Latest news with #NationalChampionshipGame
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How does rookie QB Riley Leonard fit with Indianapolis Colts? ESPN analyst weighs in
How does rookie QB Riley Leonard fit with Indianapolis Colts? ESPN analyst weighs in How does rookie QB Riley Leonard fit with the Indianapolis Colts? ESPN's Jordan Reid recently weighed in. ESPN analyst Jordan Reid recently highlighted how each quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL draft fits with their new team, including the Indianapolis Colts' sixth-round selection, Riley Leonard. "Leonard will be allowed to develop," wrote Reid. "He is a dual-threat quarterback who can take advantage of quick throws and use his mobility to create off schedule. He still needs to trust his initial reads more, but Leonard has long-term backup potential because of his physical traits and leadership." After spending three seasons at Duke, Leonard transferred to Notre Dame in 2024 and helped guide the Irish to a National Championship appearance. On the season, Leonard completed a career-high 66.4% of his passes and threw for 2,851 yards at 7.0 yards per attempt with 21 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Along with being efficient, Leonard was very good at taking care of the ball, ranking 12th in turnover-worthy play rate among all quarterbacks. In addition to his contributions in the passing game, Leonard rushed for just shy of 1,000 yards as well. The Colts showed interest in Leonard throughout the pre-draft process, and one of the characteristics about him that caught Indianapolis' attention was how he performed in some of Notre Dame's biggest games. Lenoard's 223 passing yards against Penn State in the College Football Playoffs was his third-highest total of the season, and his 9.3 yards per attempt was also his third-best mark. In the National Championship Game vs. Ohio State, Leonard threw for 255 yards, a season-high, completed 71% of his throws, and averaged 8.2 yards per attempt. As Reid mentions, with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones on the roster, Leonard is going to have the opportunity to grow and develop this season. In Shane Steichen's first two seasons as head coach, we've seen the Colts' roster three quarterbacks, and Leonard has an opportunity to fill that role for the team in 2025. In the long run, as Stephen Holder described in the article with Reid, Leonard has a path to becoming the team's primary backup if he can continue to progress. 'He's got the physical ability to be much more than a No. 3," area scout Mike Lacy said after the draft. "I think that's kind of what he's going to be coming in as. He's going to find his way. He's going to learn, be a sponge, soak things up and be ready to go. We're excited about what he can be, that's for sure.'
USA Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bengals undrafted free agents: Harold Cross profile
Bengals undrafted free agents: Harold Cross profile The Cincinnati Bengals have continued to search for help on the interior defensive line. Could some help come through the team's undrafted free agent class? They're at least taking a shot with the signing of Notre Dame defensive tackle Harold Cross III. Let's take a quick look at one of the newest members of the Bengals. The 23-year-old from Paramus, New Jersey, totaled 28 tackles and four sacks last season as the Irish made a run to the National Championship Game. He had five tackles and a pass breakup across the four playoff games. RELATED: Bengals' Trey Hendrickson, Germaine Pratt standoffs updated In six seasons at Notre Dame, Cross played in 66 games (35 starts) and totaled 169 tackles, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and four pass breakups. His father, Harold Cross Jr., was a longtime tight end for the New York Giants, playing 13 seasons from 1989-2001. He was a member of the Super Bowl XXV team and now works as a sideline reporter for the Giants. RELATED: Bengals' Geno Stone gets brutally honest about his contract restructure
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN downgrades Ohio State football in Top 25
ESPN downgrades Ohio State football in Top 25 ESPN has released its post-spring "way too early" Top 25, and Ohio State took quite a tumble. The Buckeyes were No. 1 in the outlet's initial "way too early" Top 25, which is a pretty easy thing to do given the Buckeyes had just won the College Football Playoff. It's a bit hard to understand exactly what changed for ESPN and author Mark Schlabach between his first ratings and now. In his intro, he describes the Buckeyes as having "lost a boatload of players to the NFL draft, along with both of its coordinators." And while it's true that both Jim Knowles and Chip Kelly left after the initial article, is that enough to explain the huge drop? It's also certainly true that the Buckeyes lost a veritable "boatload" of players to the NFL Draft. But, with the exception of Quinshon Judkins, we knew all of those players would be leaving back on January 20th, too. And while every Buckeye fan loves Judkins and what he did for the team last year, he alone isn't the difference between being No. 1 and No. 5. I have nothing against anyone thinking Penn State belongs at No. 1 for 2025 at this point. The team looks stacked across the board and will be very tough for anyone to beat. I can't wait to see the Nittany Lions visit Columbus on November 1st. But the change for Ohio State from No. 1 all the way to No. 5 doesn't make much sense. The defensive line is a question mark, yes, but it's not a huge issue and not something we didn't know about. Maybe the real answer all along is that ESPN put the Buckeyes at No. 1 back in January as a knee-jerk reaction to winning the National Championship Game, not as an actual outlook for next year. The current "drop" being a correction rather than Schlabach actually changing his mind makes a lot more sense.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 Things to know about Indianapolis Colts' sixth-round pick QB Riley Leonard
