Riley Leonard, the quarterback for Notre Dame, is brutally honest about Ohio State’s defense.

In the world of college football, few things are more intriguing than a quarterback’s candid analysis of an opponent’s defense. Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard, known for his leadership and poise on the field, recently made waves with his blunt assessment of Ohio State’s defense. Leonard, who has become one of the most promising quarterbacks in the country, didn’t mince words when it came to critiquing the Buckeyes’ defensive unit, raising eyebrows with his brutally honest opinions.

While the rivalry between Ohio State and Notre Dame has not always been a heated one, their matchups have always been filled with tension, passion, and high stakes. As the two powerhouse programs continue to build their legacies in college football, players and coaches often use these games as a barometer for their own growth. Riley Leonard’s recent comments about Ohio State’s defense, while not necessarily disrespectful, have certainly ignited conversations and debates about the Buckeyes’ defense, its weaknesses, and how Leonard and his Notre Dame teammates might be able to exploit them.

This article will break down Riley Leonard’s assessment of Ohio State’s defense, what makes his opinions noteworthy, and how they align with the strengths and weaknesses of the Buckeyes’ defense. We’ll also explore how Leonard’s views may affect the dynamic of future matchups between the two teams, and what his comments say about the growing competitiveness in college football.

Riley Leonard: A Brief Overview of His Career

Before diving into Leonard’s critique of Ohio State’s defense, it’s important to understand who he is and what makes his opinion valuable. Riley Leonard is a junior quarterback for Notre Dame, and his development over the past few seasons has been nothing short of impressive. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 215 pounds, Leonard combines the physical attributes of a traditional pocket passer with the mobility and playmaking ability of a dual-threat quarterback. This rare blend of skills has allowed him to become one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the nation.

Leonard’s rise to prominence came during his sophomore season when he stepped in as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback. Under his leadership, the Fighting Irish showed a dynamic offensive attack, with Leonard throwing for over 3,000 yards and rushing for an additional 500 yards. His ability to read defenses, make quick decisions, and extend plays with his legs has made him a difficult quarterback to defend. Leonard’s strong arm and quick release have also allowed him to connect with a variety of receivers downfield, making him a versatile weapon for the Fighting Irish.

As a player who faces top-tier defenses every week in the competitive ACC, Leonard has developed a keen understanding of defensive schemes and strategies. His ability to break down defenses, coupled with his experience against elite units, gives him a unique perspective when discussing opposing defenses, including Ohio State’s.

Riley Leonard’s Honest Assessment of Ohio State’s Defense

Riley Leonard’s comments on Ohio State’s defense came after Notre Dame’s challenging 2024 matchup against the Buckeyes. The game was highly anticipated, as it marked an opportunity for Notre Dame to prove itself against one of the top teams in the country. Despite a valiant effort, Notre Dame fell short against Ohio State, but Leonard’s performance and subsequent analysis of the Buckeyes’ defense raised eyebrows.

In his post-game interview, Leonard did not shy away from offering a critical evaluation of Ohio State’s defense. He began by acknowledging the talent of the Buckeyes’ defensive players, particularly the defensive line and secondary. However, Leonard was quick to point out what he saw as glaring weaknesses in Ohio State’s defensive approach. Specifically, he highlighted the team’s struggles in coverage against mobile quarterbacks and their inconsistent ability to apply pressure on the quarterback, particularly in key moments.

1. Ohio State’s Defensive Line and Pass Rush: Pressure and Consistency Issues

Ohio State has long been known for its ferocious defensive line, featuring some of the most talented pass rushers in the country. Players like J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer have generated significant attention for their ability to disrupt opposing offenses and get to the quarterback. However, Leonard noted that while Ohio State’s defensive line can be dangerous, there are times when the pressure isn’t consistent enough to rattle quarterbacks.

“There were moments in the game where I had time in the pocket, and that’s something you don’t always expect against Ohio State,” Leonard said in his interview. “I’ve faced defenses that bring relentless pressure, but Ohio State wasn’t as consistent in that area as I thought they would be.”

Leonard’s comments are significant because they reflect a broader trend in Ohio State’s defensive play. The Buckeyes’ pass rush, while still potent, has sometimes struggled to create pressure in key situations, especially against quarterbacks who can move within the pocket and extend plays. Leonard’s ability to evade the rush and keep plays alive allowed Notre Dame to execute offensive schemes that neutralized the Buckeyes’ defensive line at times. This aspect of Ohio State’s defense has been a point of discussion for analysts, who have pointed out that while their pass rush can be effective, it isn’t always consistent enough to disrupt opposing quarterbacks.

