Notre Dame football is targeting Duke quarterback Riley Leonard in the portal when the transfer portal opens. He could follow his coach to Texas A&M.
It seems likely that former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard will head to South Bend not long after the transfer portal officially opens. Notre Dame football targeted him since he formally declared he was leaving Duke. He will likely transfer because his head coach, Mike Elko left for Texas A&M.
That begs the question, what if Leonard decides to follow Elko to College Station?
This portal class has many good quarterbacks, but no Russell Wilson or Caleb Williams is in this transfer class. Head coach Marcus Freeman and his offensive staff are looking for a cultural fit and someone who fits the scheme.
Notre Dame Football could wait until Spring.
If Leonard goes to A&M, Notre Dame could stand pat and wait until the spring window opens. Some quarterback competitions could send someone to the portal. Texas and Georgia are two teams that immediately come to mind; one of its backups could decide to transfer.
If you wait until Spring, you risk not getting one of the better transfers in the portal. However, you never know who might be available if you do. Freeman and the staff know one thing: they cannot enter the 2024 season without signing a quarterback in the portal.
Notre Dame Football has a relationship with Dante Moore.
Dante Moore was the country’s third-rated quarterback and fourth-rated player in 2023. Most scouts felt he was as talented as Arch Manning or Nico Iamaleava from high school. Notre Dame was one of the schools that offered Moore, and he did visit South Bend during the recruiting process.
Moore has entered the portal after one year at UCLA. He had an up-and-down year in Westwood, marked by injury and inconsistent play. Head coach Chip Kelly rotated him in and out of the lineup with Ethan Garbers and Colin Schlee.
Signing Moore means the Irish are willing to commit to another young quarterback. The Detroit native would come to South Bend with three years of eligibility. Do the Irish want to sign another young quarterback?
Quarterbacks who can spend more than a season in a system have had the most success signing out for the portal. However, if Freeman and the coaching staff feel like they are a quarterback away, they’ll likely look for a more experienced quarterback than Moore.
Will Howard could be the type of veteran Notre Dame Football seeks.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley is currently courting Will Howard. However, if he doesn’t head to Hollywood, Howard would be a great fit in South Bend. Howard would be a graduate transfer and a one-and-done player. The Pennsylvania native would be significantly closer to home at Notre Dame than at USC.
Howard gives Jack Coan vibes. Coan was a solid, veteran quarterback when he transferred to Notre Dame from Wisconsin. He led the Irish to an 11-1 record and a Fiesta Bowl appearance. Would Howard get the Irish over the top, get them in the playoffs, and win a game or two?
Maybe. Howard is battle-tested. He led the Wildcats to a Big 12 Championship, defeating TCU — who made the College Football Playoff — in the title game in 2022. Howard had a career-high in completions (219), yards (2643), and touchdowns (24). Why leave Manhattan? Howard could declare for the NFL draft but is not a top prospect.
Chris Klieman and the offensive staff are likely ready to begin the Avery Johnson era at Kansas State. The writing is on the wall for Howard at Kansas State. Unless he goes to USC, Notre Dame could be possible if Leonard doesn’t go to A&M.
Notre Dame Football could decide if you can’t beat him, join him
The first time Notre Dame was introduced to senior quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei was in 2020. The California native completed 29 passes for 439 yards and two touchdowns in one of the year’s games. His second performance against the Irish wasn’t as good: 27 completions, 191 yards, and a touchdown.
What Notre Dame does know is that the Saint John Bosco High School product is a hefty — 250 pounds — strong-armed quarterback who would be great for their system. Uiagalelei is a plus in the running game, with the ability to throw the football deep. His head coach, Johnathan Smith, is headed to East Lansing, Michigan, and the Michigan State Spartans.
Like Riley Leonard, Uiagalelei could follow his coach to East Lansing. Noah Kim, Katin Houser, and Sam Leavitt are all leaving, so the Spartans desperately need a quarterback. The possibility exists that Uiagalelei could be in Michigan State green to end his career. That said, the Irish could use a quarterback of Uiagalelei’s caliber.
He proved this season the problem at Clemson did not move to Corvallis; he was fired in the offseason. Whatever people’s opinion of Uiagalelei is, he’d fit in South Bend.
Notre Dame football wants to run so KJ Jefferson could be the guy
Arkansas quarterback Jefferson is currently linked to Auburn, but he would be a fit for what Notre Dame wants to do offensively. Jefferson is a true dual-threat quarterback who is as dangerous with his legs and arms. The sixth-year senior battled nagging injuries this year on his way to throwing for 2107 yards, 19 touchdowns, and rushing for 447 yards.
There is the possibility that Jefferson, a Mississippi native, wants to stay in the South. However, having a quarterback who is a threat as a runner would be a net positive for Notre Dame, especially since Audric Estime hasn’t decided his football future.
Jefferson announced his intention to enter the portal soon after losing to Missouri. Jefferson isn’t Auburn’s only target. Hugh Freeze and the Tigers are also looking at Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward and Duke quarterback Riley Leonard.
Jefferson has one year of eligibility left wherever he lands. He amassed 7,911 yards and 67 touchdowns. Jefferson was also an integral part of the running game. Jefferson ran for 1,876 yards and 21 touchdowns during his career in Fayetteville.
Notre Dame football does not have to look far for Brendan Sorsby
Indiana quarterback Brendan Sorsby came from nowhere to have an outstanding season in Bloomington. He spent most of the first half of the season splitting snaps with Tennesee transfer quarterback Tayven Jackson. When Jackson got hurt, Sorsby took the job and kept it. The Texas native threw for 1587 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Sorsby is a plus in the running game, chipping in 276 yards and four touchdowns. Though Sorsby isn’t the dual threat that Jefferson is (or Leonard, for that matter), he is a plus in the running game and wouldn’t take many of the sacks that Sam Hartman took this season.
Notre Dame needed a playmaker at quarterback who could make plays when things broke down this year. Sorsby proved that he can make plays with his arm and legs when things break down.
There might be some incentive for Sorsby to transfer to Notre Dame. His favorite target and wide receiver, Donaven McCulley, entered his name in the transfer portal. The Irish are targeting him with the program’s mass exodus of wide receivers.
If Riley Leonard follows Mike Elko to College Station, Sorsby should be Notre Dame football’s top target.