The Duke Blue Devils and potential first-round NFL Draft pick Riley Leonard shocked the college football landscape with a 28-7 win over the Clemson Tigers, and Leonard is using that to his advantage against one of his professors.
While quarterbacking the Blue Devils — passing for 175 yards and running eight times for 98 yards and a score — Leonard knew in the back of his mind that he was late on an assignment and needed an extension.
Following the massive win, Leonard spoke with ACC Digital Network and had a message for a professor Taylor.
"Professor Taylor, if you're seeing this, please let me turn in my homework late because it's due tonight," Leonard said on the field. "I think at 12, so it may already be 12."
Dear Professor Taylor,
Please excuse @rileyleonard13_, he was busy becoming a LEGEND! ?
Sincerely, @DukeFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/bOzb6GsXup
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 5, 2023
The 6-foot-4 signal-caller with a massive, 44-yard run may need to step it up in the classroom and with his time management. But he's nothing short of a sensation on the football field, especially against a rival like Clemson.
The Blue Devils were down 7-6 at halftime and scored 22 unanswered points over the rest of the game, including 15 in the fourth quarter.
In addition to asking his professor for more time, perhaps his mom could use this as another pre-game "motivational text" for him.
For those who don't know, Leonard's mom tries to get him fired up before games by texting, "You suck."
Riley Leonard?s mom texting him ?You Suck? before every game as motivation is awesome lol
— Jack Crosby (@JCrosbyCBS) September 5, 2023
Of course, it's all in good fun. But if she delivered that message before the Clemson game, it worked wonders.
After taking down one of the premier teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, it looks as if Leonard has some work to get done.
Doing a quick Google search, "Professor Taylor" could be Curtis R. Taylor, a professor of economics.
If that's the case, good luck to you, Riley, as you traverse that class and strive to be a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2024.
