Notre Dame Fighting Irish and former Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard nearly finished his collegiate career with a storybook finish, guiding the Irish to the national championship game in 2025 and putting forth a valiant effort before falling.
Now, as he heads to the next level, will his gritty, rugged style of play translate to the NFL? Or will his lack of elite, refined skills prove too much to overcome?
Scouting Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard
Size: 6’4″, 216 po6’4 ”
Key Stat: He was responsible for 38 total touchdowns in his lone season with the Irish, the second most in Notre Dame history.
Projected Role: Journeyman backup QB
Strengths
- Intangibles are elite: tremendous leaders, hard workers, extremely likable
- He is a tough player, fights through injuries, and isn’t afraid to put his head down and run through more prominent defenders
- He has top-tier athleticism once he’s able to shape the pocket
- Don’t put Doesn’tl in harm’s way. harm’shrew 18 interceptions across four seasons.
- Solid passer underneath and has shown the ability to connect on in-breaking routes.
Areas of Concern: He struggles
- To go through all of his reads, tends to give up, and uses his legs instead of letting the concept fully develop.
- He has it in him to make high-level throws, but they are few and far between. Lacks consistency needed at the NFL level.
- Sloppy mechanics under pressure
- Limited arm strength
Riley Leonard NFL Draft Outlook
Leonard recently entered the draft after one of the best postseason runs. His toughness and determination were displayed throughout the College Football Playoff run, but no more than in the championship game.
On the game’s first possession, Leonard engineered an 18-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in which he carried the ball nine times for 34 yards and bullied his way in for a one-yard rushing score. Immediately after reaching the sideline, the Irish QB threw up due to being “so gassed.”
The lore d”doesn’t end, however, as Leonard came close to pulling off a comeback after being down 31-7 late in the third quarter. In the end, Leonard passed for a season-high 255 yards and two touchdowns while showcasing his toughness to the nation.
It’s seen as unlikely that he’d be able to hold a starting job for a franchise due to his inconsistencies in throwing the ball. However, he could be a valuable tool in obvious running situations for a team with a non-dual threat QB.
Considering the magical run he took Notre Dame on, he may be able to be a spot-starter who brings an immediate spark to the team because of his intangibles — a la guys like Gardner Minshew or Ryan Fitzpatrick, who always seemed to lift everyone around them for a couple of weeks of the season.
Bottom Line: Leonard’s lack of refined skills and ability to consistently hold a starting quarterback job in the NFL make it unlikely that he’ll be able to do so.
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However, he has zero off-the-field issues and no drama surrounding him. He would be a positive addition to an NFL locker room with the ability to contribute in a short-yardage or spot-starter role.
Draft Projection: Round 5-7
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