Riley Leonard, the talented quarterback from Duke, has made the decision to explore new opportunities by entering the transfer portal this Wednesday. Amidst this development, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports a growing buzz around Notre Dame’s interest in recruiting Leonard for the upcoming offseason.
Sources: Expect Notre Dame to target Duke QB Riley Leonard. He just entered the NCAA transfer portal
β Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 29, 2023
Notre Dame’s pursuit of Leonard, however, isn’t without controversy. There are whispers of potential tampering, with some suggesting that the Fighting Irish might have initiated early contact with the Duke quarterback before the season concluded. This speculation was fueled further when public announcements about Notre Dame’s interest led to observations in the comments section about their alleged prior communication with Leonard.
Expect them to target? they targeted him weeks ago letβs not dance around it
β πΉπΈπΌπΌπ πΆππ΄π΄π½π±π΄π°π½π (@soonersonly) November 29, 2023
So, what this means: Notre Dameβs already been in contact with himπ
β NKY Bracket Guy (@BracketNky) November 29, 2023
Interestingly, Leonard’s transfer portal entry comes with a no-contact tag, a stipulation that prevents teams from reaching out to him, although he can initiate contact with them.
Notre Dame’s search for a new quarterback is timely, considering their recent addition of Sam Hartman from Wake Forest. With Hartman’s eligibility expiring, the team is now on the lookout for a lead quarterback for the 2024 season.
Leonard has had an impressive career at Duke over the past three seasons. In 2022, he demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities, amassing 2,967 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions, leading Duke to a commendable 9-4 record. On the ground, he added 699 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, earning an All-ACC honorable mention for his performance.
The 2022 season, however, saw him limited to just seven games due to a toe injury. Despite the setback, Leonard finished with 1,102 passing yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions, and contributed significantly with four rushing touchdowns and 352 rushing yards. His decision to enter the transfer portal opens up new possibilities for his career and has certainly caught the attention of major programs like Notre Dame.