke. 

Leonard is following in the footsteps of Hartman, who joined the Irish from Wake Forest last year, and Jack Coan, who pulled a similar move from Wisconsin in 2021. 

The 21-year-old is one of college football's most effective dual-threats. He led the Blue Devils in rushing last season with 699 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. He also put up nearly 3000 yards through the air and finished the year with 20 passing touchdowns to only six interceptions. 

Leonard's legs were on full display in their matchup with Notre Dame this season, as he ran for 88 yards in the 21-14 loss. He suffered an ankle injury late in the contest and was held out for the team's next game against NC State before returning for their matchup with Florida State.

Leonard struggled mightily against the Seminoles and reaggravated the ankle injury, which ended his season, the following week against Louisville. His signature running ability was completely nullified, as he ran for only 13 yards off ten carries against the Cardinals.

Leonard struggled mightily against the Seminoles and reaggravated the ankle injury, which ended his season, the following week against Louisville. His signature running ability was completely nullified by the injury, as he ran for only 13 yards off ten carries against the Cardinals. He ended the year with just over 1100 yards through the air, an additional 352 yards on the ground (with four rushing scores), and three touchdowns to go along with three interceptions. 

While his final season with the Blue Devils might not have gone as planned, there is no denying that Leonard has a skill set that should allow him to thrive at the collegiate level. In fact, he was even getting some buzz as one of the top quarterbacks in the '24 draft class before the season began. 

The talented signal-caller will look to bounce back and boost his draft stock in the final year of eligibility. If he can regain some of the shine he showed with Duke in 2022, there is no telling how far he can take the Irish.

Notre Dame has also added a pair of receivers through the transfer portal, Kris Mitchell, from Florida International, and Beaux Collins, from Clemson. Both pass-catchers possess a significant amount of talent in their own right, and the trio will hopefully help Notre Dame's passing attack take flight next season.