Riley Leonard: ‘I’m watching Jayden Daniels film all day’

Notre Dame is going to have a new-look offense in 2024 that will be led by Riley Leonard at quarterback and Mike Denbrock at offensive coordinator.

Leonard was one of the quarterbacks who attended the Manning Passing Academy. While there, he spoke with the media to share that he’s been watching film on former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels all day long to prepare for next season.

“I think the proof is in the pudding with Jayden Daniels,” Riley Leonard said. “Obviously, he’s probably a little bit faster than me but — probably a lot of bit faster than me — but I can still make those reads, make those throws that he was making. The checks as well. So, I think for Denbrock, I’m just watching Jayden Daniels film all day, is what I do.”

The connection to watching film on Daniels makes plenty of sense. After all, last season Denbrock was his offensive coordinator at LSU. There, the Tigers had one of the best offenses in the country and Daniels won the Heisman Trophy before becoming the second overall pick in the NFL Draft.

LSU finished the 2023 season first in total offense and in scoring offense, averaging 543.5 yards per game and 45.5 points per game, respectively. For his part, Jayden Daniels powered that offense with 3,812 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns. He also ran for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“So, just being able to replicate him, I think I can do, and obviously he had a good year,” Leonard concluded.

There are some similarities between Riley Leonard and Jayden Daniels as players. In particular, as Leonard pointed out, both are capable runners. In 27 career games, Leonard has rushed for 1,224 yards and 19 touchdowns, though he is battling back from an ankle injury.

Mike Denbrock is returning to Notre Dame thanks to his own connections. It’s his third stint in South Bend under his third different head coach. He also worked alongside current Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman when the two were assistants at Cincinnati.

Riley Leonard shares the state of his relationship with Mike Denbrock

Riley Leonard and Mike Denbrock are working together for the first time, which makes it even more important the two have a strong relationship.

“He’s a great guy. We relate in a lot of the ways that we operate off the field. Great golfer. Likes to fish, be around the family. We have very similar values,” Leonard said.