Happy homecoming: How Riley Leonard, former Notre Dame football teammates, fared at Senior Bowl

Posted by author February 1, 2025 Football

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SOUTH BEND — Former Notre Dame football quarterback Riley Leonard enjoyed a successful homecoming during Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Ala.

Playing about a 50-minute drive around Mobile Bay from his hometown of Fairhope, Leonard started and played the first two series for the winning American team in the annual college all-star game on Saturday afternoon.

“I felt great,” Leonard said during an interview on NFL Network. “I just love playing ball and I’m so happy to be out here. A lot of people said I wasn’t going to play because I played a few days ago. How could I not?

“I love getting out there and competing with the guys. So grateful to be back here in my hometown. It’s pretty nostalgic for me.”

Leonard’s week included a pep rally in his honor at Fairhope High School, where the former Pirate starred in both football and basketball.

“Incredible,” Leonard said. “They had a whole pep rally for me. I’m kind of an introvert by heart, so I didn’t want to get up there and speak in front of all of them. It was great. They inspire me every day to wake up and be a better person.”

Just 12 days removed from a 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the CFP national championship game, Leonard completed his first six passes for 54 yards before overthrowing TCU’s Jack Bech, the game’s MVP, down the right sideline.

Bech, who had six catches for 68 yards and the game-winning score as time expired in the 22-19 contest, dedicated the game to his late brother Tiger Bech, a former Princeton football player who died in the Jan. 1 attack in New Orleans.

Leonard, who also scrambled for a 2-yard gain on the opening series, finished his day with an 8-yard loss on a third-and-20 sack. He also showed the ability to run the offense under center, something he rarely did in four college seasons.

“There are lot of things I need to prove to a lot of people, but I try not to take the opinion of others too seriously,” Leonard said. “All I’m worried about is reaching my full potential, whatever that may be. I think I can prove myself in the pocket. Thought I stood in there well today and delivered some good balls.”

Jaxson Dart, formerly of Ole Miss and USC, handled QB chores for the American side for the rest of the half. Dart went 1-of-2 passing for 39 yards, ran for a touchdown and threw for a 2-point conversion but also was intercepted.

Former Irish linebacker Jack Kiser and Notre Dame/Duke defensive end RJ Oben saw significant playing time as well. Kiser, voted linebacker of the week by his teammates after three days of practice, helped out on kickoff and punt coverage and played the majority of the second half at safety when injuries depleted the American roster.

Two other NFL hopefuls from Notre Dame, tight end Mitchell Evans and defensive back Jordan Clark, participated in practices and interviews at the East-West Shrine Game in Arlington, Texas but did not suit up for the game.

Next up for NFL Draft prospects is the NFL Scouting Combine from Feb. 27 through March 2 in Indianapolis. The NFL Draft will be April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wis.

Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.