Riley Leonard’s name was supposed to be trending on college football Saturdays, not NFL Sundays. Yet in one of the more unexpected quarterback storylines of the season, the former Duke and Notre Dame signal-caller has already logged his first NFL action and first scoring drive with the Indianapolis Colts—faster than almost anyone predicted.
And it all started with an injury… just not his.
From Fairhope to the NFL Fast Track
Leonard’s journey has never been boring.
A standout at
Fairhope High School in Alabama, he turned heads as a dual-threat quarterback before landing at
Duke, where he became one of the ACC’s most intriguing playmakers. After an injury-plagued 2023 at Duke, he transferred to
Notre Dame, grabbing headlines as one of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal.
The expectation? Another year of college ball, a shot to boost his draft stock, and then the NFL.
Instead, Leonard’s path detoured.
According to local coverage from Gulf Coast Media, Leonard made the leap to the pros and ultimately
landed with the Indianapolis Colts, where he began the year buried on the depth chart. With Anthony Richardson entrenched as the starter, Leonard looked like a classic developmental project.
Then the injuries hit.
Opportunity Knocks: Leonard Gets His Shot
Leonard’s NFL chance came after an injury in front of him opened the door—echoing how he’d earned chances at previous stops. Once he stepped on the field, he didn’t look like a rattled rookie.
In his
NFL debut for the Colts, Leonard led the team on his
first NFL scoring drive, showing exactly the traits that made coaches fall in love with him during the draft process: poise, mobility, and calm under pressure.
Analysts at Colts blog
Stampede Blue highlighted how Leonard:
-
Commanded the huddle and operated the offense efficiently in his first real action
- Made smart, on-time throws rather than forcing hero plays
- Used his legs to extend plays and keep the drive alive, echoing his Duke days
For a rookie who wasn’t supposed to see the field this early, it was a big statement.
Week 14 Reality Check: Rough Loss, Grown-Up Presser
Leonard’s story took another step in
Week 14, when he saw more action in the Colts’
36–19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The box score wasn’t kind to Indianapolis, but what happened after the game said a lot about where Leonard is mentally. In his
postgame media session, he spoke with the composure of a veteran.
In that presser, Leonard:
- Took ownership of mistakes and missed opportunities
- Emphasized the need to “learn from every rep” and get better each week
- Backed his teammates and coaching staff, refusing to throw anyone under the bus
The Colts’ official video of the interview shows a rookie who clearly understands the NFL microscope and isn’t shying away from it.
What Makes Leonard Different?
Leonard was never the clean, cookie-cutter QB prospect. That might be exactly why he’s intriguing now.
A few traits are standing out early:
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Dual-threat ability: At Duke, Leonard was known for making plays with both his arm and legs, and that mobility is already translating to the Colts’ offense.
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Resilience: Injuries at Duke, a bumpy transfer, and now an NFL learning curve—Leonard keeps finding ways to climb back into the conversation.
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Big-stage calm: Debuting in the NFL and then facing the media after a blowout loss can rattle a young quarterback. Leonard looked composed in both moments.
For a franchise still shaping its long-term identity around Anthony Richardson, having another young QB who can run a similar play style is quietly valuable.
Inside the Colts’ QB Room: Why Leonard Matters
Leonard is not the face of the Colts franchise—that’s still Richardson’s job. But his early progress matters for several reasons:
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Scheme continuity: If Richardson misses time, Leonard can keep much of the
same playbook intact with his mobility and athleticism, rather than forcing a total offensive shift.
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Depth in a violent league: Quarterback injuries are a weekly storyline across the NFL. A capable, developing backup is no luxury; it’s a necessity.
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Future trade or competition value: If Leonard continues to show well, he could either become a long-term No. 2 or a trade chip down the line.
Colts-focused analysis has already begun framing his first scoring drive as more than a feel-good moment—it’s an early sign that Indianapolis may have quietly found another useful quarterback in an unlikely place.
What Comes Next for Riley Leonard?
The big question now:
Is this a cameo or the start of something bigger?A few things to watch in the coming weeks:
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Snap count and usage: Do the Colts carve out more real game reps for Leonard, especially in late-game or low-risk situations?
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Red-zone and package plays: Coaches love to experiment with athletic QBs. If Leonard earns their trust, he might see the field in specialized packages.
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Development curve: How quickly he processes NFL defenses and cuts down on rookie mistakes will determine whether he’s just “a nice story” or a legitimate long-term asset.
For now, Leonard has done the one thing every late-round or overlooked rookie must do:
make the most of the first opportunity. His first NFL scoring drive and his measured Week 14 presser have put him firmly on the radar in Indianapolis.
Don’t be surprised if you start hearing his name a lot more on Sundays.
Sources
1. Riley Leonard: Colts at Jaguars postgame
2. Colts rookie QB Riley Leonard shows poise in first NFL scoring drive
3. Fairhope’s Riley Leonard makes NFL debut after Daniel Jones injury
