Notre Dame is going from one talented ACC quarterback to another after Duke's Riley Leonard committed to the Fighting Irish on Tuesday.
Leonard, who helped the Blue Devils start the season with a stunning 28-7 victory over then-No. 9 Clemson, entered the transfer portal after his team's 7-5 season.
He announced his intention to play for Notre Dame on social media, writing “A dream come true. Go Irish,” with a shamrock image at the end.
Riley is expected to take over the starting job that ex-Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman had for the Fighting Irish this season. Hartman joined Notre Dame this past season after five seasons with the Demon Deacons.
Leonard played in 27 games for Duke the past three seasons, throwing for 4,450 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He played in just seven games this season after sustaining an injury late in a 21-14 loss to Notre Dame on Sept. 30.
People are also reading…
Leonard wasn't the only quarterback from an ACC school to announce a new destination Thursday.
Former Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke announced on social media that he has committed to Wisconsin.
Van Dyke threw for 7,478 yards and 54 touchdowns at Miami while starting 28 games over the last three seasons. He completed 65.8% of his passes for 2,703 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season. His best season came in 2021, when he threw for 2,931 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Purdue receiver Deion Burks said on social media he's committed to Oklahoma. Burks posted, “Took me a SEC but it was gone happen SOONER or later #BOOMER.” The Sooners are headed to the Southeastern Conference next season.
Burks had 47 catches for 629 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Michigan State quarterback Noah Kim has also announced his transfer destination and tight end Maliq Carr entered the portal.
Kim, who spent four seasons with the Spartans, will play for Coastal Carolina, he said on social media. Kim started the first five games this season before being replaced. He finished the season with 1,090 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions.
The Chanticleers quarterback the past four seasons, Grayson McCall, and his backup, Jarrett Guest, have both entered the portal.
Ex-Ohio State running back Chip Trayanum has committed to Kentucky. He also announced his choice on social media.
Trayanum was the Buckeyes second-leading rusher this season with 373 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught nine passes for 53 yards.
The Wildcats had success this season with a transfer portal tailback, getting Ray Davis from Vanderbilt. Davis ran for 1,066 yards and seven TDs this season.
Gronowski, Shirden lead FCS All-America team
South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski and Monmouth running back Jaden Shirden, both finalists for the Walter Payton Award given to the most outstanding player in the Championship Subdivision, were selected to the Associated Press FCS All-America team announced Tuesday.
Gronowski is trying to lead the Jackrabbits to their second straight national championship. He leads the nation in passing efficiency rating at 178.06, with 25 touchdown passes. Shirden is the nation’s leading rusher with 1,478 yards.
Gronowski is one of four South Dakota State players selected to the first-team, along with offensive linemen Garret Greenfield and Mason McCormick.
The Jackrabbits host Albany on Friday night in the FCS semifinals. The Great Danes have two first-team All-Americans on their defense in defensive lineman Anton Juncaj and linebacker Dylan Kelly.
Second-team quarterback Max Brosmer of New Hampshire is the third finalists for the Payton Award, which will be presented Jan. 6, the day before the FCS national championship game.
North Dakota State plays at Montana on Saturday in the other FCS semifinals.
The All-America team is selected for AP by a panel of sports writers and sports information directors who cover FCS.