From now until the 2025 NFL Draft, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard.
#13 Riley Leonard/QB Notre Dame – 6033, 210 pounds (Senior)
Measurements
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Riley Leonard | 6033/210 | 9 1/4 | 32 1/2 | 77 1/4 |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
The Good
– Impressive overall athletic ability
– Good footwork in the pocket
– Impressive sack avoidance
– Quickly moves through progressions and gets the ball out on time
– Excellent rushing ability
– High motor and an incredible competitor; tough athlete who has extreme will to win
– Quick release
– Decent arm strength
– High IQ is shown by setting protection
– Good accuracy outside numbers and good accuracy on routes coming back to him
– Throws slants with beautiful accuracy
– Throws with good anticipation outside numbers
– Understands defenses and reads well pre-snap; reads high-low concepts well
– Great scrambling ability, looks to run
– Takes what defense gives him
– Effective pump fake
– Shows flashes of accuracy down the field and while under pressure
– Shows some flashes of throwing receivers open
– Adjusts arm angle to make acrobatic throws
– Gives good YAC opportunities
– Consistent clutch gene in must-win situations
The Bad
– He is overall inconsistent pushing the ball downfield and attacking down the middle of the field
– Can panic under pressure and bail out of pockets quickly
– Can throw wild under pressure while throwing off platform
– Hardly looks to throw downfield when scrambling
– Hardly pushes the ball downfield unless it is needed or wide open
– Takes hard hits that can lead to injury
– Feet not being set leads to bad accuracy and can become turnovers
– Elbow can drop leading to sailing passes
– Struggles to adjust to defenses changing post-snap
– Needs to throw with better anticipation on middle-of-field reads in five-step concepts
– Can panic against elite defenses; sometimes seems like the game moves too fast for him
Bio
– Started in 37 games across four years in college
– Transferred from Duke to Notre Dame after his junior season
– Started all 16 games for Notre Dame in 2024
– Led his team to the 2024 national championship game
– 2024 stats: 2,861 yards on 66.