Eventually, Indianapolis Colts rookie Riley Leonard could be the NFL’s best Notre Dame quarterback since Joe Montana. Leonard has yet to play a regular-season game. However, he has the potential to have a great career.
Leonard played his first three collegiate seasons at Duke. He then transferred to Notre Dame. Leonard threw for 2,861 yards and 21 touchdowns last year. He also rushed for a whopping 906 yards and 17 scores. More importantly, he powered Notre Dame to 14 wins and an appearance in the National Championship Game.
The Colts later selected Leonard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. It remains to be seen what type of career he’ll have.
Can the Colts’ Riley Leonard Become the Greatest Notre Dame Quarterback Since Joe Montana?
Jalon Walker Draft
Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) passes the ball as Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker (11) defends during the first quarter at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Looking Back at Joe Montana’s Career
Joe Montana was a starter for two seasons at Notre Dame. He threw for 4,121 yards and 25 touchdowns and led the school to a national championship in 1977. During the famous “Chicken Soup Game,” Montana led the Fighting Irish from a 22-point third-quarter deficit to a win in the 1979 Cotton Bowl despite suffering from hypothermia.
The San Francisco 49ers selected Montana in the third round of the 1979 draft. He went on to have a legendary career. With the 49ers, he won four Super Bowls, three Super Bowl MVPs, and two NFL MVPs. The eight-time Pro Bowler also led the league in passing touchdowns twice and completion percentage five times.
Montana spent his final two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. During the 1993 season, he led the team to its first-ever AFC Championship Game.
Most fans and experts believe Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback in NFL history. Yet, many people feel that Montana is the G.O.A.T.
Notable Notre Dame QBs Drafted After Montana
Before Montana entered the league, there were a couple of Notre Dame quarterbacks (Daryle Lamonica and Joe Theismann) who had successful professional careers. But there weren’t many after Montana was drafted.
Steve Beuerlein was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders (fourth round) in 1987. He would play 14 NFL seasons with six different teams. Beuerlein won a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys, serving as Troy Aikman’s backup. The Jacksonville Jaguars took him with the No. 1 selection in the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft. During his tenure with the Carolina Panthers, he made the Pro Bowl and led the league in passing yards in 1998.
Rick Mirer came around a few years after Beuerlein exited Notre Dame. He left the school ranked first in career touchdowns with 41 and was hyped as the next Joe Montana. The Seattle Seahawks selected Mirer second overall in the 1993 draft. Unfortunately, he would have a disappointing NFL career. He played for seven teams in 12 seasons and never made a Pro Bowl.
Other notable Notre Dame quarterbacks include Brady Quinn, Jimmy Clausen, andDeShone Kizer.
Will Leonard Do It?
Riley Leonard, quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
Aug 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) scrambles with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Right now, Leonard is the Colts’ No. 3 quarterback. He’s behind starter Daniel Jones and primary backup Anthony Richardson.
You never know, Jones could have a breakout year and lead the team to the playoffs this season. Or Richardson could become QB1 again at some point and show why he was the No. 4 pick in the draft a couple of years ago.
With that said, Leonard might not see the field in 2025. But he could ultimately emerge as Indy’s starter and put together a remarkable career.
Leonard put on a show in the preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. He played the whole first half of the game, completing 15-of-20 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown (a 59-yard heave to wide receiver Laquon Treadwell). Sure, it was only a preseason game, but he displayed his talent.
Riley Leonard is a leader and is tough as nails. Developing into one of the NFL’s greatest Notre Dame quarterbacks is certainly possible.
Main Photo: [Katie Stratman] – Imagn Images