The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are a historic college football program known for producing tremendous players to the NFL.

The Fighting Irish came up just short of their 12th national championship this past season, falling to the Ohio State Buckeyes 34-23 in the title game. Despite the loss, the 14-2 season from head coach Marcus Freeman’s squad was proof of the immense talent on the team.

That talent was on display Thursday as Notre Dame held its annual pro day for the school’s draft-eligible players. The Indianapolis Colts, including head coach Shane Steichen, were on hand to take in the action. Notre Dame has several prospects who have been linked to the Colts throughout the draft cycle.

Horseshoe Huddle was also in attendance observing the pro day. Here is what went down in South Bend.

Steichen, special teams coordinator Brian Mason, senior assistant of special teams Joe Hastings, and midwest area scout Mike Lacy were all present at Notre Dame’s pro day. This marks the first known pro day that Steichen has attended in this draft cycle.

Although South Bend is not a far drive from Indianapolis, the fact that Steichen spent an entire day to come to the pro day is significant. Steichen was seen talking to quarterback Riley Leonard for an extended period of time and took particular interest when tight end Mitchell Evans ran the 40-yard dash.

Steichen’s attendance does not guarantee the Colts will draft a member of the Fighting Irish next month. However, it does mean the Colts have notable interest in the team’s prospects and the head coach wanted to see them with his own eyes.

Speaking of Leonard and Evans, each came into their pro day with something to prove on the field. For Leonard, it was proving he could throw the deep ball with velocity and accuracy. Leonard threw the ball well, with only four incompletions in almost 70 throws.

Leonard revealed he has been working with former Colts’ quarterback Phillip Rivers during the pre-draft process. Rivers has served as a mentor for Leonard as he prepares for life in the NFL.

“Phillip has given me a lot of good advice,” Leonard said. “He’s probably the best under-center seven-foot-drop guy that there’s ever been to play. So, being able to get out there and work with him, work with those fast feet and getting my feet underneath me has helped a lot.”

Mitchell was another Fighting Irish player who wanted to silence some of the critics of his game. Evans ran fluid routes and showed his receiving prowess, proving he can be more than just an in-line player.

“I feel like I kind of shushed the people thinking I can’t run smooth, run fast, run athletic,” Evans admitted. “I feel like I put that perspective to rest. I feel like I did well today running smooth and fast. It was good.”

Linebacker Jack Kiser was another player the Colts paid close attention to during the pro day. Kiser spent time talking with Mason and Lacy off to the side during the event. Mason has a prior connection with Kiser, serving as Notre Dame’s special teams coordinator in 2022.

Kiser was the leader of the Fighting Irish defense last season, but spent his first few years in South Bend cutting his teeth on special teams. It is a role he is willing to embrace in the NFL as well.

“If you look at my six years at Notre Dame, starting on special teams really early on is where I made my mark,” Kiser explained. “I think I have at least 800 reps of special teams under my belt. … If you look at punt block unit or punt unit, there’s a lot of times I’m the one out there making the calls.

“I really took a lot of pride in being out there, executing, and then also helping the team make a play. Going into the NFL, that doesn’t change. Special teams is one of the best ways to find yourself on a roster.”

Kiser is an athletic linebacker who mixes it up against the run and is underrated in coverage. He also checks the character boxes the Colts have and was named the Linebacker of the Week at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Kiser is a name to watch for the Colts on Day 3 and could be the potential replacement for departed linebacker Grant Stuard.

Safety Xavier Watts and cornerback Benjamin Morrison are seen as Notre Dame’s top prospects heading into the draft. Morrison has not been able to participate in the on-field portion of the pre-draft process as he is recovering from hip surgery. Morrison revealed on Thursday that he is healty and plans to hold a private workout for teams before the draft.

Because Morrison has not been able to showcase his talents on the field, he has been relying on his film to do the talking. And if you ask Morrison, the film is all the proof that is needed that he will excel at the next level.

“I think for me, you’ve got to look at who I’ve gone against and what I’ve done,” Morrison stated. “At the end of the day, just watch my film. I think the film speaks for itself. The people I go against, I truly believe I eliminate guys from the game. … Look at the guys in the NFL who are exceeding at a high level and watch when I played them. Not to take anything away from their game, but I’m just saying that this is what I do.”

Watts had not participated in any on-field work until today. He showcased his explosiveness in the open field and fluid hips in positional drills. The safety also posted an unofficial 4.55 40-yard dash, a very good time for the All-American.

In a very good safety class, Watts believes what he put on film at Notre Dame will back up what he did at his pro day and prove why he is one of the best at his position.

“If you turn on the film, it is pretty self-explanatory,” Watts said. “Obviously, there is a lot of good guys in this class, but there is nobody like me. There is nobody who plays like me. I have the ball production to speak for it (13 interceptions over the last two seasons). But at the end of the day, (when) you turn on the film, there’s nobody like me.”

