On Dec. 12, 2023, a significant announcement was made by Riley Leonard through Instagram. After three years as Duke's quarterback, he revealed his transfer to Notre Dame. The video captured him holding a football, tapping the "Play Like A Champion Today" sign in the locker room, walking out onto the Notre Dame Stadium field, and interacting with his new teammates. It truly was a dream come true for him.

Notre Dame's Riley Leonard Leads Team to Playoff Glory

Transfer and Initial Moments at Notre Dame

During that Instagram announcement, it was clear that a new chapter was beginning for Riley Leonard. He stepped onto the Notre Dame Stadium field with a sense of purpose and excitement. The interactions with his new teammates showed that he was ready to embrace this new chapter in his football career.Just a few months later, on Friday night, he would make a similar stroll. But this time, it would be in a full uniform and in front of a sold-out crowd. This marked a significant milestone in his Notre Dame journey.

Turnaround and Performance

After a tough start to the season with a loss to Northern Illinois on Sept. 7, it seemed like all the planning might go to waste. But Notre Dame didn't give up. They won their past 10 games by an average of more than 30 points. Riley Leonard played a major role in this turnaround.After throwing two interceptions in the Northern Illinois game, he bounced back. He completed 67.5% of his passes (156 of 231 attempts) for 1,771 yards, 16 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also ran for 642 yards (6.3 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns. His performance was at a level that Notre Dame's coaches had hoped for a year ago when they recruited him to replace Sam Hartman.Unlike Hartman, who was primarily a drop-back passer, Leonard was a dual-threat. In 2022 at Duke, he ran for 699 yards (5.6 yards per attempt) and 13 touchdowns. His ability to both pass and run has been a key factor in Notre Dame's success.

Injury Struggles and Comeback

When Riley Leonard arrived at Notre Dame, he was coming off an injury-plagued 2023 season. He appeared in only seven games, completing 57.6% of his passes and running for 352 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. Soon after enrolling in January, he had an ankle surgery. He participated in two practices in the spring but then underwent another surgery on his right ankle in March.But when training camp began on July 31, he was back on the field and won the starting job. His experience and the investment made by Notre Dame to convince him to play for the school made this a formality. He was named a captain as well, showing the trust and confidence placed in him.After the Northern Illinois game, he wasn't his normal self. But with the support of his teammates and coaches, he transformed. He became one of the most valuable players in the nation, spearheading a Notre Dame offense that relies on the run.

Upcoming Game Against Indiana

Notre Dame and Indiana have identical 11-1 records and have the first- and third-highest scoring margins in the nation, respectively. But Indiana ranks first in the nation in allowing just 70.8 rushing yards per game. This will be a tough challenge for Notre Dame's running game.Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said that their plan is to find a way to run the football. Everything they do builds around this. But it will be difficult against Indiana.The Hoosiers will face a hostile crowd at Notre Dame Stadium. The CFP allotted Indiana 3,500 tickets in the 80,000-seat stadium, so it will mostly be Notre Dame fans in attendance.For Riley Leonard, playing in Friday's game justifies his decision to come to Notre Dame. The team isn't just content with making the playoff; they want to advance and play No. 2 seed Georgia in the quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. They haven't won a major postseason game since 1994, and they are hoping to end that drought."It's a really cool experience, and I'm trying not to take it for granted," Leonard said. "To make it to where we are now is kind of why I came to Notre Dame. I came here to compete, to make the college football playoff and compete for a national championship."