Former Fairhope Pirate and current Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard has been one of the more talked about returning signal callers in the nation entering this season. Leonard, who will be entering his junior campaign at Duke, had a very nice sophomore year in his first go as the full-time starter.
Leonard completed 64% of his passes for nearly 3,000 yards and added 20 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions and added another 700 yards on the ground and 13 more scores. He helped lead Duke to a 9-4 season in 2022 as well as a Military Bowl victory over UCF where he was named the game MVP. According to a list from 247, Leonard is the 8th most dynamic returning QB in college football:
Some quarterbacks are more dynamic than others 🏈@BCrawford247 ranks the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football heading into 2023 ✍️https://t.co/ECt7ekjd0W pic.twitter.com/8TkXn7wjf9
— 247Sports (@247Sports) May 23, 2023
Check out some of Leonard’s highlight reel plays from the 2022 season that have garnered him national attention:
Riley Leonard to Jalon Calhoun for 32 yards!#duke #Temple pic.twitter.com/gbwq6xbtTn
— CFB Country (@_CFBCountry) September 3, 2022
Ok Duke QB Riley Leonard is 6’4” and went 24/30 328 yards 2 TD 0 INT this weekend. Also led them in rushing. IM JUST SAYING pic.twitter.com/QTVpLaC1Qn
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) September 4, 2022
60 YARDS TO THE 🏠 FOR RILEY LEONARD‼️ pic.twitter.com/xd8kZ2Wvpw
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 4, 2022
QB Spotlight: @DukeFOOTBALL Riley Leonard
*The best QB in CFB that you haven’t watched
*One of the top returning QBs in the ACC
*33tot tds in 2022✅1st clip shows his ability as a runner
✅2nd clip shows ability as a passer @accfootballnews @DukeFBCoverage pic.twitter.com/XoM4Gb6dI1— QB Spotlight (@QBspotlight) May 22, 2023
It feels like Leonard could be due to explode this year. The ACC is wide open and Duke should be very competitive in it after a solid 9-4 season that the Blue Devils will look to build on in 2023. Leonard is one of the best returning quarterbacks in the entire nation and will look to help Duke take the next step this season.
He’ll be tested early, with Duke hosting Clemson in their opening game of the season on September 4th.
