‘21 AL QB Riley Leonard (Duke Transfer - Notre Dame Verbal)

[Lberry]

FWIW, that’s 222 yards and 1.3 TD’s/game.

If he has 222 passing yards/game and only 1 TD/game, next season, we’re in trouble.

I'm doing quick math, but he also had 200 carries for over 1,000 rushing yards over those 18 games (2022 + 2023 combine).

Is Riley Leonard a #1 portal guy if you measure him as just a passer? No, he's way more than that.

 

[Luckylucci]

Does that include his rushing touchdowns?

No, 17 rushing TD’s and about 57 yards/game Over that 18 games.

 

[Kingbish01]

I think when it's all said and done RL will be looked back as the #1 QB in the portal this year.

 

[Lberry]

I just want to know what Parker knows about running RPO. Feel like the biggest thing not talked about here is the 2024 offense, which is either:

A) No change, pro style. Which would be completely dumb both for our staff and for RL to come here
B) RPO offense, which fits RL perfectly but does it fit Parker? Does it have to fit since he's so bad at pro style? Is this better by default or will it always suck because it's Parker?

Going to look way different one way or another.

 

[Mavericknyc1980]

Great job by the staff to lock this kid up

 

[NDFAN2008]

I just want to know what Parker knows about running RPO. Feel like the biggest thing not talked about here is the 2024 offense, which is either:

A) No change, pro style. Which would be completely dumb both for our staff and for RL to come here
B) RPO offense, which fits RL perfectly but does it fit Parker? Does it have to fit since he's so bad at pro style? Is this better by default or will it always suck because it's Parker?

Going to look way different one way or another.

I think you need to get the RB's more involved in the passing game get love and price out in space

 

[Luckylucci]

He can be #1 portal QB and huge get for ND while also be overrated as Superman by adding up 18 games of stats.

That is 41 total TD’s over 18 games.

Elite(ish) QB’s

Daniels: 50 (12 games)
Box Nix: 46 (13)
Penix: 36 (13)
Milroe: 35 (12)
McCarthy: 22 (13)
Travis: 27 (10)

The only one of that group that has less TD’s/game than Leonard is McCarthy who is also overrated at this point due to being a successful system QB on a good team.

Leonard is a good college QB. Could he be elite? Yes, he absolutely could. But he’s not right now. Plus, I wouldn’t want to be the coach that plans to run Leonard 100-200 times next year and expects him to be healthy for the entire season.

 

[NDpendent]

I just want to know what Parker knows about running RPO. Feel like the biggest thing not talked about here is the 2024 offense, which is either:

A) No change, pro style. Which would be completely dumb both for our staff and for RL to come here
B) RPO offense, which fits RL perfectly but does it fit Parker? Does it have to fit since he's so bad at pro style? Is this better by default or will it always suck because it's Parker?

Going to look way different one way or another.

It's been mentioned heavily that Parker wants to run RPO offense and one of the reasons Duece Knight was there primary target. Which makes sense why they zeroed in on a RL

 

[NDMatt91]

It's been mentioned heavily that Parker wants to run RPO offense and one of the reasons Duece Knight was there primary target. Which makes sense why they zeroed in on a RL

Can't remember if it was II or ISD, but they said that Parker wouldn't have gone after Deuce Knight if the plan was to run the 2023 offense. I hope they're right.

 

[HouseofPain]

Showing your ignorance again. You must not have watched what Alabama started with in September, and when Milroe got benched. In case you missed it, Rees is coaching in the playoff once again now.

Yeah right along with a record number of 5 stars. Bama succeeded in spite of Rees, not because of him because of the awesome amount of accumulated talent at that school.

 

[Lberry]

He can be #1 portal QB and huge get for ND while also be overrated as Superman by adding up 18 games of stats.

That is 41 total TD’s over 18 games.

Elite(ish) QB’s

Daniels: 50 (12 games)
Box Nix: 46 (13)
Penix: 36 (13)
Milroe: 35 (12)
McCarthy: 22 (13)
Travis: 27 (10)

The only one of that group that has less TD’s/game than Leonard is McCarthy who is also overrated at this point due to being a successful system QB on a good team.

