Duke QB Riley Leonard helps NFL Draft stock with upset of Clemson

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, USC’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye will likely be the first and second quarterbacks off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

But after his star-making night in Monday’s 28-7 upset of No. 9 Clemson, Duke quarterback Riley Leonard may have established himself as the guy to beat for the rest of the season as the No. 3 QB behind Williams and Maye.

Prior to Monday’s win, Leonard was considered a top-50 2024 prospect. He was ranked 20th by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., 28th by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, 23rd by CBS Sports and 47th by Pro Football Focus.

Kiper Jr. had Leonard already listed as his No. 3 quarterback in next year’s draft, while Brugler had Leonard as his QB4 behind Williams, Maye and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.

“Leonard’s dual-threat ability is intriguing,” Kiper Jr. wrote. “…He’s a tough runner who can make defenders miss. As a passer, he has projectionable traits in an NFL frame (6-foot-4, 212 pounds). … It’s easy to see Leonard taking the next step in his development. While he still has things to iron out…there’s a lot to like about him as a prospect.”

Against Clemson, Leonard completed 17 of 33 passes for 175 yards, and he ran for 98 yards and a touchdown while leading Duke to its first win over a ranked opponent since 1989 when the Blue Devils upset No. 9-ranked Clemson.