Jan 28, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team quarterback Riley Leonard of Notre Dame (13) throws the ball during Senior Bowl practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Social Media Erupts as Riley Leonard Is Drafted by the Colts

Originally posted on Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI
By Nick Shepkowski | Last updated Apr 27, 2025 7:39 AM ET

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard became the first Fighting Irish quarterback to hear his name called in the NFL draft on Saturday as he went 189th overall to the Indianapolis Colts. Leonard heads straight south to Indianapolis where a potential climb up the quarterback depth chart could be waiting.

The Colts have bodies but a lack of surething anywhere at quarterback currently. Anthony Richardson was a high draft pick who is still finding his way while Daniel Jones joined the Colts after crashing out with the New York Giants. Jason Bean of Kansas has also spent the last two years on and off the Colts depth chart.

What the future holds for Leonard remains to be seen but his next stop is Indianapolis and there were plenty of people excited about that on Saturday.

Riley Leonard: Back (Home) Again in Indiana

Let’s GOO!! Grateful and blessed to be a Colt!! pic.twitter.com/y8jcEVF92K
— Riley Leonard (@rileyleonard13_) April 26, 2025

Riley Leonard's NFL Draft Selection:

Riley Leonard is staying in Indiana!

The Notre Dame QB goes to the @Colts at pick No. 189.

: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/IM5P9u7kWv
— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2025

Riley Leonard: A Colts Quarterback Combination?

I cannot stress this enough: Riley Leonard, in terms of play style and traits, is like if you fused Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones https://t.co/fgaufZS5fi
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) April 26, 2025

Jon Gruden Reacts to Colts Selection of Leonard

Riley Leonard to the Colts has me feelin’ NICEY

Best of luck to Riley on his new journey! pic.twitter.com/8Ud28YETAJ
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) April 26, 2025

Notre Dame Football on X:

Riley Leonard is a Colt

With the 189th overall pick in the 6th round, the @Colts select @rileyleonard13_ , quarterback, Notre Dame.#NFLDraft | #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/bVtPxlKMKD
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 26, 2025

Mike Golic, Jr. on Leonard's Destination:

Riley Leonard loved his time in Indiana so much he decided to stay! Great fit for Shane’s offense, hell of an opportunity there
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) April 26, 2025

Riley Leonard is a Great...Everything:

The Indianapolis Colts got great value in picking Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard in the 6th round.

Great athlete, competitor and person. pic.twitter.com/L85Yqcxfsl
— Mike Singer (@MikeTSinger) April 26, 2025

Analytical Look at Riley Leonard as He Heads to Indianapolis:

Go Irish!

Riley Leonard joins a QB room with similar players to him in Indianapolis

Don't understand ESPN's comment on him not forcing a lot of missed tackles, for his career had a missed tackle forced rate of 25.2%, that's in the 91st percentile among QBs in my NFL Draft data pic.twitter.com/l9RLRJWgFt
— Notre Dame Football Stats & Analytics (@ND_FB_Analytics) April 26, 2025

Riley Leonard on Being Drafted by Indianapolis Colts:

#Colts QB Riley Leonard: "The only place I wanted to be was in Indianapolis."
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) April 26, 2025

Colts Followers Find Riley Leonard's Basketball Highlights

New #Colts QB Riley Leonard was basically Mac McClung in high school! https://t.co/m8OOJs2nwo pic.twitter.com/78GBkG3chK
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 26, 2025

All the best to Riley in Indianapolis. He may have been in Notre Dame for just a season but it was one of the most memorable seasons in the long history of the elite program.

This article first appeared on Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: