Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, linebacker Jack Kiser, and defensive end R.J. Oben flashed in Saturday’s 76th Senior Bowl in Mobile. Under the tutelage of Cleveland Browns assistant coach and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, Leonard impressed running the offense for the American Team. He was one of the standout performers in the game, which was won 22-19 by the American Team.
Notre Dame Performed Well at the Senior Bowl
As the starter for the American Team, Leonard finished his appearance six-of-seven for 54 yards. He played the entire first quarter and the start of the second quarter. His performance likely showed NFL scouts that he is more than an athletic dual-threat quarterback. He looked confident in the pocket, and he showed off his passing ability by pushing the ball downfield.
“I felt great,” Leonard said on the NFL Network. “I just love playing ball and I’m so happy to be out here. There are a lot of things I need to prove to a lot of people, but I try not to take the opinion of others too seriously. 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.”
Kiser and Oben also saw significant playing time and turned heads during the week of Senior Bowl practice. Kiser was named the top linebacker on the American squad in a vote from the offensive lineman, tight ends, and running backs position groups.
Two other Irish NFL hopefuls—tight end Mitchell Evans and defensive back Jordan Clark participated in practices at the East-West Shrine Game in Texas but did not play in last week’s game.
Notre Dame Announces 2025 Regular Season Schedule
Notre Dame announced its schedule for the 2025 regular season. The season kicks off with the previously announced opener in Miami on Aug. 31. It concludes Nov. 29 at Stanford. Notre Dame will begin the season away from home for the fifth straight year, the longest such stint in program history. And Senior Day is set for Nov. 22 against Syracuse in South Bend.
The Fighting Irish will face teams from across the country in 2025, with two matchups each from the SEC and Big Ten. The schedule also includes games against members of the ACC in addition to meetings with Navy and Boise State. The latter, a participant in the 2024 College Football Playoff. Notre Dame will play five games with rivalry trophies at stake. Those games are against Purdue, USC, Boston College, Navy, and Stanford. The Irish are slated to face two opponents for the first time in 2025. They travel to Arkansas and host Boise State.
2025 Notre Dame Schedule
8/31 at Miami
Bye Week
9/13 Texas A&M
9/20 Purdue
9/27 at Arkansas
10/4 Boise State
10/11 NC State
10/18 USC
Bye Week
11/1 at Boston College
11/8 Navy
11/15 Pittsburgh
11/22 Syracuse
11/29 at Stanford
Annual Blue-Gold Game Set for April 12
The Notre Dame football program announced on Monday that the 94th edition of the Blue-Gold game will take place April 12th. Kickoff for the annual scrimmage will be at 2:00 p.m. ET at Notre Dame Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on Peacock.
Last year’s Blue-Gold game marked the third contest in the Marcus Freeman era. The Blue Team defeated the Gold Team 28-21. Associate head coach and running backs coach Deland McCullough coached the Gold Team. Defensive line coach Al Washington helmed the Blue Team. The intra-squad scrimmage offers enthusiasts a first glimpse of the Fighting Irish and often features early-entry freshman, as well as incoming transfer players.
Chris Ash Hiring Official
Chris Ash has officially been hired as Notre Dame’s new defensive coordinator. Ash, a veteran coach with experience in the college and professional ranks, replaces Al Golden, who joined the staff of the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL.
“Chris’ experience of coordinating and leading great defensive units at multiple places really resonated with me,” said Freeman in a Notre Dame press release. “His experience both in the NFL and as a head coach are valuable assets he can bring to our program. Chris has a great reputation of being a coach who builds strong relationships, while simultaneously developing his players, and that makes him a great fit for this role.”
Ash enters his 30th season of coaching. Most recently a scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars, he spent two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders as defensive backs coach. At the collegiate level, Ash was co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the 2014 National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. The following year, the Buckeye defense ranked second nationally in scoring defense and ninth in sacks. Ash also served as the head coach at Rutgers from 2016-19.
Ash began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at his alma mater, Drake, in 1997.
Main image: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
The post Notre Dame Standouts Boost Draft Stock at the Senior Bowl appeared first on Last Word on College Football.