Leonard is a good college QB. Could he be elite? Yes, he absolutely could. But he’s not right now. Plus, I wouldn’t want to be the coach that plans to run Leonard 100-200 times next year and expects him to be healthy for the entire season.

You're giving Porker too much credit. He doesn't have a plan.

 

[thekid33]

You're giving Porker too much credit. He doesn't have a plan.

Somebody better have a plan.

The schedule is manageable and it'd be nice to say that we were in the first expanded playoff when it comes to recruiting HS and portal kids in the future.

 

[jprue24]

It's been mentioned heavily that Parker wants to run RPO offense and one of the reasons Duece Knight was there primary target. Which makes sense why they zeroed in on a RL

Carr needs to transform his body, gain some speed, or transfer if this is the plan

 

[Luckylucci]

You're giving Porker too much credit. He doesn't have a plan.

And, this is part of my concern. If I felt like we had a good offensive coaching staff to get the absolute best out of this giant athlete at QB. Or, more time with him. I’d be all in. I think Riley needs a decent amount of development both as a QB but also within an offense tailored to him. In one off-season with this coaching staff. I have concerns we get that and relive this whole vicious cycle of hype and let down.

 

[IrishTusker]

Showing your ignorance again. You must not have watched what Alabama started with in September, and when Milroe got benched. In case you missed it, Rees is coaching in the playoff once again now.

Yes, but he developed a QB who he didn't recruit. The guy he recruited was benched. And in any case, Rees under the control of a coach like Saban is different than Rees under Kelly or Freeman.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

And, this is part of my concern. If I felt like we had a good offensive coaching staff to get the absolute best out of this giant athlete at QB. Or, more time with him. I’d be all in. I think Riley needs a decent amount of development both as a QB but also within an offense tailored to him. In one off-season with this coaching staff. I have concerns we get that and relive this whole vicious cycle of hype and let down.

People were scratching their heads that ND seemed to value Leonard so highly. I think ND wanted him specifically because he does fit the offense they wish to run (and Angeli, for all his virtues, does not).

I thought people were going to be disappointed in Hartman and I said so at the time. The plan was to move him into a completely different offensive system while hoping he finds a way to reduce his interception rate.

I don't think Leonard is going to face quite the same hurdles of adjusting to a radically different offensive system. Neither do I think he's going to get invited to the Heisman ceremony. I do think he will be much better at the primary reason ND's offense underperformed its advanced stats. The 2024 team will be much better on third downs.

 

[Crazy Balki]

He can be #1 portal QB and huge get for ND while also be overrated as Superman by adding up 18 games of stats.

That is 41 total TD’s over 18 games.

Elite(ish) QB’s

Daniels: 50 (12 games)
Box Nix: 46 (13)
Penix: 36 (13)
Milroe: 35 (12)
McCarthy: 22 (13)
Travis: 27 (10)

The only one of that group that has less TD’s/game than Leonard is McCarthy who is also overrated at this point due to being a successful system QB on a good team.

Leonard is a good college QB. Could he be elite? Yes, he absolutely could. But he’s not right now. Plus, I wouldn’t want to be the coach that plans to run Leonard 100-200 times next year and expects him to be healthy for the entire season.

Key difference is that those guys had WAY more talent to throw to than Leonard.

Daniels was throwing to Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas.
Penix had Rome Odunze and Jalen Polk.
Nix had Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson.
Milroe had Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond.
Travis had Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson.

Nobody that Duke had at receiver comes even close to that. His best receiving weapon was Jalon Calhoun, who would be running #3 at best on any of those teams.

 

[NewBrunswickIrish]

Key difference is that those guys had WAY more talent to throw to than Leonard.

Daniels was throwing to Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas.
Penix had Rome Odunze and Jalen Polk.
Nix had Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson.
Milroe had Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond.
Travis had Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson.

Nobody that Duke had at receiver comes even close to that. His best receiving weapon was Jalon Calhoun, who would be running #3 at best on any of those teams.

I agree, not sure why we’re comparing his Duke stats with the stats of the QBs that transferred to teams currently in the College Football Playoff or other highly ranked teams. It’s a more fair comparison to see their stats prior to their transfer.

