QB Riley Leonard Didn’t Help Himself in 2023

“Inconsistency,” is the last word anyone wants to hear in an NFL scouting department, but that defines what Notre Dame transfer quarterback (QB) Riley Leonard looked like last season at Duke on game film.

After grading his 2022 game film, I was excited to study his 2023 performance. However, that excitement quickly changed to disappointment.

Leonard took a step back.

It was confirmed by touchdown production. He threw 20 touchdowns in 13 games in 2022, and only three touchdowns in seven games in 2023.

It showed up in his completion percentage.

2022: 63.9%

2023: 59.7%

It also was seen in his deep game. Leonard’s deep ball was one of his best attributes in 2022, but in 2023, his deep accuracy fell off a cliff in attempts that I charted during my film study to be 23.5% accurate (4/17).

Further confirmation

Heading into the 2023 season, I was left with four questions and Leonard failed to answer three of those successfully.

1. Can he duplicate last season? No

2. Does he show improvement in his mechanics? No

3. Ball security? Pass breakups (PBUs) improved from a 3.75 per game average (15/4 games) to a 1.71 per game average (12/7 games).

4. Does he stay healthy? No

Erratic passer

Leonard’s downfield ball placement was all over the road in 2023.

It was best against Lafayette, Northwestern, and UCONN, but against Clemson, Notre Dame, FSU, and Louisville it looked like he was throwing with a blindfold on.

Even short-range passes weren’t slam dunks in these four games.

The regular combination of inconsistent footwork in the pocket and holding the ball too long was a recipe for inaccuracies. Even when Leonard completed his passes, the ball did not often arrive in an ideal location for receivers to attempt to pick up additional yardage after receptions.

Too many passes were high, low, and behind receivers.

Good runner

Leonard is one of the best runners in the 2025 NFL Draft class.

Leonard consistently escaped pressure and picked up decent chunks of yardage. While he isn’t going to make highlight tapes running the ball, he’s tough and competitive and he showed good contact balance, the ability to make a man miss in the open field, and decent playing speed.

Television announcers raved about Leonard’s running and attributed that trait to good spatial awareness from his basketball background.

Can an NFL team win with him?

At this point of his development ⎯no.

The game looked like it was already getting too big for him at Duke. He only looked comfortable in the pocket against lesser college competition.

#13 Riley Leonard 6-foot-4, 212 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Summer Grade: Seventh-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 4.2% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of May 30, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Does Duke QB Riley Leonard Have an NFL Future? (2022: 4 games evaluated)

Game film reviewed (2023): Clemson, Notre Dame, FSU, Louisville, Lafayette, Northwestern, and UCONN (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Injury Note Per Bleacher Report: Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard Has 2nd Surgery on Ankle Injury; No Timetable for Return (March 23, 2024)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic prospect with natural arm strength, but too inconsistent as a passer. Alert. High energy level. Competitive. Best throwing short range from a clean pocket. Left leg tends to stiffen upon release causing the ball to sail high or overthrow targets. Tends to push the ball out, which causes inaccuracies and/or placement issues. The biggest problem is he leans toward being more creative from the pocket rather than taking what’s there and getting the ball out of his hand on time. Throws from different arm angles. Lacks touch and throwing instincts. Doesn’t always see defenders. Prone to fumbling (charted 4x).

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Time to throw?

2. Downfield ball placement?

3. Completing deep passes?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.