Last weekend, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard demonstrated his abilities to his teammates with an early scramble and ensuing slide that resulted in a first-quarter targeting call on Texas A&M defensive back Dalton Brooks.
Leonard stood up, dusted himself down, and went straight back to work, a routine moment that touched a chord on the Fighting Irish sideline.
“Taking a hit like he did, the targeting penalty, a lot of people would have been shaken up by that,” wide receiver Beaux Collins said. “They would’ve been shaken and thrown off. I believed he was poised throughout the game. I didn’t notice any anxiety or doubt in his eyes.
Nobody else did, which was a major reason why coach Marcus Freeman chased Leonard when he entered the transfer portal.
That choice is already paying off at Notre Dame, which jumped two positions to No. 5 in the AP Top 25 following a 23-13 win against the then-No. 20 Aggies. Leonard completed 18 of 30 passes for 158 yards and rushed 12 times for 63 yards.
On Saturday, he will have the opportunity to do it all over again when the Irish (1-0) meet Mid-American Conference opponent Northern Illinois (1-0). And, after two seasons as a starter at Duke, the veteran doesn’t foresee any nerves when he plays in one of college football’s most revered grounds, Notre Dame Stadium.
“As the game builds up, I become more and more emotionless, because I’m more confident,” Leonard joked. “Nerves come from a lack of preparation. Everyone who comes to Notre Dame has a goal and a legitimate possibility of making it to the NFL. Everyone here is like, ‘Hey, can we see a film? What do you think about this?'”
The 6-foot-4, 216-pound former Alabama high standout understands the legend of Irish football, from Knute Rockne to “Rudy.” And he began a new chapter last season when he sustained a high sprain of his right ankle late in Duke’s 21-14 loss to Notre Dame.
Irish quarterback Sam Hartman, who previously played for Wake Forest, waited outside the injury tent after the game to check on Leonard. Leonard emerged on crutches, and the two briefly conversed.
It’s unclear whether that influenced Leonard’s choice to join the Irish this season. Leonard has stated that he chose Notre Dame due to the camaraderie he found among the teammates. The past few months have simply reaffirmed his first impression.
“We’ll be sitting in the locker room drawing up plays,” Leonard told the crowd. “When you see someone at the facility late at night watching film, it will only motivate you to go later and watch more film than him. That describes the vibe and culture here.”
The unconventional leadership style of the dual-threat quarterback exemplifies this.
“He’s kind of like a chill dude at all times throughout the game,” according to Collins. “I wasn’t sure what to anticipate from him. “He’s definitely the leader we needed.”
Leonard also contributes valuable experience.
He completed 250 of 392 passes for 2,967 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions in his debut season as Duke’s starter, but was sidelined by injury last season. He completed 95 of 165 passes for 1,102 yards and three touchdowns, while running 124 times for 699 yards and 13 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending left toe injury in late October.
However, it is not only his performance on the field that distinguishes him.
His thirst for knowledge has helped him succeed in Notre Dame’s offensive system and lead the squad in front of a rowdy 107,000 spectators at Texas A&M.
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“He picks things up fast,” Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said. “I believe he is a man who wants information. He wants detailed details. He wants specific criticism, whether positive or bad, so he can improve as a player.
But, as gutsy as Leonard’s start was last weekend, his final kick turned heads in South Bend, providing the Irish and their supporters a preview of how promising this season could be with Leonard at quarterback.
“To finish the fourth quarter with an eight-play, 85-yard TD drive that was the difference,” Freeman continued. “That’s when we were able to declare, ‘We got this. “We’ve got this game.”
