Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard cracks top five ranking for A to Z NFL Draft analyst
When you look at the 2025 NFL Draft class, there might not be a more heavily debated and divisive position group than quarterback. Opinions seem to be all over the place, valuing signal callers at varying degrees, with a lot more questions than answers currently. A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst Rob Gregson dropped […]
When you look at the 2025 NFL Draft class, there might not be a more heavily debated and divisive position group than quarterback. Opinions seem to be all over the place, valuing signal callers at varying degrees, with a lot more questions than answers currently. A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst Rob Gregson dropped his top five quarterback list on Tuesday, which included several recognizable names, and an interesting overall ranking.
The list included Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, who came in at No. 5 on Gregson’s positional ranking. The former Duke signal caller brings an impressive level of arm talent, size, and athleticism, which has Irish fans buzzing this offseason. Here is what Gregson had to say about Leonard.
Riley Leonard kicks off the list thanks to his tangible readiness and obvious football acumen. The Duke transfer is looking to take the Golden Domers over the top this season as he leads the way for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Leonard was able to crack the top five thanks to a well-rounded skillset and the best dual-threat ability of anyone in the top five. He doesn't have an elite arm, but he looks the part at 6-5 and around 230 pounds.
His Duke tape shows a player who can diagnose coverage and go 1-2-3 in the blink of an eye. Being cerebral plays in the NFL, and between his legs, build, and processing, Leonard's front office fans will only grow.
It is fair analysis, and criticism for Leonard, who does have a lot to prove in 2024. After a fast start last season, an ankle injury against Notre Dame cut his season short, which turned out to the beginning of the end. Before then, Leonard was being mentioned by several NFL Draft pundits were hyping Leonard up as a potential first round draft selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The injury forced him to return this fall, opting for the transfer portal and spending his final season in South Bend. Leonard has been hyped up as a big riser in the class. Having a fully healthy season in 2024 will decide just how high he could be selected during the 2025 NFL Draft class.
The quarterbacks who were ranked ahead of Leonard was Quinn Ewers (Texas) at the top of the list, followed by Carson Beck (Georgia), Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), and Conner Weigman (Texas A&M). Leonard will be facing off against Weigman on August 31st to take on Texas A&M when the Irish travel down to Kyle Field in game one.
