Charlie Partridge looking to turn up the pressure
The impact of new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge was on display as several Irish defensive linemen met with the assembled media after their seventh practice. Before they walked to the podium, their new leader shared his thoughts on how he’s re-shaping how the front four has been challenged to focus on consistently pass rushing collectively. .
Last season, the Irish sacked opposing quarterbacks 43 times and hurried them 210 times, but they were key moments in games where they allowed open lanes for players like Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed to scramble for first downs. Partridge has set the tone for his position room by setting a focus for each day.
“We're leaning in on pass rush lanes. I know Coach Freeman talked about that the other day with the media group.”
“That's something we've put a big emphasis on while still pass rushing aggressively, pass rushing together as a unit. Because so many times, if you don't pay attention to that, you may have somebody have a great rush and win on one side, but if you're not in good lanes on the other, it was for naught. So we put a big focus on that, and today's focus, like I said, was aggressively attacking our keys in the run.”
As he learns his athletes, Partridge has been able to lean on the familiarity he has with defensive coordinator Chris Ash to help with his transition. The relationship is built on mutual respect with an understanding that disagreement is not about personal feelings. They haven’t worked together since 2013, when they were both on the Arkansas Razorback staff. However, they’ve always been in contact with one another, including last season when he was a defensive line coach in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts.
“It's kind of what I said when I got here, guys. I mean, me and Chris, our background goes so much. We've been through so much together in the football world that we can argue or discuss things that maybe we don't see the same way, and there's no feelings. You don't have to worry about hurting each other's feelings. Even if we get to a point where we're maybe arguing about something, it's all about getting together and getting on the same page, and then it's very, very healthy. He hasn't let me down one bit.”
“It's been a while since we've worked together. Last time we were together was Arkansas in 2013. Yeah, it was 2013, so it's been a while, but we talk all the time, and he's exactly what I knew he would be.”
With returning edge rushers like Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young, and the additions of defensive tackle transfers Francis Brewu and Tionne Gray. the Fighting Irish are working hard during spring practices to have four pass rushing threats that should lead to a more disciplined and consistent rush for opposing offenses. The linebacking corp added 13.5 sacks last season, but that number could decrease if the plans being laid by Partridge and his players continue to manifest through the rest of spring and fall camps into the regular season.
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.