Former Duke QB Riley Leonard’s GF makes her stance clear on Notre Dame transfer decision - “I like it here”

Riley Leonard’s 2023 season with the Duke Blue Devils was filled with setbacks. The quarterback missed at least five games due to injuries and decided to move on. He chose the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for 2024 and received a big boost from his girlfriend, Molly Walding, regarding his decision to play in South Bend.

Walding shared a photo with her boyfriend at Notre Dame on Instagram and captioned it:

“I like it here."

Screenshot from Instagram

Walding has been with Leonard since their high school days, and the couple recently celebrated their sixth anniversary together.

Notre Dame secured two quarterbacks in the transfer portal this year, Leonard and CJ Carr. Head coach Marcus Freeman has publicly admired Leonard's qualities, especially his teamwork and leadership qualities that the Fighting Irish need from their signal caller.

"He's a complete quarterback. In short yardage situations, the ability to put his shoulder down and say 'I’m not going to be denied.' But then, in the passing game, he can make every single throw,” Freeman said about the quarterback.

A look at Riley Leonard's 2023 season with Duke

Riley Leonard struggled with an ankle injury that kept him out of the field for an extended period. He played seven regular-season games for the Blue Devils, throwing for just 1,102 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw three picks.

Duke won four of the seven games in which the quarterback appeared. Without Leonard, the squad finished the season 7-5 and won the Birmingham Bowl.