meteorologist

Written by Brian Murphy, meteorologist at WRAL.

Duke’s quarterback, Riley Leonard, revealed on social media that he will be departing from the Blue Devils’ team.

Earlier this week, Coach Mike Elko departed from Duke to join Texas A&M. Multiple national sources have stated that Leonard will be entering the transfer portal, although he did not reveal his intentions in his post. Leonard recently completed his third year at Duke in 2023.

At the conclusion of a lengthy post on Instagram, Leonard expressed his hope to improve this place before leaving.

In the 2022 season, Leonard had a successful performance as the Blue Devils achieved a record of 9-4. He passed for 2,967 yards and scored 20 touchdowns, while also rushing for 699 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. He played a key role in leading the team to an unexpected victory over Clemson in the 2023 season opener. However, his season and the team’s progress were hindered when he suffered an ankle injury in the last moments of their defeat against Notre Dame.

In the 2023 season, Leonard recorded a total of 1,102 passing yards and 352 rushing yards in seven games. However, he struggled with injuries during losses against Florida State and Louisville and ultimately had to sit out due to a toe injury.

Leonard stated on social media that he selected Duke University because he desired to be surrounded by individuals who excel in their respective fields. He understood that this would mean he would not be the most intelligent person in the room and that he would have to consistently push himself and strive to be the best. He has now made the tough choice to depart, confident that he has gained valuable skills for future obstacles.

After Leonard’s absence, Duke utilized Henry Belin IV and Grayson Loftis as their quarterbacks. The Blue Devils (7-5) are now eligible for a bowl game.

On Wednesday, ex-Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson announced his commitment to UNC.

Source: wralsportsfan.com