Fairhope now has a quarterback in the NFL.

During Day 3 of the NFL Draft on Saturday, former Fairhope High School and Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was drafted in the sixth round, 189th overall, becoming the first player from Fairhope High School since Leon Lett in 1991 to be drafted into the league.

Leonard was at home in Fairhope with family and friends, waiting for his name to be called as the picks came in. He got the call from Colts athletic trainer Dave Hammer, informing Leonard the team would be drafting him. Leonard and his group erupted into cheers, with Leonard proudly donning a Colts hat and a blue Colts hoodie after getting the call.

"Throughout this whole process, there is no place I would rather be than back in Indiana," Leonard said during media availability. "Even when I was at the combine in Indianapolis, it kind of just felt like home."

A former standout at Fairhope High School, Leonard threw for 1,870 yards and 20 touchdowns during his senior year, while also rushing for nearly 500 yards. He spent his first three college seasons at Duke before transferring to Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to a 14-2 record en route to an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship. He threw for 2,861 yards and 21 touchdowns with Notre Dame. Leonard also set a school record for single season rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, running in for 17.

"I just think the athletic ability that he has at the quarterback position, what he was able to do at Notre Dame this year, leading them to the National Championship speaks volumes of the player and the competitor that he is," Colts head coach Shane Steichen said. "Just to add that depth in that room is big."

Leonard echoed these same sentiments but said there are areas in his game where he can improve.

"I think a couple things that they enjoyed was, No. 1, my ability to extend plays and make plays as a playmaker," Leonard said. "I think they like my preparation and the way that I handle things off the field. I think the intangibles are something that I can take advantage of and help the quarterback room in whatever way possible."

"Some things I'm [trying to improve at], being able to play with my eyes and be able to be a little more disciplined in the pocket," Leonard said. "You're not going to be able to extend the plays the way you did in college as much. Operating in the pocket and playing on time are a couple things I really want to emphasize."

Fairhope has football connections to Indianapolis, with current St. Michael Catholic football coach Phillip Rivers having played for the Colts in his final year as a player in 2020. Rivers has also been extensively training Leonard during the pre-draft process. Leonard also spent time with Steichen and others during Notre Dame's pro day.

"I know you have a quarterback you've been working with that is a big fan of yours, and we sure think a lot of him, and you got a lot of him in you," Colts general manager Chris Ballard told Leonard on the phone when he got drafted.

Leonard steps into a quarterback room that features former fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson and former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. The Colts are looking for a quarterback of the future, with Richardson and Jones likely to be competing for the starting position during training camp this summer.

"We had a couple conversations so far," Richardson said. "I'm looking forward to learning a lot from him. He's been in the league for a good little minute, you know, had ups and downs throughout his career, so I'm ready to learn as much as I can from him."