When Riley Leonard transferred from Duke to Notre Dame for his final year of college eligibility, the quarterback said it was a dream come true. Even though he was from Alabama, Leonard had grown up a Notre Dame fan thanks to the movie "Rudy" and his great-grandfather, James E. Curran, who played for the Fighting Irish in 1940.
Decades later, Leonard quickly endeared himself to Notre Dame fans as he led the Irish to a 14-2 overall record, the national championship game and set the Notre Dame single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (17) while garnering praise for his leadership and other intangibles. Indiana quickly became home for the young quarterback, and when Leonard's college career came to a close and with the 2025 NFL Draft appeared on the horizon, he knew where he wanted to end up.
There was a reason why, every time the Colts came on the clock on Saturday, the Leonard household went quiet.
There was a reason why he had a Colts ballcap and shirt at the ready. There was a reason he shouted "C'mon!" with a grin as he prepared to talk to the media.
Another dream had just come true.
"There's no place I'd rather be than back in Indianapolis," Leonard said Saturday after the Colts selected him in the sixth round. "Even when I was at the combine in Indianapolis, it kind of just felt like home."
Home isn't just about the location, though. It's about the people – and Leonard's got his people.
He's already built up a relationship with head coach Shane Steichen, who made the trip up to South Bend for Notre Dame's Pro Day. He's friendly with Daniel Jones; the two both attended Duke (Leonard from 2021-23, Jones from 2015-18) and went out to eat together a few weeks before the draft when Jones traveled to Alabama to train with David Morris, who Leonard also trains with.
Not even 30 minutes after being drafted, Leonard had already received a phone call from Jones – and a text from Anthony Richardson.
But perhaps the best connection Leonard has to the Colts is Philip Rivers. The two are both from Fairhope, Ala., where Rivers – who played for the Colts in 2020 – currently coaches the St. Michael Catholic High School football team, and Leonard is constantly trying to learn whatever he can from the 17-year veteran quarterback. So, when Leonard went to throw with Rivers in his a few days before the draft, it was an exercise in relaxation and education all at once.
"I think probably the biggest thing that I learned was just how intentional he is about every little thing," Leonard said. "Like, if we're doing the warmup and we're taking five step drops, those five step drops have to be pristine in order for them to be good enough for him."
Leonard's connection with Rivers went both ways, thereby leading to the Colts taking an interest in the young quarterback back when he was still playing for Duke. Four years later, it appears both parties know what they're going to get from the other.
"I think a couple things that they enjoyed was, number one, my ability to extend plays and make plays as a playmaker," Leonard said when asked about what the Colts told him they liked about his game. "I think they liked my preparation and the way that I handle things off the field. I think the intangibles are something that I can take advantage of and help the quarterback room in whatever way possible."
Among those intangibles are Leonard's competitiveness and his work ethic, as well as his ability to recognize he still has a lot to improve upon. The Colts know they can trust him to show up, put in the work and compete, and Leonard knows he can meet those expectations.
"The only place I ever wanted to be was in Indianapolis," Leonard said. "It didn't matter the round. I just wanted be in the building."
