Almost two weeks after he announced he entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal, Fairhope alum Riley Leonard revealed his commitment to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in his final year of eligibility.

After he wrote a 600-word thank you letter to his Duke family, Leonard posted a video on social media of him touring the Notre Dame campus and football stadium with the caption, “A dream come true. Go Irish.”

The former Pirate quarterback will be coming off a three-year career with the Duke Blue Devils where he suffered an ankle injury in a Sept. 30 matchup against Notre Dame which limited him down the stretch of his junior campaign.

Still, Leonard brings 5,674 total yards and 43 touchdowns to one of the most storied college football programs in the country. The No. 16 Fighting Irish are set to take on No. 19 Oregon State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Dec. 29.

It will mark Notre Dame’s second straight one-year transfer at quarterback after Sam Hartman transferred from another ACC school, Wake Forest, to call the signals through a 9-3 season this year.

When the Fighting Irish and College GameDay visited Duke in Week 5, Hartman cut his postgame interview short to make sure he could check on Leonard before the latter exited the field from his ankle injury on the final drive.

Thoughts and prayers going out to @rileyleonard13_ after a tough ending to a great battle with Notre Dame. Big ups to Irish QB Sam Hartman for checking on Leonard before exiting the field as well, the pair had a shootout last year also. #ALHSFB pic.twitter.com/SJJYRJmhcu

— Gulf Coast Media Sports (@GCMSportsAL) October 1, 2023

Now, it will be Leonard taking over for Hartman next season after the latter opted out of this year’s postseason bowl game.

Under offensive coordinator Gerad Parker this season, Notre Dame had the 49th-ranked passing offense among FBS programs with 2,973 yards on 212-of-332 passing and 28 touchdowns against 9 interceptions. With 5,151 total yards, the Fighting Irish were ranked No. 29 in total offense with an average of 6.95 yards per play.

Individually, Hartman ranked 16th in passing efficiency with 2,689 yards on 191-of-301 passing and 24 touchdowns for a passing efficiency rating of 159.49.