Less than one week after playing in the national championship game, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard is competing in the Senior Bowl, looking to make a strong first impression in front of NFL teams.
But as he looks to do that and boost his NFL draft stock, Leonard appears to still be feeling some soreness from the hits he took from Ohio State’s defense in the College Football Playoff championship game on Jan. 20.
“Those dudes could hit,” Leonard told On3’s Tyler Horka Tuesday at the Senior Bowl.
Former Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard said he’s still sore from the national title game vs. Ohio State.
“Those dudes could hit.”
So why’s he partaking in the Senior Bowl?
“If you give me a chance to play football, I’m going to play it.”
Football guy.https://t.co/afnffHfarI pic.twitter.com/QWfmXguSDh
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) January 28, 2025
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The 6-foot-4 quarterback took several hits from the Buckeyes’ top-ranked defensive in the national championship game — both as a passer and a runner. Ohio State’s defense got to Leonard twice on the night, an 11-yard sack from linebacker Sonny Styles in the third quarter and a 2-yard sack from defensive lineman JT Tuimoloau late in the fourth quarter.
Perhaps where Leonard took the most blows to by the Buckeyes’ defense came during Notre Dame’s opening drive. Over that drive, which went 18 plays for 75 yards and took nearly 10 minutes off the clock, Leonard ran 11 times and plunged through the Buckeyes’ defense into the end zone for a score.
Leonard finished 22 of 31 passing for 255 yards and two touchdowns in Notre Dame’s loss to Ohio State, adding 17 carries for 40 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
Ohio State was scheduled to have multiple representatives down at the Senior Bowl…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/riley-leonard-still-feeling-soreness-194714564.html
Author : The Columbus Dispatch
Publish date : 2025-01-29 19:47:00
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