5 Things to know about Indianapolis Colts' sixth-round pick QB Riley Leonard Let's take a closer look at Riley Leonard with five things you need to know about the newest Colts' quarterback. In the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. Let's take a closer look at Leonard with five things you need to know about the newest Colts' quarterback: An efficient 2024 season The 2024 season was Leonard's first at Notre Dame, and it was the most efficient of his career. According to PFF, Leonard would complete a career high 66.4% of his passes, which ranked in the top 15 among eligible quarterbacks. In addition to that, he did a good job of taking care of the football, ranking 12th in turnover-worthy play rate. Making plays in the run game Along with Leonard throwing for 2,851 yards, he also rushed for 982 yards last season and averaged 7.0 yards per rush. Among all college quarterbacks, Leonard's total rushing yards were the eighth-most in 2024, and his 17 touchdowns were tied for the fifth-most. That mobility element is an important factor within Shane Steichen's offense. "I just think the athletic ability that he has at the quarterback position, what he was able to do at Notre Dame this year, leading them to the National Championship (game) speaks volumes of the player and the competitor that he is," Shane Steichen said. Leonard has worked out with former Colts' QB Phillip Rivers Over the last year, Leonard has worked out on a few occasions with Phillip Rivers. Leonard's parents live in Fairhope, Alabama, which is also where Rivers calls home. Prior to the 2024 season, Leoard and several Notre Dame pass-catchers visited Rivers at his home and ran routes on the turf field in his backyard. Then, during the pre-draft process, Leonard spent additional time with Rivers. "The thing about Riley," said Rivers on the 'Last Word' podcast, "he's going to do all those things right. He's going to be there early. He's going to end up being an asset to the whole quarterback room in terms of preparing the starter for the season, all while he's getting himself better. It'll be a good working environment for Riley and Shane (Steichen) and that offensive staff — I know a handful of those guys as well — they'll do a heck of a job." Playing his best in big games One of the many things about Leonard that caught the Colts' attention was his performance in Notre Dame's biggest games during the College Football Playoffs. Leonard's 223 passing yards against Penn State in the College Football Playoffs were his third-highest total of the season, and his 9.3 yards per attempt was also his third-best mark of the year. In the National Championship Game vs. Ohio State, Leonard threw for 255 yards, a season-high, completed 71% of his throws, and averaged 8.2 yards per attempt, according to PFF. What one Colts' scout had to say about Leonard Mike Lacy, area scout: "'He played his best ball down the stretch as well, but I think seeing him one last time, at his Pro Day, watching him in-person, kind of polished-up mechanically, seeing him live, seeing his arm strength, what he has to offer physically, I think that definitely kind of put the stamp on him as a player," Lacy said via the Indy Star. 'He's got the physical ability to be much more than a No. 3. I think that's kind of what he's going to be coming in as. He's going to find his way. He's going to learn, be a sponge, soak things up and be ready to go. We're excited about what he can be, that's for sure.'
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Indianapolis Colts' quarterback weighs in on Riley Leonard
Former Indianapolis Colts' quarterback weighs in on Riley Leonard One former Colts' QB has spent time with draft pick Riley Leonard and shared some insights about the rookie QB. Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers has spent some time over the last year with sixth-round draft pick Riley Leonard and recently provided some insight into what he can bring to the team. Leonard's parents live in Fairhope, Alabama, which also happens to be where Rivers calls home. Prior to the 2024 college football season, Riley and a few Notre Dame pass-catchers visited with Rivers at his home and ran routes on the turf field he has in his backyard. Then, once the college season was completed, Leonard spent some additional time with Rivers during the pre-draft process. Rivers recently joined Jeffrey Forman and Matt Taylor on "The Last Word" podcast and was asked about Riley. "(Leonard's) just a real pleasant and enjoyable guy to be around," Rivers said via the Colts' team site. "Just really humble, but really competitive and wants to just soak up all he can. You always want those young guys to be confident but also have that humility that, 'I got a long way to go.'" After spending three seasons at Duke, Riley transferred to Notre Dame for the 2024 season, where he helped guide the Irish to the National Championship Game. For Leonard, this was his most efficient season, completing 66.4% of his passes while having the 12th-lowest turnover-worthy play rate in all of college football, according to PFF. In total, he threw for 2,851 yards at 7.0 yards per attempt with 21 touchdowns to eight interceptions. He also rushed for nearly 1,000 yards as well. One of the qualities about Leonard that stood out to Colts' area scout Mike Lacy was that some of Leonard's best performances last season came in the biggest games during the College Football Playoffs. "The thing about Riley," added Rivers, "he's going to do all those things right. He's going to be there early. He's going to end up being an asset to the whole quarterback room in terms of preparing the starter for the season, all while he's getting himself better. It'll be a good working environment for Riley and Shane (Steichen) and that offensive staff — I know a handful of those guys as well — they'll do a heck of a job." Rivers would also mention that Shane Steichen's understanding of defenses and coverages will be a "great asset" for Leonard as he grows and develops early on in his career.
