The Colts sent some staff up to South Bend for the Notre Dame Pro Day on Thursday. Who they were truly looking at is obviously unknown right now, but it’s that time of year where we can certainly speculate on it. Plenty of players on that Notre Dame team can fill the needs of the Colts roster. Let’s take some guesses on who or what they were looking for in their visit.
The What: What Staff Was Brought And What They Are Looking For
The handful of staff (reportedly) at the pro day were Head Coach Shane Steichen, Special Teams Coordinator Brian Mason, Assistant ST Coordinator Joe Hastings, and Midwest Scout Mike Lacy. All 32 NFL teams were in attendance in some form. The Colts contingency shows that they believe they can really find some prospects that might help them on special teams. Obviously, Steichen being there allows a wider view of everything, but the special teams aspect should not be overlooked.
So far, #Colts-wise, I’ve seen HC Shane Steichen, STC Brian Mason, and Midwest area scout Mike Lacy here at the Notre Dame pro day. pic.twitter.com/bCCTlgbw3J
— Jake Arthur (@JakeArthurNFL) March 27, 2025
The Who: The Potential Prospects
As mentioned above we have no idea who the main prospects they want to see and they won’t show that hand at all. The contingency they brought might give a slight idea of who they are potentially looking at.
Linebacker Jack Kiser
I have written about the potential of Jack Kiser and the Colts have needs at linebacker - and, more importantly, replacing Grant Stuard’s production on special teams. Kiser can supplant both those needs. He would bring competition to the linebacker’s room which we all know is the biggest concern this season for the front office.
Kiser was not only a special teams star, but he was the leader of the highly rated Notre Dame defense. He has all the traits that this franchise looks for in a prospect. It should be noted as well that Brian Mason coached Jack Kiser in 2022 when he was the Notre Dame Special Teams Coach.
Quarterback Riley Leonard
The Colts roster hole for a developmental quarterback is alive and well as it appears that Sam Ehlinger will not return, and Jason Bean is unproven as more than a scout quarterback. Riley Leonard is a seasoned collegiate veteran and leader. He has a similar skillset to both Richardson and Jones, which would allow seamless integration of potential scheme. This is strictly a developmental piece that can assist in game planning for now but Leonard would be a late round pick and that’s exactly what you want out of him.
Multiple Defensive Prospects
I imagine the crew was also there to see and talk to some, if not all, of the trio of safety Xavier Watts, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, and defensive lineman Rylie Mills. The secondary needs (for the most part) have been rectified in free agency but, again, bringing in more competition (especially at safety) might be in the plan for the draft.
Mills is recovering from an ACL injury that he suffered in the College Football Playoff, and will stunt his debut in the NFL. They can still get some face time with him and get some general interview questions in. It will drag him down the draft boards, and might allow the Colts to grab a future piece to the defensive line that could, hopefully, be ready for the second half of the season, depending on rehab schedule.