Duke QB Riley Leonard leaving Blue Devils

By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Duke quarterback Riley Leonard will leave the Blue Devils program, he announced on social media.

Coach Mike Elko left Duke for Texas A&M earlier this week. Several national outlets are reporting that that Leonard will enter the transfer portal, though he did not indicate his future plans in the post. Leonard finished his third season at Duke in 2023.

"I hope I leave this place better than I found it," Leonard said at the end of a lengthy post on Instagram.

Leonard enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 when the Blue Devils went 9-4. He threw for 2,967 yards and 20 touchdowns and added 699 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing. He led the Blue Devils to an upset of Clemson in the 2023 season opener. But he injured his ankle in the final seconds of Duke's loss to Notre Dame, derailing his season and the team's.

Leonard finished with 1,102 yards passing and 352 yards rushing in seven games in 2023. He was clearly hobbled in losses to Florida State and Louisville before being ruled out with a reported toe injury.

"I chose Duke because I wanted a school where I could be around those who are the best at what they do," Leonard wrote on social media. "I knew that meant I wouldn't be the smartest guy in the room, that every day I'd need to push myself and compete the best I could. And that's what I did. As a result I've made the difficult decision to leave knowing I'm better prepared for the challenges ahead."

With Leonard out, Duke played Henry Belin IV and Grayson Loftis at quarterback. The Blue Devils (7-5) are bowl eligible.

Former Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson committed to UNC on Wednesday.