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Newsstand: Where ESPN ranked Notre Dame football's Riley Leonard among NFL Draft QBs

Kyle Kellyby:Kyle Kelly•about 9 hours•

ByKyleKelly

Riley Leonard
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard at the Reese's Senior Bowl. (© Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images)

On Sunday, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid released his updated 2025 quarterback rankings. Former Notre Dame football signal-caller Riley Leonard checked in at No. 12, the last of the group. He is projected to be a Late Day 3 selection or undrafted free agent. 

According to Reid, Leonard must improve his passer ability, especially when targeting wide receivers downfield. He noted Leonard averaged only 7.1 air yards per passing attempt, which ranked 83rd in the FBS.

“(It) shows that the team stayed in the underneath areas,” Reid said. “When the initial option isn’t open, Leonard tends to hang onto the ball or immediately drop his eyes to look for available running lanes. He needs to have more play patience by continuing to stay on schedule through the next steps of his progressions.

When citing where Leonard excels, Reid said he was a “quick-game operator who thrives in a timing-based offense.”

“He has more than enough mobility to escape and create outside of the structure of the offense,” Reid said. “He’s also a tough runner on designed QB runs. Excluding sacks, Leonard’s 1,012 rushing yards were the eighth most among QBs.”

In his one season at Notre Dame, Leonard completed 269-403 passes for 2,861 yards and 21 touchdowns while throwing just 8 interceptions. He was extremely effective on the ground, rushing 184 times for 906 yards and 17 scores. 

Leonard is the program’s all-time rushing leader among quarterbacks. 

Notre Dame Posts of the Weekend 

On Sunday, former Irish defensive lineman Isaac Rochell announced his retirement from the NFL.

Irish women’s basketball star Hannah Hidalgo made history.

Irish wide receiver Tyler Buchner also plays men’s lacrosse and recently scored his first goal. 

Notre Dame Quote of the Weekend

“Chris’ experience of coordinating and leading great defensive units at multiple places really resonated with me. His experience both in the NFL and as a head coach are valuable assets he can bring to our program. 

“Chris has a great reputation of being a coach who builds strong relationships, while simultaneously developing his players, and that makes him a great fit for this role.”

— Irish coach Marcus Freeman on hiring Chris Ash as the program’s defensive coordinator. 

Notre Dame Headlines of the Weekend 

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