Riley Leonard is back in a familiar place—in more ways than one.
The 6-foot-4, 216-pound quarterback now finds himself in a new locker room with the Indianapolis Colts after being selected in the sixth round of last month’s NFL Draft.
For many, this transition could be overwhelming. But for the former Notre Dame signal-caller, it’s just another step in a journey he's already been navigating.
“Luckily for me, I went from Duke to Notre Dame, which was a big step in college football,” Leonard stated. “Having a new locker room, I had to adjust to last year really helped me this time around.
“Fortunately, going to the National Championship, a lot of guys know me and my brand. I’ve always been the guy who didn’t have any offers, went to Duke, and I was probably their eighth quarterback they wanted. I was always the guy nobody knew, so it’s been cool for guys to reach out to me.”
Though his time at Notre Dame lasted just a year, Leonard credits the program with instilling values that will shape his NFL career.
“You learn how to be a professional from the day you walk into the locker room,” explained Leonard. “You don’t learn it through the X’s and O’s or the playbook. You learn it from the environment around you. If i went into Notre Dame’s facility at like 10pm, there are guys in there constantly working because they’re all trying to make it to the NFL and win a National Championship. That is our goal as a program. Everybody is in there for the same purpose, rhythm and reason.
“I think Notre Dame teaches you the intangibles that just set you up perfectly for the next level.”
Notre Dame might hold the title for the most NFL Draft picks, but Leonard is quick to point out the university isn’t a football factory.
There is one key difference between Notre Dame (and Duke) and other programs, and that’s going to class.
And Leonard is glad to have those days behind him for now.
“It’s awesome,” Leonard said of not having to worry about going to class in the NFL. “Going to Duke and Notre Dame, the days are just crazy. I know people think that you’re an athlete and they’re paying you to be an athlete, well, apparently, some schools haven’t picked up on that yet.
“We’re going to every class and that’s a good thing. Recruits might not want to hear that, but parents send your kids to those two schools and they’ll be just fine.”
Leonard wasn’t a graduate transfer into Notre Dame, which means many of his credits from Duke didn’t transfer with him, so classes might not be completely done for him. But for now, Leonard is focused on learning the Colts playbook.
“At Duke, I was studying public policy and marketing/management studies, which I grinded,” Leonard stated. “I was in the library late at night. I transferred to Notre Dame and unfortunately, not a lot of my credits transferred with me, but my theatre credit did. I did a little theatre at Notre Dame, which I’m very proud of.”
The opportunity to be in theatre also provides Leonard with some lasting memories.
“I played King Henry and Richard III in a Shakespearean play,” laughed Leonard. “I’m kind of known for my Bobby Boucher accent around there. Water Boy. That’s my go-to. I did some other stuff like The Hangover and 22 Jump Street.”
Leonard also noticed the Notre Dame bump when meeting with NFL teams. It wasn’t just about his stats or talent on the field, but it was also about his character.
“I think you see throughout the draft process, these coaches who are Notre Dame and Duke guys,” said Leonard. “There’s a different type of person who goes to those schools - a character that stands out to everybody.”
Leonard will have some familiar faces around him in Indianapolis, but the priority during the summer will be building a connection with rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who was drafted in the first round.
“Tyler Warren, you strap up the pads and that’s another version of the dude,” stated Leonard. “Some guys are football players and he’s definitely one of them. You can tell when he gets his hand in the dirt and straps it up. I’m excited to see it.
“I saw it in person when we played them in the playoffs and it was fun to watch - kind of.”
And yes, Leonard made sure to let Warren know who got the last laugh in the Orange Bowl.
“That was the first thing I said,” laughed Leonard. “I didn’t talk to JT (Tuimoloau) about the Natty, but I went straight up to Tyler Warren, that’s for sure. He probably had 150 yards on us at the same time. He’s a stud.”
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