2. Ohio State’s Vulnerability to Mobile Quarterbacks

One of the most compelling parts of Leonard’s critique was his observation about Ohio State’s defense’s vulnerability to mobile quarterbacks. In today’s college football landscape, mobile quarterbacks have become a significant threat to traditional defensive units, and Leonard is a prime example of that. His ability to run and throw on the move poses challenges for any defense, and Leonard believes that Ohio State’s defense is not as adept at defending against dual-threat quarterbacks as some of their counterparts.

“There were times in the game when I was able to make plays with my legs, and I think Ohio State didn’t do a great job of containing me,” Leonard explained. “They’re a good defense, but when you face a quarterback who can break the pocket and make plays outside of the structure of the offense, it’s a whole different challenge.”

Ohio State has been known for its physical, aggressive style of play, but Leonard’s comments suggest that their defensive backs and linebackers may not be as equipped to contain mobile quarterbacks as they are against traditional pocket passers. Defenses that struggle to contain running quarterbacks often allow big plays to develop, as the quarterback has the option to scramble for yards or extend plays long enough to find open receivers downfield. Leonard’s ability to exploit these weaknesses speaks to the growing trend in college football, where dual-threat quarterbacks are becoming a major weapon against top-tier defenses.

3. Secondary Coverage and Communication Breakdowns

Another aspect of Ohio State’s defense that Leonard pointed out was their secondary. While the Buckeyes boast a talented group of defensive backs, including star cornerback Denzel Burke, Leonard suggested that there were moments when coverage breakdowns allowed Notre Dame’s receivers to get open in key situations. He explained that there were times when miscommunications or missed assignments left receivers open in the secondary, especially on critical third downs.

“Ohio State has the athletes in the secondary, but there were times when they weren’t all on the same page,” Leonard observed. “In high-pressure moments, those breakdowns can be costly, and we were able to take advantage of that.”

While Ohio State’s secondary has been one of the strengths of their defense in recent years, Leonard’s comments underscore that even elite defenses can have lapses in coverage. Miscommunication among defensive backs or blown assignments can lead to big plays, especially against an offense with capable playmakers like Notre Dame. Leonard’s ability to exploit these gaps highlights his awareness and his ability to capitalize on defensive mistakes.

4. The Overall Defensive Scheme: Aggression vs. Caution

One final aspect of Leonard’s critique centered around Ohio State’s defensive scheme. Leonard noted that while the Buckeyes are aggressive in their pursuit of the quarterback and their overall defensive philosophy, there were moments when their aggression worked against them. In certain situations, Leonard felt that Ohio State’s defense was overly aggressive, leaving open spaces for Notre Dame’s offense to exploit.

“Ohio State likes to send pressure and be aggressive, but sometimes that leaves holes in the defense that teams can exploit,” Leonard said. “When they’re too aggressive, they can open up lanes in the running game or in coverage, and that’s something we were able to take advantage of.”

Leonard’s comments suggest that Ohio State’s defense, while effective at times, can be vulnerable when their aggressiveness is not tempered with caution. Defenses that are overly aggressive may leave themselves open to big plays, and Leonard’s ability to recognize these moments allowed him to navigate Ohio State’s defense with poise.

The Fallout: Ohio State’s Response

Ohio State’s response to Leonard’s critique was measured, as expected from a program with a rich football tradition. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles addressed Leonard’s comments in a press conference, acknowledging that the Buckeyes’ defense had room for improvement, but also emphasizing that the team would not overreact to one quarterback’s opinion.

“We appreciate the respect for our defense, but we know there are areas where we can improve,” Knowles said. “We’ll continue to work on our pass rush, our containment of dual-threat quarterbacks, and our communication in the secondary. Every quarterback has strengths, and we’ll take a look at what worked for Riley and adjust accordingly.”

Ohio State’s defense has been one of the top units in college football for years, but Leonard’s honest assessment serves as a reminder that even the best defenses have weaknesses. The Buckeyes’ coaching staff will likely use Leonard’s analysis as a point of focus for future games, especially in preparation for matchups against mobile quarterbacks and high-powered offenses.

 Riley Leonard’s Bold Assessment

Riley Leonard’s brutally honest evaluation of Ohio State’s defense offers valuable insight into how opposing quarterbacks view the Buckeyes’ defense. His analysis highlights key areas where Ohio State has the potential for improvement, especially in containing mobile quarterbacks, maintaining consistent pass rush pressure, and minimizing coverage breakdowns. While Leonard’s comments may have ruffled some feathers in Columbus, they also serve as a valuable learning tool for both Ohio State and future teams that will face the Buckeyes.

For Leonard and Notre Dame, the challenge of facing elite defenses like Ohio State’s will continue to push them to grow and improve. And for the Buckeyes, Leonard’s critique will likely be a focal point in their efforts to continue their dominance in college football. As the rivalry between these two programs evolves, it’s clear that both teams will need to refine their strategies to stay competitive in the ever-changing landscape of college football.