Riley Leonard, a 22-year-old quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, is not only making headlines after debuting in the NFL preseason game, but also following in the footsteps of his two brothers, Devin and Cole.
Raised in Fairhope, Alabama, Leonard’s journey to the professional career stage was influenced by his family, especially his brothers.
Great Bond Between The Siblings
Growing up, Leonard, who is the middle child, and his siblings were inseparable, sharing countless moments both on and off the field with Devin and Cole. “We always played together, whether it was football or anything else,” Riley recalls.
The family dynamic definitely played a crucial role in Riley’s development from an early age, with his brothers not only competing with him but also supporting him through every stage of his career, including his school and university days.
The sibling bond is evident in Riley’s statement, “We’ve always pushed each other to be the best version of ourselves.”
“We actually had a couple of extra bedrooms in our house, so we could’ve each had our own, but we insisted on not splitting up. Our parents caved and let us squeeze three beds into one room,” Leonard recalled of their childhood arrangement.
Leonard and his two brothers, Devin and Cole, spent countless hours emulating their dad’s passion for sports, from pickup basketball games to backyard football drills.
Even Leonard’s mother, Heather, found a unique way to motivate him, playfully texting “You suck” before games as a reminder to stay humble and focused.
They were always there for one another, whether it was a victory or a setback, and that support continues as Riley starts his professional career.
The Road To The NFL
Riley’s journey to the NFL began at Fairhope High School, where he was a dual-sport athlete, excelling in both football and basketball.
After high school, he committed to Duke University as a three-star quarterback.
During his time at Duke, he quickly became the starting quarterback, leading the Blue Devils to a bowl game victory.
His breakout year came in 2024 at Notre Dame, where Riley set a school record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (17), helping the team reach the National Championship game.
His impressive performance that year caught the attention of scouts and led to his selection by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2025 NFL Draft, making his dream of playing in the NFL a reality.
In Case You Don’t Know
- Riley was a standout in both football and basketball in high school, before fully committing to football during his college years.
- He set a school record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (17) and helped lead the team to a 14-2 record.
- The Indianapolis Colts selected Riley in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, No. 189 overall.
