riley leonard nabbed by colts in sixth round of nfl draft
Quarterback Riley Leonard was selected in the sixth round with the 189th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. Leonard is the ninth Notre Dame player all-time to be drafted to Indianapolis and the first since Quenton Nelson in 2018.
Leonard was the piece missing for Marcus Freeman and his Fighting Irish as they endured early season adversity and eventually making an impressive run to a CFP National Title game appearance. During that process, Leonard experience his own personal adversity as he worked feverishly to become acclimated to the requirements of playing quarterback in offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock\s offense. He would be named the Offensive MVP of the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl along the way, and was a semifinalist for the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year award.
Leonard spent one season with the Irish after transferring from Duke University and was named a team captain despite missing the spring as he rehabbed an injured foot. In 16 games, he completed 269 passes for 2,861 yards and 21 touchdowns, in addition to 184 rushing attempts for 906 yards and 17 touchdowns. Leonard finished responsible for 230 points in 2024, ranking second on the all-time Notre Dame single season list only behind Brady Quinn. Leonard’s 906 rushing yards this season surpassed Tony Rice’s school-record for a single-season quarterback rushing yards of 884 from 1989.
At the end of the 2024 season, Leonard ranked second among all active FBS quarterbacks in career rushing touchdowns with 36. His 17 rushing touchdowns in 2024 broke Brandon Wimbush’s (14) Notre Dame single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. Leonard’s 17 rushing touchdowns this season ranked 12th in the nation among all FBS players and tied for fifth among all quarterbacks.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard glowingly about his new quarterback as he met with the media, emphasizing his potential and leadership qualities. Ballard and the Colts see Leonard as a player who can compete and potentially develop into a starting quarterback, while also providing valuable depth and competition to the quarterback room alongside Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.
