Riley Leonard’s bizarre request to his Duke professor last year resurfaces after Notre Dame’s win over Georgia
Riley Leonard completed 15 of 24 passes for 90 yards and one touchdown while also leading with 14 carries for 80 yards.
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Riley Leonard started for Duke Blue Devils in 2021 in his sophomore year after sitting out during freshman year. (Images via Associated Press/X)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish ended the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs’ quest to add its showcase in the CFP Quarter Finals. In the lopsided fight, Notre Dame, who has only lost once this season, defeated the Bulldogs 23-10 in the 90th All-State Sugar Bowl. Riley Leonard, the Notre Dame QB passed 90 yards with 15 completions and 1 touchdown to lead the Irish to the semifinals.
Leonard, 22, also rushed for 80 yards with 15 carries. His performance not only handed him his first CFP final-four appearance but also the Miller-Digby Trophy for the Most Offensive Player in the Sugar Bowl. The South Carolina-born Alabama brought up Leonard played for Duke Blue Devils in his first years before joining the Fighting Irish this year.
In thirteen starts, the 22-year-old has a PCT of 66.8 while registering 2293 passing yards and 17 passing touchdowns. He has also recorded his best rushing performance – 135 rushing attempts for 751 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Amid personal glory, an old video of Riley Leonard is also gaining traction. The young quarterback famously asked his professor for an extension last year after beating the No. 9 Clemson Tigers. It was a historic night when Leonard became the first college QB to lead a then-unranked team to a win over a team in the Associated Press preseason top 10.
“Professor Taylor, if you see this, please let me turn in my homework late,” Leonard is seen asking the professor in the viral video.
Well did he get the extension? Unfortunately, no. Professor Donald Taylor – director of Duke’s Social Science Research Institute and a professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy – is a high-standards person who denied the quarterback’s request. The professor recorded a video expressing that the quarterback, as much as like his other teammates who had completed the assignment beforehand, should turn it in.
Hey Riley, great game last night, man it was so exciting. Congratulations to you and all your teammates. You know Wesley Williams and the other linemen who are in the class, they said they prepared ahead and did it ahead of time. So why didn’t the quarterback? No way man. No extension.
The professor stated in the video
Tough lesson to learn for Duke's QB Riley Leonard after asking his professor for an extension on his homework following the Blue Devil's win over Clemson last night ?
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 6, 2023
(Via @DukeU) pic.twitter.com/aVXBEjdIdA
Amid a CFP Semifinal appearance, Riley Leonard makes Mel Kiper Jr.’s Top 10 Quarterbacks for the 2025 NFL Draft
Riley Leonard, despite, being a dual-threat option with an impressive 2024 season hasn’t appeared in any big listicles. Leonard whose college-eligibility ends with the Fighting Irish’s current season reportedly will head to the professionals in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Amid a successful win over Indiana State in the first round and the defeat of Georgia Bulldogs in delayed Sugar Bowl, Leonard now has the spotlight bright on him. In his 2025 NFL draft Big Board rankings, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN has ranked the 22-year-old at 10th position among all quarterbacks. Leonard has demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities, excelling with both his arms and legs.
Leonard’s mobility makes him particularly dangerous, further amplified by his development as a passer. He completed 66.1% of his throws for 2,383 yards and 18 touchdowns. Although he won’t be the first-round choice, Leonard stands a chance to be a developmental prospect and a good backup in times of need. One never knows when they need a new quarterback, after all, the Browns are utilizing their 40th fresh face as QB since 1999 in Bailey Zappe for the upcoming week.
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Mohammed Bazim
(491 Articles Published)