Riley Leonard is one of several highly talented quarterbacks who made the leap to the NFL in the latest Draft. Marcus Freeman had the chance to coach him during his final stint with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and he knows Leonard has the tools and potential to succeed at the next level.
The Indianapolis Colts ultimately secured the services of the quarterback, selecting him in the sixth round with the 189th overall pick. Leonard is expected to emerge as one of the primary backups to Anthony Richardson.
While his rookie season will likely be more about learning and limited playing time, his former college coach has made it clear that Riley Leonard has yet to reach his ceiling—and still has plenty to prove in the league.
“A lot of the talk is, he’s an ascending player,” Freeman said, per ESPN. “He’ll be a guy that isn’t near his ceiling. He can continue to improve, which is intriguing for the NFL.”
Leonard was one of the standout performers in the Irish’s recent campaign, which saw them reach the National Championship Game. Unfortunately for Notre Dame, their title run ended in a loss to Will Howard and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Can the Colts be contenders?
After a season marked by inconsistency and missed opportunities, Indianapolis enters el 2025 campaign with renewed ambitions. With a revamped quarterback room featuring a dynamic mix of youth and experience, the franchise hopes to turn the page and assert itself as a serious player in the AFC South.
The presence of Anthony Richardson as the presumed starter offers explosive potential, while the additions of Daniel Jones and rookie Riley Leonard provide valuable depth and flexibility under center.
Competing in a division that has seen significant growth—especially with the continued emergence of the Texans and the Jaguars—will be no easy task. The Colts know they must elevate both sides of the ball to keep pace.
A more balanced offensive scheme, paired with a defense that can stay consistent late in games, will be crucial if they hope to challenge the likes of C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and a retooling Titans squad.
SURVEY Who will claim the AFC South?
Who will claim the AFC South?
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