Notre Dame QB Leonard leading with faith first, helping unify team on and off the field

Riley Leonard may have one of the most prestigious roles in college football as a quarterback on a historic team, but he’s using it to point others to Christ.

Described as “naturally curious, insanely talented, relentlessly competitive, and deeply religious” by the South Bend Tribune, Leonard officially made his debut for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Saturday, leading his then-No. 7 ranked team to a 23-13 road victory over No. 20 Texas A&M.

Leonard threw for 158 yards and ran for 63 more, outlasting an Aggies core that topped the Southeastern Conference in rush defense last year. The win propelled Notre Dame to No. 5 in the AP polls.

While Leonard, a senior, had hoped to be in the NFL draft before this season after three solid years at Duke University, an ankle injury four games into last year cut his aspirations short. He sustained the injury against Notre Dame. 

But his performance still impressed Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. Leonard committed to the Fighting Irish after just two weeks in the transfer portal. 

It was a dream come true, as Leonard’s great-grandfather James Curran suited up for the Irish back in the 1940’s. 

“To be able to live his legacy and feel what he felt back in the day really means a lot to me, and it obviously means a lot to my family,” Leonard said in a recent video. 

Though he is approaching this football season with the mindset of an NFL quarterback as he seeks to further his professional career, it’s not his highest priority. 

“When I go to bed at night, I’m not thinking, ‘How many touchdown passes did I throw?’ ‘Did we win or lose?’ I’m thinking, ‘Did I better my relationship with Jesus Christ? Did I treat my girlfriend with respect? Did I call my parents?’” Leonard said in a February interview with The Irish Tribune. 

Throughout his collegiate career, the 6-foot-4-inch, 212-pounder has donned a wristband during games with one of his favorite verses, Matthew 23:12: “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 

Leonard went out of his way to make sure the cameras caught the bible reference in his on-field interview with ESPN following Saturday’s win. He also painted a cross in eye black under his left eye for the game. 

He explained in the post-game interview that part of what makes this Irish team so special is their cohesiveness on and off the field, including how their bond comes from the incredible growth the team’s Bible study has experienced in recent months. 

“One of the biggest bragging points about this team is we have 40 guys show up to our Bible study sometimes every Thursday. That’s really a credit to them. It started with five guys, but it’s grown to 40,” he said. “This team is just so close. And everything that we do, we do as a unit.” 

According to ESPN analytics, the Irish have the highest chance to win the rest of their games to secure a perfect season and a guaranteed spot in this year’s College Football playoff. If Leonard can lead the team down that path, he will likely be taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Yahoo! Sports staff writer Nate Tice recently ranked Leonard as the top QB in this year’s draft class. 

Notre Dame kicks off their home opener against Northern Illinois (1-0) in South Bend Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.