Riley Leonard
Riley capped a stellar college career by leading Notre Dame to the CFP National Championship game and one of the most historic campaigns in program history during his single season in South Bend. He set a Notre Dame single-season record for rushing touchdowns (17), led the Irish to 13 straight victories and three CFP playoff wins, including victories over Penn State in the Orange Bowl and Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. In both games Riley was named Offensive MVP. In the CFP final against Ohio State, he passed for a season-best 255 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and 295 yards of combined offense. On the season, Riley totaled 21 touchdown passes, nearly 3000 passing yards and 900 rushing yards, and completed 67% of his passes.
Riley has picked up numerous national honors during the 2024 season, including Senior Bowl Offensive Player of the Week, Davey O’Brien Great 8 QB of the Week, and Manning Award Star of the Week. He was a finalist for Collegiate Man of the Year and a nominee for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award. Elected team captain following his transfer from Duke, Riley continued to earn respect and high regard for his character and leadership on and off the field.
Prior to transferring to Notre Dame, Riley starred at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to an undefeated start in 2023, the program’s highest ranking since 1994 and first-ever appearance on ESPN College GameDay. He earned praise for his leadership, toughness, and skills — and multiple first round NFL Draft projections from a host of major publications prior to an injury that shortened his season.
Riley’s junior campaign followed a breakout sophomore season when he earned All-ACC honors and was one of just two quarterbacks in the country with 20-plus passing touchdowns, 13-plus rushing touchdowns, and at least 2900 yards passing and 700 yards rushing. One of the most dynamic multi-sport prep talents in Alabama history, Riley landed Division 1 offers in both football and basketball during his career at Fairhope High School. He chose Duke after totaling 2500 yards and 25 touchdowns during a dominant senior campaign.
Riley Leonard Named MVP of the Military Bowl After Duke Crushes UCF, 30-13
Sophomore quarterback Riley Leonard was named the Military Bowl MVP after rolling up 236 total yards and scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns as Duke capped a nine-win season by beating UCF, 30-13, in the Military Bowl, presented by Peraton, on Wednesday in Annapolis, Md.
ACC Coach of the Year Mike Elko finished his first season at Duke with a 9-4 record and the program's seventh bowl victory, including a current bowl winning streak of four consecutive. UCF ended its season at 9-5.
The nation's second-leading team in turnover margin, Duke was plus-two vs. UCF with a fumble recovery and a game-sealing interception in the game's final seconds by rookie Chandler Rivers.
Led by Leonard's two rushing scores, the Blue Devils converted three rushing touchdowns in the game to finish the season with 31, setting a new Duke standard for a single-season.
No surprise that former Fairhope standout Riley Leonard is QB1 at Duke
Riley Leonard is a great athlete. Not only was he an All-State football player, but he also was the Class 7A state basketball player of the year and the two-time Coastal Alabama Male Athlete of the Year for the Fairhope Pirates. He could have played college basketball or football but ultimately chose football. That looks like a pretty good decision at this point.
More than being a great athlete, Riley Leonard is a one-of-a-kind person. In fact, I dare say that is part of what makes him a great athlete. It wouldn’t be hard to find a Riley Leonard fan in Fairhope or probably anywhere along the Eastern Shore. Friends, teammates, rivals, whatever.