Riley Leonard needed a new team. Notre Dame needed a new quarterback. It was the perfect match — and a mutually beneficial partnership as Leonard led the Fighting Irish to the National Championship Game in his lone season in South Bend.

Ohio State coaches and players view Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard as “a driving force” of the Fighting Irish with his running ability, leadership and competitiveness.

He’s been somebody who’s led by example,” the Irish QB said of his grandfather. “A lot of the lessons I’ve learned have come from him."

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard thinks a higher power is responsible for his team’s national championship matchup against Ohio State

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard’s girlfriend, Molly Walding was on cloud nine after the Fighting Irish beat Penn State 27-24 in the Orange Bowl Thursday to punch their ticket to the

Ohio State had a couple snoozers to start things off as they dominated their first two CFP games. Ohio State blew out Tennessee at home in the first round as they won 42-17, and then they smoked one seed Oregon in the quarterfinals as it was 31-0 halfway through the second quarter. They cruised to a 41-21 win.

On December 12, 2023, Riley Leonard decided to transfer to Notre Dame after spending his first three seasons of college football with the Duke Blue Devils. One year later, Leonard is now one win away from winning the College Football Playoff national championship.

When Ohio State battles Notre Dame in the National Championship, they will be going up against a quarterback they were interested in making a Buckeye. After Fighting Irish QB Riley Leonard entered the transfer portal from Duke,