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.