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Riley Leonard path to Notre Dame Football shaped by Jimbo Fisher news

By Oliver Vandervoort

Oct 21, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard (13) during the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard (13) during the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame Football could be big beneficiaries of Jimbo Fisher’s firing, including getting a brand new quarterback out of the deal.

Texas A&M looks like it’s officially moving on from its very expensive head coach. Jimbo Fisher is reportedly out and talk about who might replace him is already rolling along.

There are going to be lists of top candidates being pushed out in the hundreds over the next few weeks, but one of the top candidates is almost certainly going to be Duke head coach Mike Elko. It just makes too much sense.

If Elko does eventually get offered and takes the job, the Blue Devils are going to be ripe for the picking. Among those who might decide that Raleigh, North Carolina is no longer the best spot for them is quarterback Riley Leonard.

I’ve talked about the possibility of Leonard joining the Notre Dame Football team next season should Elko leave Duke. When I mentioned it, the chances of it happening were still pretty small. They’re looking bigger now.

Notre Dame will almost certainly turn to the transfer portal to replace current quarterback Sam Hartman. Riley Leonard would almost certainly be near the top of the wishlist if he made himself available. If Elko leaves, it certainly seems like he’d do exactly that.

Notre Dame Football finding a way in the door with Riley Leonard

There is, of course a chance that Leonard would follow Elko to Texas A&M. But it seems more likely he’d rather stick around ACC country. Notre Dame isn’t really in the ACC, but they play the conference enough that it’s almost like they are.

We’ll ignore, for the purposes of this argument that Leonard is from Alabama. Why let the fact that he’s from Alabama rain on our parade?

Besides, Max Johnson is already there, he’s only a sophomore and is playing better as the year goes on.

All of this is still very early. It could all be moot.

Elko might not be hired by Texas A&M. Leonard might not leave Duke.

But if the dominoes start falling, it’s not hard to see Notre Dame Football being a beneficiary.

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