Nevertheless, Leonard didn’t have to think very long about where he wanted to go. He’d grown up a fan of Notre Dame — his great-grandfather, James Curran, played for the Fighting Irish in the 1940s — and committed in mid-December.

The one common denominator between the Irish teams that lost to Ohio State in the past two seasons was quarterback play. It wasn't Leonard then. but it's Leonard now.

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."

On this Friday Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis are breaking down the matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This one is Ohio State’s defense vs.

There are several parallels in the Notre Dame and Ohio State matchup in the National Championship. Both teams have a third year defensive coordinator, both teams have proven first year offensive coordinators,

Quarterback Riley Leonard and the Notre Dame offense have faced a fierce gauntlet of defenses in their path to the College Football Playoff title game.

Megan Briggs/Getty Images Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard argued this year's national championship game is the work of some divine intervention. Leonard, 22, and the Fighting Irish will face The Ohio State University in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday,

The No. 7 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish are gearing up for one of their biggest games in program history on Monday night when they face off against the No. 8