Everything former Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard said after Senior Bowl practice No. 1

Former Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard had a successful first day of Senior Bowl practice in Mobile, Ala., close to his hometown of Fairhope, Ala. He joined NFL Network’s broadcast crew for a quick interview after the practice session.

Here’s everything he said.

On how his body feels after playing in the national championship game vs. Ohio State a week ago

“I’m still feeling it. Those dudes could hit. I took a lot of them. But it’s good to be out here. I woke up this morning still a little sore. But shoot, everything goes away as soon as you step onto the field. It’s good to be back. The weather is a whole lot warmer than it is in South Bend, so it’s like a vacation for me coming home. To be able to work with the best in the country, what more could you ask for?”

On the long season he just had at Notre Dame

“Everybody talks about the long season in the NFL and the longer season in college, playing 16 games this year for me, but sign me up. I want to play as many games as possible. What am I going to do in the offseason? I’m just trying to play ball. As many games as possible. That’s why I’m here this week. I’m playing. If you give me a chance to play football, I’m going to play it.”

On what Fairhope, Ala., means to him

“My character is just a reflection of who I grew up with and the role models that I had growing up. Every day that I wake up, I think about all of the little kids in Fairhope who are looking up to me. They give me more motivation then I probably give back to them. I appreciate every single person from Fairhope. It’s so great to be here. So great to be back. Hopefully there will be a lot of Fairhope people out there on Saturday cheering me on. It’s truly, truly a blessing and I’m not taking it for granted.”

On being roommates with Will Howard at the Manning Passing Academy and what he took from the camp in general

“The biggest takeaway that I took was how intentional Peyton and Eli, who are all-time quarterbacks, how intentional they took every single kid at that camp. For those you don’t know, about 2,000 kids go to Thibodaux, Louisiana, in the middle of the summer. Hottest weekend of the year, by far, and Peyton and Eli spend time with every single kid at that camp. They know every single water boy, water girl’s name. These little details, they just care so much about people.

“It kind of reminds me of the Bible verse that I wear on my wrist, Matthew 23:12; ‘Those who exalt themselves will be humble but those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ I tried to show this off in the natty, but it was a little blurry. So for anyone wondering, that’s what I was showing off.

“But yeah, I think they taught me a lot of life lessons and the things that I care about, they definitely fulfill. They’re great role models to me.”

On getting to know Philip Rivers in Fairhope

“He moved there a couple years ago, but he’s like right down the road from me. I was actually able to visit him with like eight of my receivers this summer as soon as I got back healthy. We went down there and trained with him. I was able to take some of the guys fishing. It was pretty fun.”

On throwing to eight Notre Dame receivers and if Rivers has enough kids to matchup up

“Yes, and then some.”

On growing from Duke to Notre Dame and now possibly the NFL

“I think it’s really important to look back at my college career; I had three different head coaches, three different offensive systems in four years. I had to do a lot of adapting. Went through a lot of adversity, as well, going from 3-9 my freshman year, to 9-4 and getting injured and having three offseason surgeries. A really shaky start to the season this year, which goes without saying, getting thrown in the ocean. I’ve been through a lot and overcame all of that. I think I’m at my best version of myself right now. I’m more confident than I’ve ever been. That’s all just due to the amount of trials and tribulations I’ve been through the last few years.”

On what he’s working on before the NFL Draft

“I definitely know my weaknesses, and I attack them more than anything. I wake up in the morning and ask myself, all right, new challenge for the day. Let’s go attack these things. Those things include little footwork in the pocket. A lot of times I can use my athleticism in college to bail myself out of sticky situations and scramble for seven yards. That scramble for seven yards isn’t exactly going to work every time in the NFL. Moving in the pocket, getting through my whole progressions. As long as my eyes and my feet are in the right position, I’m very accurate. It’s whenever I get off-balance a little bit. I have to find my foundation and find my balance whenever I’m moving around in the pocket, for sure.”

Signing off

“Thank you very much, Jesus Bless.”