Notre Dame Announces Starting Quarterback Ahead Of Season Opener With Texas AM

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are looking to take the next step under Marcus Freeman, who went 10-3 after beating the Oregon State Beavers in the Sun Bowl last season. The Fighting Irish have claimed 13 national championships in their program's history, the fourth-most in college football. The Princeton Tigers (15), Alabama Crimson Tide (16), and Yale Bulldogs (18) are the only programs with more.

Freeman coached the likes of Sam Hartman last season. Hartman transferred to Notre Dame from the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Hartman had 2,689 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in his one season with the Fighting Irish.

Another quarterback transfer will lead Notre Dame this season. At a Saturday press conference, Freeman announced that Duke Blue Devils transfer Riley Leonard will be the starting quarterback. According to Tyler Horka of On3, Freeman revealed that Leonard was working with the starters at fall camp.

"Yeah, he's been with the ones." Freeman said.

Leonard was a former four-star QB in the 2021 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. The former Duke QB had 4,450 passing yards and 24 touchdowns from 2021-23 with the Blue Devils. Last season, Leonard suffered a leg injury against Notre Dame and played in seven games for Duke.

Freeman has led Notre Dame to a bowl game in all three of his seasons in charge. In addition to last season's Sun Bowl win, Freeman took Notre Dame to the Gator Bowl in 2022 and the Fiesta Bowl in 2021.

Notre Dame opens the 2024 season against the Texas A&M Aggies on Aug. 31. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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