For example, Penix only exploded once he got to Washington (22 tds in his last two years - 11 games - at Indiana) and Daniels improved his stats significantly with LSU (25 touchdowns his last two years at ASU - 17 games).

I don’t think Leonard is going to be the best QB in the NCAA, but I don’t think it would be surprising to see a big improvement in production.

 

[irishandy]

FWIW, that’s 222 yards and 1.3 TD’s/game.

If he has 222 passing yards/game and only 1 TD/game, next season, we’re in trouble.

Those numbers are not impressive at all.

I was excited about Hartman, Leonard doesn't excite me as much. He'll have to show it.

I'll trust the staff on this one.

 

[stlnd01]

Those numbers are not impressive at all.

I was excited about Hartman, Leonard doesn't excite me as much. He'll have to show it.

I'll trust the staff on this one.

Hartman had a higher floor but a lower ceiling. Tons of experience and all that that brings (which is a lot), but he never had the physical tools to be a Day 1 NFL pick and Day 2 was gonna be a stretch.
Leonard is more raw - even though he has almost two years under his belt as a P5 starting QB - and maybe more likely to make mistakes than Hartman was. But also he has Day 1 potential and legs that should open up a lot for our running game.
I'm not sure which of them I would "prefer," but like Hartman last year, Leonard was one of best potential QBs (for us) in the portal this year. So I'm glad we got him.

 

[Giddyup]

You suck

 

[DillonHall]

Duke hasn’t had a single offensive player drafted in the NFL since Leonard has been there. Not sure who might get drafted next spring, but he hasn’t exactly been surrounded by talent

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Unless you have a super team, your quarterback needs to be able to move the chains with his legs when nothing is open or the line is having a bad day,

We need a mobile quarterback with this young o-line next year.

 

[SDIrishFan]

Unless you have a super team, your quarterback needs to be able to move the chains with his legs when nothing is open or the line is having a bad day,

We need a mobile quarterback with this young o-line next year.

Exactly, if RL can account for 3-5 extra first downs per game with his legs, the result is more points for the good guys and less for the bad guys.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Exactly, if RL can account for 3-5 extra first downs per game with his legs, the result is more points for the good guys and less for the bad guys.

The skill players should be through the roof next year with the transfer receivers added to a couple exciting sophomores, TE U, and stable of elite backs.

Teams being forced to account for the quarterback's legs are going to apply so much pressure.
Practically an indefensible offense.
The pipes will burst...

 

[jprue24]

Also, it’s time to dead the “You Suck” mantra. I don’t look forward to Collingsworth rehashing that story.

Would it be possible to get a concerted effort, from all the major ND message board communities, to get a message to NBC to please not do that fucking story?

 

[Grahambo]

If the offense falters next season, it won’t be because of RL’s legs. Your potential 1st RD talented QB will be the least of your problems.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

If the offense falters next season, it won’t be because of RL’s legs. Your potential 1st RD talented QB will be the least of your problems.

There’s too much talent on the offense. The line may be green, but the skill positions are deep and Leonard really does have elite physical abilities. Barring significant injuries, they have enormous potential.

If they don’t reach or exceed their potential, then it’s on the coaches.

 

[NDohio]

I am looking forward to what Gino can do with RL. He did a great job with Ridder at UC.

 

[Irishokie]

He can be #1 portal QB and huge get for ND while also be overrated as Superman by adding up 18 games of stats.

That is 41 total TD’s over 18 games.

Elite(ish) QB’s

Daniels: 50 (12 games)
Box Nix: 46 (13)
Penix: 36 (13)
Milroe: 35 (12)
McCarthy: 22 (13)
Travis: 27 (10)

The only one of that group that has less TD’s/game than Leonard is McCarthy who is also overrated at this point due to being a successful system QB on a good team.

Leonard is a good college QB. Could he be elite? Yes, he absolutely could. But he’s not right now. Plus, I wouldn’t want to be the coach that plans to run Leonard 100-200 times next year and expects him to be healthy for the entire season.

Most of that list seemed to be Heisman candidates this season. Not a bad group to be a part of