SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football senior quarterback Riley Leonard has been so busy with football, he might have to wait a little longer to complete work toward his bachelor’s degree.
“It was tough for me,” Leonard said at Tuesday’s Orange Bowl media day ahead of Thursday’s College Football Playoff semifinal against Penn State. “When I transferred (from Duke) as an undergrad after my junior year, a lot of my credits didn’t transfer. I don’t even know where I’m at right now.”
Leonard, 22, majored in public policy at Duke with a minor in markets and management studies. When asked how the situation could be resolved, he sounded unsure.
“It’s kind of confusing,” said Leonard, whose eligibility will expire after the CFP. “I’m just a little behind, still, which is crazy.”
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Former Northwestern safety Brandon Joseph, who transferred to Notre Dame in January of 2022, experienced similar difficulties in switching his major from Learning and Organizational Change to sociology.
Joseph, who went undrafted in 2023 with two years of remaining eligibility, was arrested on Dec. 21 for suspicion of operating under the influence. The NFL’s Detroit Lions released him hours later.
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Former Clemson wideout Beaux Collins and former Northwestern defensive back Rod Heard II had to wait until last June to enroll at Notre Dame as graduate transfers. They were allowed to observe spring practices in street clothes but could not participate or conduct media interviews as they finished up their academic requirements remotely.
Northwestern is on the quarter system while Notre Dame and Duke employ the more widely used semester system.
Leonard’s great-grandfather, James E. Curran, played football for Notre Dame and graduated with the Class of 1940.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
