Chris Leak attended Independence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina where he was a four-year starter at quarterback. He was team captain as a sophmore, leading Independence to a state championship. He was named MVP of the championship game and received first team all-state honors. He was also named North Carolina gatorade player of the year and North Carolina offensive player of the year. As a junior, Leak once again led Independence to a state championship. The team was ranked 6th in the nation at the conclusion of the season. He was MVP of the championship game and first team all-state. He was named Gatorade player of the year for North Carolina and was the runner-up for North Carolina offensive player of the year. As a senior Leak served as team captain for the third consecutive season. He led Independence to a third straight state championship and a 46th straight win. He was named MVP of the championship game and first team all-state. Independence was ranked 3rd in the nation at the end of the season. He was named North Carolina's Gatorade player of the year for the third consecutive year and North Carolina's offensive player of the year for the second time in three years. He became the first player in history to win North Carolina's Mr. Football award twice. He won the Ken Hall High School player of the year award. He owned 16 school records and was second in national history with 15,593 career passing yards. He played in the U.S. Army all-American bowl and was named MVP of the game. He also participated in the Shrine Bowl and was named offensive MVP. Leak was considered to be the top prospect in the state and the top quarterback prospect in the nation. He was recruited by Texas, Florida State, Notre Dame, Iowa, USC, North Carolina, and Tennessee, but he opted to attend the University of Florida instead. Leak started nine games as a true freshman, completing 190 of 320 passes for 2,435 yards and 16 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He was named to various freshman all-American teams at the conclusion of the season. Leak returned to start every game as a sophomore, completing 238 of 399 pass attempts. He had career highs in yards (3,197) and touchdown passes (29). He was named second team all-SEC for his play as a sophomore. As a junior, Leak once again started every game for the Gators, completing 235 of 374 attempts for 2,639 yards and 20 touchdowns with a career low 6 interceptions. Leak could've left school early for the NFL draft, but he opted to return to Florida for his senior season.

Chris Leak has a ton of experience against top competition, having started at quarterback for the past four seasons for the Florida Gators in the SEC. During that time he has proven to be a very durable player who hasn't missed a game due to injury. He is an intelligent player who knows how to read defenses. He is a true "student of the game" who spends alot of time studying film. Leak is a pocket passer with enough arm strength to make all the throws required of an NFL quarterback and pretty good accuracy as well. He isn't a running quarterback by any means, but he is mobile enough to escape the rush, get out of the pocket and make an accuarte throw on the run. He can make a play with his feet when needed. The biggest question with Leak is going to be his size. He lacks the ideal height for an NFL quarterback. Michael Vick and Drew Brees are two NFL quarterbacks who have had success without prototypical height, but they are the exception, not the rule. Chris Leak should be a second day pick in the 2007 NFL draft.