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Colin Cowherd Hints At Historic College Football Program Landing An Elite Transfer QB

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Dec 29, 2024 3:38 PM ET

As No. 7 Notre Dame (12-1) prepares to face No. 2 Georgia (11-2) in the College Football Playoff, Colin Cowherd hinted at a potential replacement for Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard in 2025.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound passer has thrown for 2,293 yards with 17 touchdowns to six interceptions while adding another 751 yards and 15 scores on the ground. He helped lead the Irish to an 11-win regular season and a CFP victory over No. 10 Indiana in the first round.

Head coach Marcus Freeman and Co. are likely focused on the task at hand for the time being, but the Notre Dame offense is expected to look different next season with Leonard out of eligibility.

The Irish have turned to the transfer portal at the position before with Leonard transferring from Duke before his senior season. Similarly, Sam Hartman took the keys in 2023 after transferring from Wake Forest.

According to Cowherd, the Irish may use the portal for Leonard's replacement, and it wouldn't be a surprise for them to land a "well-known" starter.

"Riley Leonard's going to the pros, you know," he said on "The Colin Cowherd Podcast. "There's rumors that they may be in the portal for a quarterback at the college level that many of you have seen play for a big program. So I won't give that away yet but don't be surprised if a very, very well-known college quarterback transfers to Notre Dame."

The question will be how the Notre Dame staff feels about the options that are set to return in 2025, and if a transfer addition would provide a better replacement for Leonard.

Junior backup Steve Angeli, a former three-star, has received the second-most snaps at the position behind Leonard in 2024, making nine appearances with 224 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Redshirt freshman Kenny Minchey made one appearance this season. He was rated as a four-star and the No. 14 quarterback in the Class of 2023 (247Sports Composite).

But preparations for the 2025 season will have to wait as the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal matchup is approaching quickly. Notre Dame-Georgia is slated for 8:45 p.m. ET on New Year's Day.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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