Drake Maye, the starting quarterback for UNC, has received high praise from the college football community for his outstanding performance in his first six games. Slowing down the QB is not an easy task. In that place, getting appreciation from such a stellar performer is considered a great start for Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard. 

Not only Drake but there was more on the list who praised the prowess of Leonard. Gene Chizik, UNC’s defensive coordinator, also said, “I’m really impressed with him. Number one, his ability to scramble and extend plays with his legs. Really talented.” Adding, “And in the run game, he’s really good with that. ” Now, you may be curious to know what are the words exactly spoken by Drake to Leonard. Let me tell you those precious words. 

Two-Word Praise From Patriots

Despite being tied with Texas A&M in the fourth quarter of his Notre Dame debut, quarterback Riley Leonard was unwavering in his belief that he could lead the Fighting Irish to win. Even with his contribution, No. 7 Notre Dame got a victory over Texas A&M with a record of 23-13 which was the opener for both the teams. On September 4, 2024, in celebration of victory, Fighting Irish QB posted a picture with a lovely caption, “That was fun”. In that post, praising the prowess of Riley, Patriots’ quarterback, Drake Maye, commented, “That guy”. It reflects true sportsmanship. 

However, it’s not very rare that CFB players praise each other and even make friends while playing for different programs. You may know about the friendship of Cam Ward and Sheduer Sanders. But obviously, there exists some healthy rivalry that pushes them to become more competitive and bring success to their respective team. Now, let me take you on a tour of the previous track record of Leonard.

Riley Leonard’s prowess in gridiron

Before committing to Notre Dame, Leonard spent three seasons at Duke and there he recorded 4,450 yards and 24 touchdowns. Unfortunately, due to an ankle injury, his 2023 season was cut short. Although, his contribution in that season offered Duke a 4-0. Such a remarkable performance Leonard impressed Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.

After that, within two weeks, Leonard joined the Fighting Irish. Leonard’s great-grandfather, James Curran, played at Notre Dame in the early 1940s. Therefore, joining the same program was nostalgic for the star athlete and he stated, “To be able to live his legacy and feel what he felt back in the day really means a lot to me, and it obviously means a lot to my family“. However, there is a huge chance that Notre Dame will become a playoff contender this year and Leonard will be one of the main contributors, along with other talented players. Let’s wait and watch what can bring this talented QB this year.