Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard is a fascinating 2025 NFL Draft prospect. The senior signal caller is amid a college football playoff run with the Fighting Irish. The decision to transfer from Duke to Notre Dame prior to the 2024 season proved to be fruitful for both parties. With eyes turning towards the 2025 NFL Draft, Leonard’s status as a draft prospect will begin to come into focus. As such, it will be beneficial to evaluate a 2025 Riley Leonard scouting report.
Overview, Film Analysis, and Early 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report of Notre Dame Quarterback Riley Leonard
Measurables
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 216 lbs
Riley Leonard Player Background
Riley Leonard began his career as a member of the Duke Blue Devils in 2021. In 2022, he was named the starter in only his second year with the program. It was this year where he posted career-best numbers in passing yards and touchdowns. Punctuating the year by being named the MVP of the military bowl, Leonard’s career seemed to be primed for a huge follow-up in 2023. After what proved to be an injury-marred year in which he posted 1102 passing yards, Leonard entered the transfer portal before the 2024 season.
The year began with a challenge. With hopes high, Notre Dame fell victim to one of the largest upsets of the 2024 season in week 2. Unranked Northern Illinois defeated the Fighting Irish 16-14 in what proved to be an incredibly challenging game for Leonard. This posed a challenge for Leonard. How would his tenure be remembered? Leonard rose to the occasion, finishing the year with 2,293 passing yards before Notre Dame’s showdown with Georgia. More importantly, Notre Dame has not lost a game since. NFL teams are sure to take notice of these efforts and his 2025 NFL Draft outlook has been on an upward trajectory.
Strengths
Looking at Riley Leonard’s game, there is a lot to like from those with an appreciation for efficiency. Leonard’s biggest strength is in his timing. Notre Dame’s offense is heavily predicated on timing, and Leonard operates the system to perfection. Balls are placed on the correct shoulders constantly, and receivers are hit in stride. Leonard is decisive in this quick-hitting offense, and gets the ball out quickly and with confidence.
Outside of his operation and handling of the offense, Riley Leonard is an athlete. Notre Dame relied heavily on Leonard’s legs throughout the year, and QB runs became a staple of their red zone offense. His lateral quickness as a rusher adds another dimension to his game that many quarterbacks lack. His quickness translates to the pocket as well, where his movements seem instinctive and fluid. There is a poise to his game that coaches and scouts are sure to adore.
Football acumen is strong on Leonard’s tape as well. His ability to look off safeties, and read through coverages, makes him a dangerous passer in the modern NFL. Riley Leonard’s understanding of how to reposition his feet after vacating the pocket also serves to prove his football IQ is at a high level. Overall, Leonard takes the term ‘game manager’ and embraces it in his game. His strengths are indicative of an ability to calmly operate an NFL offense.
Weaknesses
The biggest weaknesses in Riley Leonard’s game are mainly question marks. Notre Dame’s offense does not ask Leonard to do much in the way of pushing the ball down the field. While his Duke tape shows a bit more in the way of pushing the ball down the field, it is still infrequent and inconsistent. As such, the question will be whether this is something reflective of an inability to push the ball down the field. The offenses run by Leonard have been relatively simple. While we have seen quarterbacks overcome this in the past, it may not be something we have answered until well into Leonard’s career.
Potential Team Fits
NFL Projection
Riley Leonard currently best projects as an effective career NFL backup. While this is currently the most likely outcome, his tape clearly shows the potential for more. There are physical limitations in his game that may cap his ceiling, but the effectiveness of his play is something NFL teams will not ignore. It should not come as a surprise if Leonard were to excel beyond this and take hold of an NFL starting quarterback spot. As a ceiling, a player like Ryan Tannehill is a good name to shoot for. Whether Tannehill’s trip to the AFC Championship would come with him remains to be seen,
Main Photo: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
