Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard (13) is chased by Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Cam Hart (5) and cornerback Clarence Lewis (6) during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
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: 02/26/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.52 seconds (96%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.5 DOB: 09/13/2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: Dual Threat QB | |
| Last Updated: 02/26/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.52 seconds (96%*) | |
| Age: 22.5 DOB: 09/13/2002 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 83.8 / 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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82% |
| Short Passing: |
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71% |
| Medium Passing: |
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74% |
| Long Passing: |
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89% |
| Rush/Scramble: |
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82% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#98
Position rank:
#6
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| College Games: 40 College Snaps: 2249 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
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247 RATING: 86/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Desmond Ridder - Cincinnati |
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80% |
| Michael Pratt - Tulane |
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67% |
| Adrian Martinez - Kansas State |
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66% |
Draft Profile: Bio
From the small coastal town of Fairhope, Alabama, Riley Leonard wasn't supposed to be here. Despite leading his high school to a stellar 31-12 record and earning Player of the Year honors, the major programs passed him by. A three-star recruit ranked as just the 20th best dual-threat quarterback in his class, Leonard's athletic gifts were hidden in plain sight. The 6'4", 216-pound athlete was actually better known for his basketball prowess, earning a spot on Alabama's Super All-State Basketball Team. But it was Duke who saw something special, taking a chance on the overlooked quarterback who would prove the doubters wrong. In his breakout 2022 season, Leonard silenced critics by joining elite company - becoming one of just three FBS quarterbacks to eclipse 2,900 passing yards and 695 rushing yards, alongside future first-round picks Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels.His rise at Duke was meteoric. After earning the starting job, Leonard led the Blue Devils to their first nine-win season in nearly a decade, capping it off with Military Bowl MVP honors. The fairy tale seemed set to continue in 2023 until a devastating toe injury derailed his season after just seven games. But Leonard wasn't done writing his story. Trading Duke blue for Notre Dame gold, he bet on himself with a transfer to South Bend. The gamble paid off - Leonard not only recovered but thrived, breaking Notre Dame's single-season record for quarterback rushing touchdowns with 15 scores in 2024 while leading the Irish to signature wins over USC and Ohio State.
Leonard's athletic bloodlines run deep - his father was a basketball standout at The Citadel, setting school records for steals, while his uncle played hoops at Georgetown. That basketball background shows up in his game, with the kind of spatial awareness and quick-twitch athleticism that can't be taught.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite athlete with wheels that pop off the tape - his foot speed and basketball background show up in game situations, like that filthy juke against USC's linebacker in space.
- Nasty deep ball thrower who consistently drops it in the bucket where only his guy can get it, as shown by that 54-yard dime against Penn State to tie the game.
- Pre-snap savant who diagnoses defensive leverages and coverage shells with veteran awareness, especially lethal against zone looks where he finds soft spots between defenders.
- Shows some dog when plays break down, keeping his eyes downfield while navigating chaos - made multiple huge throws on the move against Ohio State.
- Pocket movement is silky smooth with the ability to slide and reset his platform while maintaining throwing mechanics, especially impressive against Georgia's pass rush.
- Absolute weapon in the QB run game with patient vision and burst through the hole - that three-touchdown performance against Purdue was clinic tape.
- Quick processor who gets the ball out on time in the rhythm passing game, particularly effective working the middle of the field against zone coverage.
- Natural born leader who commanded both Duke and Notre Dame's huddles with ease - teammates gravitate to his steady presence in critical moments.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lower body mechanics fall apart under pressure, causing him to spray routine throws - that fourth quarter against Florida State showed concerning accuracy dips when rushed.
- Makes bone-headed decisions trying to play hero ball when getting sacked instead of protecting the football, could be a turnover machine against NFL edge rushers.
- Gets stuck on his first read too often and misses open receivers breaking late - showed up repeatedly against Georgia when they disguised coverages post-snap.
- Mechanics from under center need serious work - heel clicks and rushed footwork led to several missed layups on timing routes against Virginia Tech.
- Medical red flags from that toe injury at Duke require thorough vetting, especially given how much his game relies on explosive athleticism and quick-twitch movements.
Scouting Report: Summary
Leonard's film reveals a quarterback whose physical traits outstrip his current level of play. Despite moments of brilliance - like that 54-yard strike against Penn State and his record-setting rushing performance at Notre Dame - his overall body of work suggests a mid-round developmental prospect. He flashes high-end arm talent on vertical routes but struggles with consistency in the short game, where routine throws become adventures far too often.Raw tools alone don't make an NFL starter. Leonard's quick processing and dual-threat ability will intrigue teams, but his mechanical inconsistencies and decision-making under pressure push him down draft boards. His athletic testing numbers and collegiate production warrant third-round consideration, though his current ranking reflects the gap between potential and polish.
The right landing spot is crucial for Leonard's development. A team with an established starter and offensive coordinator experienced in developing mobile quarterbacks could unlock his potential. His combination of size, touch on the deep ball, and speed provide a foundation to build upon, but expectations should be tempered - this is a multi-year project who needs significant refinement before competing for a starting role.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (IND-FBS)
Riley Leonard percentiles vs other Quarterbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Riley Leonard (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
147.6
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
11.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*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.
*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.