Time has a funny way of shifting perspectives. One moment, a player is the target of armchair quarterbacks dissecting his every throw, and the next, he’s revered as the heart and soul of a program. That’s exactly what happened to Riley Leonard. Notre Dame’s quarterback took his fair share of criticism during the College Football Playoff run. But after one gut-wrenching loss and a season-ending revelation, the Fighting Irish faithful saw him in a whole new light.

Leonard’s final game in a Notre Dame uniform was a war of attrition. The 6’3”, 210-pound signal-caller battled through a brutal 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the CFP, absorbing punishing hits from a Buckeyes defense that didn’t hold back. “I’m still sore. Those dudes could hit hard,” Leonard admitted to NFL Network, revealing the toll the game took on him. Despite entering as 8.5-point underdogs, Riley Leonard gave everything he had—completing 22 of 31 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns while adding 40 yards and a rushing score on the ground. But it wasn’t enough.

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman later conceded the game plan put too much weight on Leonard’s shoulders, particularly in the early going. “We couldn’t run Riley every play. It’s not right for Riley and it’s not going to sustain the success we needed offensively,” Freeman acknowledged.

But by the time adjustments were made, the damage was done. Riley Leonard had already taken a beating, even “vomiting” on the sideline at one point—an image that became emblematic of just how much he was sacrificing for his team.

He played through it, shrugged it off, and kept competing. That kind of warrior mentality doesn’t go unnoticed, even if it took some time for Irish fans to fully appreciate it.

In the aftermath, discussions about Notre Dame’s future at quarterback heated up, with some calling for CJ Carr to take the reins. The 4-star freshman missed the entire 2024 season due to an elbow injury but has since reported that he’s “95%” recovered. With Riley Leonard declaring for the NFL Draft, Carr will have every opportunity to prove himself in 2025. But the way some fans dismissed Leonard in the immediate aftermath of the CFP loss now feels reactionary—especially when considering the unique challenges he faced behind a makeshift offensive line that struggled to protect him.

The first-round pick hopeful had a heart-to-heart with 247Sports when he was seen “vomiting” by the ESPN reporter in the championship game. “That drive you know obviously didn’t feel too great on my body, but I didn’t really feel it too much. I had a lot of time to recover on the sideline after that one, but I was definitely a little hurt out there,” he described. Even with the physical toll, Leonard never backed down from the grind.

At the Senior Bowl, he showed exactly why he’s built for the next level, brushing off concerns about the grueling NFL schedule. “Everybody talks about the long season in the NFL, but sign me up,” he said. “I want to play as many games as possible.” He knows that Notre Dame’s playoff defeat likely cost him a few spots on draft boards, but his mentality and toughness earned him respect where it matters most.

That shift in perception is now playing out among the fanbase. A recent Reddit post from the Notre Dame community saw fans reversing course on their earlier critiques, giving Leonard his flowers for what he brought to South Bend.

How the turn tables, Riley Leonard got his long-due flowers

The conversation took off with a user of the ND community page put it plainly: “Riley Leonard gave us the best season in the 2000’s. Sure he had maybe the best overall team to accompany him, but still. He gave everything. All this comparison stuff and desire for a different style QB or different game plan just sounds tone deaf after maybe not the result we wanted in the ship. I believe this team was better than the 2012 squad that went against Alabama, Kizer and his receiving core, Book, Clausen, etc. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to run the wheels off this season ☘️” This was a player who put his body on the line for the team, and for some fans, that now outweighs any debate over scheme or quarterback preference.

Only after him, others chimed in, drawing parallels to one of college football’s greatest players. “He was our Tim Tebow and I am grateful for the year he gave us.”. The Gators legend, was also recently called the “greatest CFB player ever” by Dan Mullen. Tim Tebow was defined by his passion, leadership, and ability to rally a team even in the toughest moments. Leonard’s resilience—especially in the face of relentless hits and adversity—mirrors that kind of heart-over-hype legacy.

The discussion also turned tactical, with one fan pointing out just how crucial Leonard’s mobility was: “With our makeshift OL, a less mobile, pocket-type QB would have been a disaster. Thankful we had him.” Notre Dame’s offensive line, though talented, wasn’t the iron wall the program has boasted in past years. Leonard’s ability to extend plays and escape pressure often prevented sacks or broken plays from derailing drives entirely. The Irish offense could have been in far worse shape without that element.

The final wave of responses encapsulated what many fans had realized over time. “He was ready to die on the field for a W.” That level of commitment is something fans admire, even if it took them a moment to fully embrace it. Another fan summed it up: “I agree, there was far too much Leonard slander. Love that kid and he played great for us. I’ll miss him next year!”

And just like that, the narrative flipped.