It is natural to presume that following in the footsteps of a Heisman Trophy Finalist, and one of the Pacific-10 Conference’s all-time prolific passers, would create a bundle of added pressure for anybody.
Not so for Oregon quarterback Brady Leaf.
The 6-foot-5, 223 pound Great Falls, Mont., native is the younger brother of Ryan Leaf, who led the Washington State Cougars to the 1998 Rose Bowl before his selection in the first round of the NFL Draft. He is also the third member of his family to compete in the Pac-10, as his cousin Matt Kegel quarterbacked Washington State during the 2003 season.
Yet, it is difficult to rattle the calm and composed demeanor of Brady Leaf these days, who dismisses any notion of extra pressure.
“I wanted to take a different path,” Leaf said, referring to his choice to play at Oregon instead of Washington State. “The coaches here are great, the players are great, and they brought me in as Brady Leaf, not Ryan’s little brother.”
Leaf’s unruffled manner is replicated on the field by his unrivaled poise in the pocket, which understandably draws many comparisons to his older brother.
Similarities between the two are abundant.
Brady, like Ryan, possesses ideal stature for the quarterback position, standing at 6-foot-5. Both strong-armed right-handers were three-sport athletes at C.M. Russell High School in Great Falls, and were coached by Jack Johnson, a state coaching legend of 33 years.
“They were both good competitors,” said Johnson, who won his 300th game this year. “I thought they’d both pretty much do anything to win a game.”
The national scene
After witnessing Ryan’s successful high-school and collegiate careers, Brady was eager to make a name and distinguish himself.
His chance came midway through his junior year when C.M. Russell’s starting quarterback was sidelined with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Brady started five games that season and threw for 1,194 yards and 12 touchdowns.
During his senior season, Leaf broke out in a major way by throwing for a school record 3,430 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading the Rustlers to the AA State Championship game.
Leaf also flashed his arm on the track and field team, placing second at state in the javelin competition his sophomore season.
“He was an all-around athlete and was always out doing something,” Johnson said.
After his high-school career, offers poured in for Leaf, who was named the Eastern Conference Offensive MVP and was named to the Tacoma News Tribunes’ Western One Hundred.
Washington State heavily pursued Leaf, as did Oregon, Oregon State, Wyoming and Boise State.
However, Leaf knew head coach Mike Bellotti and Oregon would suit him best.
Leaf first became acquainted with Bellotti at the age of nine, when the Ducks’ coach visited the Leaf family to recruit older brother Ryan.
“He liked the program, and the facilities are obviously some of the best,” John Leaf, Brady’s father, said. “He also liked the success of the Oregon program.”
Joining the Ducks
Leaf has seen limited action on the field thus far in his first two seasons at Oregon, but continues to contribute as the team’s placeholder and scout team member.
He was awarded for his game preparations four times in his career; once in 2004 against Indiana and three times against Arizona, California and Oregon State in 2003 during his redshirt season.
“That’s just Brady and the way he approaches life,” Ryan Leaf said. “He has handled his situation in a professional manner.”
Brady Leaf currently sits third on the depth chart at quarterback, behind incumbent Kellen Clemens and fleet-footed Dennis Dixon. Through it all; however, Leaf has maintained his usual positive outlook “I knew coming in that I would have to compete,” Leaf said. “I am just going to continue to progress and prove myself when I get my opportunity.”
His progress was never more evident than in the spring game, when Leaf outperformed all quarterbacks, completing 17 of 25 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown.
“I’m pleased with his progress. He has improved as an athlete and improved as a quarterback in this system,” Bellotti said. “He has the intangibles that could make him successful.”
Outside of football, Leaf has developed a strong rapport with Clemens. Leaf participated in Clemens’ wedding this past year.
“He is one of my closest friends,” Leaf said. “It’s hard not to gel with such a great teammate.”
Leaf has also sustained a high standard of excellence in the classroom and is considering a political science major, possibly law school.
“I couldn’t be happier or prouder of Brady,” Ryan Leaf said. “Ever since he stepped foot on that campus, he’s had a smile on his face. I am very proud of what he’s accomplished.”
Keeping close ties
Leaf’s family remains closely linked to his success. He maintains a strong relationship with his two brothers, Jeff, an actor in Los Angeles, and Ryan, who recently completed his degree at Washington State.
His mother Marcia, a surgical nurse, and his father, part-owner of an insurance company, have also played instrumental roles by encouraging each of their sons in all their endeavors. The two plan to attend each of Brady’s games in the future as they did Ryan’s.
“They are great role models,” Leaf said of his parents. “They taught me to be respectful on and off the field and have always been supportive.”
Leaf’s parents will be in the stands for Saturday’s game against his hometown team, Montana, the very team that Ryan first played against while at Washington State. Brady will be one of four team captains for today’s matchup.
“I am excited about it,” Leaf said, referring to the Montana game. “But I have to take it like another football game.”
“I am sure he would like to strut his stuff against the Grizzlies,” Johnson said. “It should be a fun match-up.”
But for now, Leaf is content with improving for the future in hopes of one day leading the Ducks.
“He is probably a better quarterback and more mature than I was at this point,” Ryan Leaf said. “He has all my best qualities and none of my bad ones.
“I think that when he gets the opportunity, everyone will be pleasantly surprised at what Brady Leaf brings to the table.”

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