Riley Leonard, the departing Notre Dame quarterback, has given his NFL Draft prospects a significant boost with an impressive performance at this weekend’s Scouting Combine.
Leonard was among the 13 quarterbacks who took up the invitation to showcase their skills at Saturday’s event held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. He seized the opportunity to enhance his draft stock by delivering a series of accurate throws.
Currently projected as a mid-round pick, Leonard’s prospects could change dramatically before the NFL Draft kicks off on April 24, and his decision to participate in Saturday’s session has already improved his chances – unlike Shedeur Sanders, who declined the invitation to throw for the cameras.
Sanders, the departing Colorado QB, believes he should be the top overall pick, and it’s hard to argue against him considering he led college football with a 74 percent completion rate last season. In addition, Sanders racked up 7,364 yards and 64 touchdowns over his two seasons at Colorado.
Despite these impressive stats, he chose not to throw for NFL teams this weekend, instead dedicating his time to team interviews in hopes that NFL executives will gain a deeper understanding of his character and leadership abilities. The 23-year-old is also banking on his illustrious collegiate career to make a strong case for him.
While Leonard isn’t anticipated to outshine Sanders in the quarterback rankings, his decision to throw – a move not made by the former Colorado star – already gives him an edge ahead of the Draft. Moreover, he shone brightly during his moment under the spotlight on Saturday.
Shedeur Sanders decided not to throw on Saturday (
Getty Images)
Notre Dame’s official X account shared footage of some of Leonard’s throws from Saturday’s drills, noting that he was “letting it fly in Indy”. The 22-year-old seemed to do just that, breezing through his latest challenge with aplomb.
Leonard’s recent performance builds on his commendable display at the Senior Bowl last month, where he completed 6 of 7 passes for 54 yards, despite suffering a heartbreaking loss in the College Football Playoff final with the Fighting Irish just 12 days earlier. Since then, he’s been refining his throwing technique with QB Country trainers back in Mobile, Alabama.
However, for Saturday’s NFL Scouting Combine, Leonard opted to postpone sprinting and other physical tests until Notre Dame’s pro day in March, underscoring his resolve to demonstrate his skills that you “don’t see on tape.”
“One thing I want to showcase is my ability to extend the ball down the field,” Leonard expressed on Friday. “You probably don’t see that as much on tape, but that’s something I’ve really been working on. A lot of people think my arm might be a little bit weaker, but all that matters is that I think I have a strong arm. I’m ready to prove a lot of people wrong.”
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