Riley Leonard’s journey in college football has been unique, making it difficult to find another quarterback quite like him in Notre Dame’s history. If he had remained with the Irish for his entire collegiate career, his legacy could have reached even greater heights. However, since he has chosen to take the next step in his career and enter the professional ranks, it is the perfect time to reflect on his time in college.
Leonard has demonstrated immense talent, impressive statistics, and a charismatic presence that could make a strong impression on NFL scouts. However, his history of injuries could be a concern for teams considering drafting him. At the same time, his ability to persevere through setbacks and injuries may serve as a testament to his resilience, potentially making a compelling case in his favor.
After transferring from Duke, Leonard used his final year of eligibility to join Notre Dame. He was immediately given the responsibility of leading the Irish offense as the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. Over the course of his time as a starter, he compiled a 14-2 record and led Notre Dame to the National Championship Game. His dual-threat ability was on full display, as he rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in addition to his passing production.
One of his standout performances came late in the season against Penn State when he orchestrated two key touchdown drives, covering 75 and 72 yards in the third quarter. These efforts helped push Notre Dame to a historic championship appearance. Although the team ultimately fell short of winning the title, Leonard remained the defining figure of the season.
However, his path to success was not without obstacles. Leonard’s momentum at Notre Dame was initially derailed by a lingering ankle injury, which had been an issue since his time at Duke. The severity of his injury struggles became clear in an interview on the Whoop podcast, where he detailed his ordeal. He suffered a high ankle sprain and returned to play three games before aggravating the injury further. His condition worsened against Louisville, where he developed turf toe, adding to his troubles.
To address these injuries, Leonard underwent multiple procedures. In mid-January, he had a TightRope procedure performed on his right ankle. Then, in March, he underwent another surgery to repair a stress fracture, which could have worsened without immediate intervention.
Providing further insight into his struggles, Leonard explained how turf toe affected him. He described it as a condition in which the toe gets stuck in the turf, causing hyperextension due to the lack of natural movement compared to playing on grass. He underwent surgery for the issue in November, leading to a four-month recovery period. Throughout this time, he navigated the college transfer process while still using crutches.
Leonard recalled the frustrations of his rehabilitation process, particularly how it delayed his involvement with Notre Dame’s program. Despite repeated requests from the coaching staff, he initially refrained from visiting the team while still on crutches. Once he arrived, things did not go smoothly, as he suffered another setback when his right ankle was injured during practice by teammate Howard Cross.
His absence from winter workouts and spring practices had a significant impact on his confidence as he prepared for the next stage of his career. However, two key factors helped him stay grounded through these adversities.
Faith played a crucial role in his resilience. Leonard consistently credited his belief in God as his primary source of strength during challenging times. He expressed his trust in divine plans, emphasizing that he did not question his circumstances because he believed a greater purpose was at work. He described his mindset by saying, “I always told myself if I knew what the Lord knew, I wouldn’t ask any questions. So, who am I to sit around and ask why I’m in the situation that I’m in? He’s probably just up there chuckling, thinking, ‘You’re so shallow-minded, Riley. Don’t you see what I see? The plan I have for your life is so beautiful.’”
The second factor was his perspective on his journey. Rather than dwelling on setbacks, he maintained a positive outlook, recognizing the privilege of playing quarterback at Notre Dame. He refused to feel sorry for himself despite his injuries, focusing instead on the opportunity he had in front of him. “I’m a big perspective guy,” Leonard said. “No matter what I’m doing, I always have perspective. I transferred as a college quarterback to go play quarterback at Notre Dame. That is like the coolest thing ever, and I’m gonna sit around and mope because my ankle twisted up a little bit?”
Despite the hardships, Leonard’s first year in South Bend turned out to be a remarkable one. He finished the season with 2,861 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, boasting an elite 66.7% completion percentage. He also rushed for a career-high 751 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.
While injuries have been a defining challenge in his career, his faith and perseverance have kept him moving forward. As he now prepares to transition to the professional level, his ability to overcome adversity could be the key to proving himself to NFL teams. Whether he will achieve success in the league remains to be seen, but his determination and perspective suggest he will not back down from the challenge.