Former NFL draft bust Ryan Leaf scores lead job on USA Network’s Pac-12 venture

Ryan Leaf has a new gig.

The former NFL quarterback, the No. 2 overall pick of the 1998 draft, has signed on with USA Network as an analyst for their Pac-12 college football coverage.

Leaf, an All-State basketball player in Montana, will also work a small number of the conference’s basketball games, The Athletic reported.

Ryan Leaf has joined USA Network to work as a college sports analyst Getty Images for SiriusXM

The ex-Chargers quarterback, who lasted just three seasons in the NFL, previously had roles with ESPN, The CW Network and the Pac-12 Network.

Following his brief NFL career, the 1997 Heisman Trophy finalist battled substance abuse issues and found himself in legal trouble several times as well.

He was arrested for battery in 2020 while at ESPN.

However, he’s now landed back at a major network for the new era of the Pac-12.

Leaf lasted just three years in the NFL with the Chargers. AP

After losing all but two of its members to the Big Ten and ACC, the school has new members ahead of the forthcoming college football season.

Alongside Oregon State and Washington State, the conference has welcomed Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State into their football competition.

A Washington State product himself, Leaf is intimately familiar with the conference and will add his expertise to this coming season.

The Cougars open their season at Washington (now of the Big Ten) on September 6.