Watts and Morrison are expected to be the first two players from Notre Dame off the board on draft weekend. Both players would fit well in new Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defense. If either player were drafted to Indy, they would immediately make an impact on a unit that expects to be much improved in 2025.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.

INDIANAPOLIS — There is a lot of uncertainty with public health nationally and here in the Hoosier state right now.

This comes as the Trump Administration announced Tuesday it’s pulling back $11.4 billion in COVID-19-related funds for state and local public health departments and other health organizations.

Wellness Connection wants members of the Indianapolis community to know their voice matters and it’s important to take control of their health.

Barriers exist for Hoosiers to access healthcare.

“Barriers can be transportation, can be a mindset in our community. People are fearful of going to the doctor. I believe that’s a huge barrier for us,” Nina Coley with Cancer Support Community Indiana said.

Coley was one of the panelists at Wellness Connection’s Your Voice Matters Town Hall on Thursday.

WRTV

Her organization deals with people who’ve been diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones.

Coley says early detection is key.

“It is vital to go and get your breasts checked. Do your self-examinations. If you feel something, please make an appointment and get it checked out,” she said.

WRTV

Dr. Stephanie Young Moss with Community Action of Greater Indianapolis says it’s important for Hoosiers to learn to advocate for themselves.

“It’s important for people to realize that they know their bodies better than anyone, and it’s important for you, although you have a relationship with your doctor, to advocate for yourself and talk about things that may be bothering you,” Dr. Young Moss said.

WRTV

CAGI’s mission is to help those who cannot help themselves.

“Whether it’s helping with rental assistance or utilities, workforce development, and then also that wellness piece is very important,” she said.

Health experts have this advice for being proactive:

•See your primary care provider annually.
•Don’t delay; seek care soon.
•Take medications as prescribed.

There are chances for thunderstorms tonight with the rain sticking around this weekend so make sure you keep an umbrella and rain jacket close.

A hazardous weather outlook for Central Indiana said storms will increase overnight Thursday and may produce small hail. Periodic chances of more showers and thunderstorms will begin Friday with wind gusts up to 40 mph likely happening that afternoon.

National Weather Service Indianapolis said there are daily chances for rain this weekend. Friday is expected to be warm with storms in the morning tapering off into the afternoon, but meteorologists are watching Sunday closely for widespread severe weather across the region.

“An active weather pattern is expected late this week into the weekend with strong to severe thunderstorms possible late Thursday into Thursday night with a higher threat Sunday. Details remain uncertain at this time,” NWS Indianapolis posted on X.

Indianapolis weather radar: Rain, rain, when will you go away? This week’s Indianapolis weather forecast

Indianapolis weekend weather forecast

⛅ Thursday: Partly cloudy this morning skies before becoming cloudy in the afternoon. There is a slight chance of an afternoon shower. The high will be around 60 degrees.

🌩️ Thursday night: Cloudy skies will come early before thunderstorms develop late into the evening. The low will be around 50 degrees and there’s a 70% chance of rain.

🌧️ Friday: Rain ends early in the morning. There will be breaks of sun and wind in the afternoon. The high will be 77% degrees with a 60% chance of rain and winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

☁️ Friday night: Clear skies with a few passing clouds. The low will be 61 degrees with higher wind gusts being possible.

☁️/☁️ Saturday: Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower with a high of 69 degrees.

🌧️ Saturday night: Rain showers in the evening becoming a steady light rain overnight. The low will be near 60 degrees with a 70% chance of rain.

🌩️ Sunday: Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. There is a potential for severe thunderstorms with an 80% chance of rain. The high will be 71 degrees.

🌩️ Sunday night: Thunderstorms with a 90% chance of rain and a low of 46 degrees.

🌦️ Monday: Rain showers early with overcast skies later in the day. The high will be 49 degrees with a 40% chance of rain.

☁️ Monday night: Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. The low will be 33 degrees.

Los recursos del tiempo de Indiana en Español

Para residentes hispanohablantes en Indiana, IndyStar tiene una página web de recursos para el tiempo en Español. La página web es accesible aquí o visite weather.gov/ind/espanol para encontrar el pronóstico del tiempo diario, condiciones próximas e información adicional de seguridad de NWS.

Weather info you need

🚨 Indiana Weather Alerts: Warnings, Watches and Advisories.

⚡ Indiana power outage map: How to check your status.

💻 Internet outages: How to track them.

🚫 What you should and shouldn’t do when the power is out.

🐶 Your neighbor left their pet outside. Who you should call.

Where to report power outages and downed lines

• AES Indiana customers: 317-261-8111
• Duke Energy customers: 1-800-343-3525

How to report downed traffic signals or tree limbs blocking a road

If you encounter a downed traffic signal or a limb blocking a roadway, contact the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622 or online at RequestIndy.gov. When calling after hours, press “2” to be connected. 

Indianapolis and Indiana road conditions

Check road conditions at 511in.org.

Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.