The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will need a new quarterback next season to replace the graduating Sam Hartman, and they may have found that player already.
Much like Hartman, the new quarterback may also be a transfer from the ACC.
The Athletic‘s Pete Thamel reported Monday that Duke quarterback Riley Leonard would be taking an official visit to Notre Dame on December 6th and 7th.
Leonard entered the transfer portal last week but reportedly had a “do not contact” tag leading many to believe that Notre Dame would be his destination. This news is certainly another step in that direction.
Leonard spent three seasons at Duke and was primarily a backup in 2021.
The 2022 season saw a breakout for Leonard, though. He went 250-for-392 for 20 touchdowns, tying him for the fourth-most in one season by a Duke quarterback. Leonard’s strong season was capped off by being named the MVP of the 2022 Military Bowl when he rushed for a pair of touchdowns en route to a 30-13 Blue Devils win. He played in just six games in 2023 after suffering an ankle injury and later suffering a toe injury.
Leonard’s best game of 2023 came in Duke’s 38-14 win over the Northwestern Wildcats on September 16. He went 15-for-20 for 219 yards and added 97 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
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