Well, Riley Leonard’s story is straight out of a Netflix thriller. This guy traded basketball for football, resurrected Duke’s program, and took Notre Dame to playoff finals, and now faces a potential draft snub. His ascent was meteoric; his decline, brutal. Injuries derailed him, transfers disrupted his momentum, and scouts lost interest. But Coach Marcus Freeman remains steadfastly loyal. As for him, Leonard isn’t finished; he’s just caught between unrealized potential and an uncertain future. And that’s where the real grit kicks in.
Look, Riley Leonard exploded onto the 2024 scene with a vengeance, proving all the doubters wrong. Previously an overlooked quarterback, lost in the transfer portal shuffle, he arrived in South Bend and completely transformed his game. Leonard amassed 2,861 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, then added another 906 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns—a school record—with remarkable ease. His electrifying performances led Notre Dame to an 11-1 regular season and a playoff berth, igniting hopes of a championship run.
It’s weird how even after taking ND to playoffs, Riley Leonard’s draft stock is plummeting. College Sports Network’s latest mock draft has him at pick 254 in the seventh round—a huge fall from March, when Yahoo Sports projected him at pick 49 in the second. Another mock placed him in the fourth round, but this seventh-round projection is alarming. Have scouts forgotten he is the guy behind ND’s success last season? But Marcus Freeman is out there pointing out what they might be missing on See Ball, Get Ball with David Pollack.
Even though Riley Leonard’s draft stock might see a serious hit, scouts and analysts might want to consider his high-level decision-making in key moments and his zeal to be the best. As Marcus Freeman said, “Riley was a guy that when the game was on the line, I had the utmost confidence in him having to fall on his hands. He was just going to make the right decision, and then he’s such a competitor. It was the Georgia game, I don’t remember, but he’s running up the sidelines, and it was, I think, a third down, and he jumps over the top and gets flipped over the defender.” There’s no one who will even think of taking that risk.
But he did it, and that’s the reason Riley Leonard was Marcus Freeman’s most trusted guy. And he admits it openly, “And I’m like, that’s not the position you want your quarterback in, but he gets a first down, gets up, hands it upon the official, and let’s keep going. And so there was such a conviction, I had him as a competitor.” It’s not just Georgia’s game; this guy even pulled off something of the same sort against Ohio State, too.
Right from the kickoff, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard took charge. He orchestrated an impressive 18-play, 75-yard drive, eating up nearly ten minutes of the first quarter. Twice, facing fourth-and-short, Leonard fearlessly plowed through the Ohio State defense for crucial first downs. He capped off the drive with a touchdown run, immediately setting an aggressive tone for the Irish. That’s the reason, despite losing against them, he remained the guy who shined through it all.
So? which can finally make use of all his explosiveness and competitive spirit?
Riley Leonard’s possible NFL team
Look, this season’s mock drafts keep playing around with Riley Leonard, and now the Raiders are also into the mix. But how? Having traded for Geno Smith, they’re set at quarterback for 2025, so they can avoid a hasty early pick. PFF’s Jordan Plocher’s latest quarterback-focused mock draft has the Raiders selecting Leonard at pick number 68 in the third round. This aligns with their strategy: Geno bridges the gap while Leonard develops.
“With the top two quarterbacks off the board by the No. 6 pick, the Raiders must address the position later in the draft,” said Plocher. He further adds to it and said, “Trading a third-round pick for Geno Smith gives them a short-term solution, allowing them to hold off on spending a high draft pick at quarterback — at least for now.” Look for now, the Raiders are not swinging big yet, but Riley Leonard sure gives them a perfect backup option without losing their position.
Now, he didn’t just stop at that as Plocher adds: “Leonard is an accurate passer, ranking No. 5 in the draft class with a 78.2% adjusted completion percentage. He also brings experience, with 37 career starts, and is a talented and productive runner. Frequently utilized in the ground game, he earned a strong 82.8 rushing grade in 2024, an elite mark for a quarterback.” Even if he’s not ready to start, the Raiders’ creativity, particularly in the red zone, where he shines the most.
The Raiders might explore other options like Jaxson Dart or Will Howard, who generate more excitement. However, if they remain patient, Leonard is a logical choice. He’s not flashy, but he’s tough, talented, and has potential. At the very least, he adds some needed spark to a quarterback room that is currently lacking a long-term solution. Now, let’s just wait and see if Marcus Freeman’s admiration can push Riley Leonard’s draft stock or not!
The post Struggling Riley Leonard Receives Ultimate Gift from Marcus Freeman to Rescue His Sinking NFL Stocks appeared first on EssentiallySports.