Former Irish DL Sees Notre Dame Getting Playmaker In Riley Leonard

Former Notre Dame defensive tackle Ja'Mion Franklin talks about everything Riley Leonard brings to the Irish

Over the last three years, former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard has developed into one of the best dual threat signal callers in all of college football. Leonard dealt with various injuries as a junior but really showcased his overall talent in 2022, throwing for 2,967 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was also an efficient passer, completing nearly 64 percent of his passes and only throwing six interceptions.

Leonard was also a big threat with his legs that season. He led the Blue Devils with 699 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging a healthy 5.6 yards per carry.

On Tuesday, Leonard committed to the University of Notre Dame as a transfer despite a long list of interested suitors. During his time with Duke, former Notre Dame defensive tackle Ja’Mion Franklin (2018-2020) has gotten the chance to know Leonard really well since he came in, and offers a unique perspective for how Leonard fits with the Irish.

"I think it’s a great fit. It couldn’t be a better fit overall for just the kind of person Riley is,” Franklin told Irish Breakdown. "He is the kind of guy you love being around. Overall, he’s a solid locker room personality.”

As a player, Leonard can be an absolute headache for opposing defenses. That’s something that Franklin can attest to. His dual threat ability is a difficult task to stop.

"He’s sneaky athletic and he finds ways to improvise and make plays with his legs whenever things break down,” Franklin said. "It’s a really unique challenge for a defense.”

Of course, when you are talking about quarterbacks, it is not all just about what the film says. So many other factors go into understanding just how good a quarterback is. From a leadership perspective, and personally, Leonard also has received rave reviews. He is the type of player who has earned respect from everyone around him.

"I think the way that he’s been able to handle pressure, be a playmaker and command the respect and attention of his fellow teammates is how he’s grown the most,” he said. "He’s a great leader, and a great person.

"He’s a lead by example guy but when he needs to speak up he will,” Franklin continued. "Riley is also a very selfless guy. He will take responsibility and never throw guys under the bus.”

From the minute the transfer portal opened up, there was little question who Notre Dame’s top target was at quarterback. Leonard was the player they wanted and they made it happen. Only time will tell how it all turns out but the talent the former Duke star is bringing is unquestionable. 

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