Riley Leonard QB Notre Dame | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Riley Leonard QB Notre Dame
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
PLAY STYLE: Dual Threat QB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.52 seconds (96%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 22.0 DOB: 09/13/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PLAY STYLE: Dual Threat QB | |
Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.52 seconds (96%*) | |
Age: 22.0 DOB: 09/13/2002 | |
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Overall Rating: | 83.3 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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76% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Release Speed: |
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85% |
Short Passing: |
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67% |
Medium Passing: |
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61% |
Long Passing: |
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63% |
Rush/Scramble: |
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80% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#103
Position rank:
#16
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College Games: 30 College Snaps: 1654 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Dorian Thompson-Robinson - UCLA |
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69% |
Desmond Ridder - Cincinnati |
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64% |
Will Levis - Kentucky |
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59% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Riley Leonard, a prominent quarterback from Fairhope High School, was initially pegged as a 3-star recruit by both ESPN and 247 Sports. Moving on to Duke University, Leonard swiftly marked his presence. In his freshman year, he played in 6 games, throwing for 377 yards and rushing for 224 yards. However, his sophomore season witnessed a significant leap, boasting 2,778 passing yards, 20 TDs, and a 63.4% completion rate.Notably, Leonard's career shifted gears after a pivotal endorsement from former Duke coach, David Cutcliffe. Fast-forward to 2023, Leonard stands tall as the returning starting quarterback and team captain for Duke. The list of accolades under his belt includes an Honorable Mention All-ACC, Academic All-ACC, CSC Academic All-District, Carmen Falcone Team MVP, Duke Offensive MVP, and the title of Military Bowl MVP in 2022.
Statistically, Leonard's figures are impressive owns a career pass efficiency rating of 137.35, 872 rushing yards from 171 attempts with 15 touchdowns, amassing a total offense of 4,220 yards. Furthermore, he has etched his name in the annals of Duke's records, holding the best TD-to-INT ratio at 3-1. Despite this, Leonard transferred to Notre Dame at the end of the 2023 season and is the presumptive starter in South Bend.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Boasts next-level ball placement and arm talent, consistently connecting with targets in stride on vertical routes; has the football IQ to read and exploit defensive schemes, making plays even when things break down.
- A true field general, Leonard was instrumental in Duke's turnaround; averaging 282.0 YPG and tallying 33 TDs in a standout season, these numbers have scouts buzzing.
- His pocket savviness is evident in his nimble footwork and innate ability to navigate pressure, frequently finding cleaner passing lanes and extending plays when initial designs fail.
- Despite his 6'4", 209lb frame, Leonard surprises defenses with his speed. His high school track background shines through, making defenses account for his dual-threat capability.
- Leonard's fearlessness is evident as he remains composed under pressure, showcasing resilience that's hard to teach. His impeccable internal clock promises well when facing NFL's blitz-hungry defenses.
- While some might label him an old-school pocket passer, Leonard's ability to evade the rush and break off significant runs, including a memorable 74-yard dash against the Tarheels, speaks otherwise.
- In a league pivoting towards mobile QBs, Leonard's ability to create with his legs and arm makes him an attractive prospect for teams looking for a dynamic signal-caller.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Displays rawness in pocket presence; has instances of hanging his targets out to dry and not consistently leveraging his eyes to manipulate the secondary.
- While flashes of timing exist, he'll occasionally sleep on the release, a concern given the absence of a cannon-like arm strength.
- His mechanics hint at a need for refining under center – ranging from erratic ball placement on vertical routes to tossing ducks under pressure.
- While possessing a toolbox of skills, he struggles with reading the full field at times and can telegraph his intentions to seasoned DBs.
- Ball security issues are underscored with a troubling number of pass breakups at the hands of defenders during tight window attempts.
- Accuracy dips considerably on bootlegs or when improvising outside of the pocket structure.
- The stiffness in his release, particularly when driving the ball, leads to the occasional missed opportunity deep or overthrown targets.
- Despite his potential, he seems to lack the spark or 'it factor' that sets apart the elite gunslingers in his cohort – notably seen in the depth of his passing chart metrics.
- His tape against high-level competition, such as the Boston College game, fails to highlight those coveted 'wow' moments that scouts look for in franchise signal-callers.
Scouting Report: Summary
Leonard, Duke's standout quarterback, has showcased a blend of poise and command that has made scouts take note. Under the Mike Elko regime, he transformed the team's performance, defying early projections and carving out a niche for himself in the ACC.
His game tape reveals a quarterback with a strong arm and an innate feel for the position. Leonard's capability to be effective both in the air and on the ground underscores his potential. However, areas like performance under pressure and the consistency of his deep balls call for refinement.
Though currently an under-the-radar prospect, Leonard's flashes of brilliance suggest a potential NFL starter. His trajectory hints at a promising talent ready to ascend draft boards. With continued development, especially against top-tier defenses like Clemson, Leonard's NFL draft stock is poised to rise, making him a compelling prospect to watch.
Currently he projects as a second or third-round selection in the 2025 NFL draft, however, with an outstanding year, especially in the spotlight at Notre Dame, he may see himself catapulted into the first round.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (IND-FBS)
How other scouting services rate Riley Leonard (Overall Rank)
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.