By Adeniyi Precious 
Riley Leonard was one of the first quarterbacks Ohio State looked at when they were searching for a new starter last offseason. Now, he’s set to face off against them in the national championship.
Leonard, who transferred from Duke to Notre Dame, was a top target for the Buckeyes after Kyle McCord’s departure. But despite interest from Ohio State, Leonard chose the Fighting Irish. That worked out fine for Ohio State, as they ended up with Kansas State’s Will Howard, who’s been playing so well that he’s close to breaking Ohio State’s single-season completion percentage record.
But now, Leonard and Notre Dame stand between the Buckeyes and a national title, and Leonard’s abilities—especially his running game—are why he’ll be a challenge for Ohio State’s defense. Coach Ryan Day respects Leonard’s leadership, toughness, and the way his team follows his lead.
“He’s a great athlete with a strong mindset. He plays tough, and you can tell his teammates feed off his energy,” Day said. “A lot of respect for his game.”
Leonard and Howard have a lot in common. Both were starters at big schools before transferring to lead their new teams to the national championship. They’ve both earned praise for their leadership and confident personalities. In fact, the two were roommates at the Manning Passing Academy over the summer and have a mutual respect for one another.
“It’s crazy we’re here playing for the national title, especially after we both moved to new teams,” Howard said. “Riley’s a great guy and a man of faith. I respect him as a player and a person.”
While Leonard isn’t as prolific a passer as Howard, he’s been key to Notre Dame’s success this season. Leonard has thrown for 2,606 yards and 19 touchdowns, with a solid 66.4% completion rate. While his passing numbers don’t match Howard’s, Leonard has been able to lead Notre Dame to all but one win this season.
Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who has experience facing Leonard from his time at Duke, spoke highly of him: “He’s tough, fast, and won’t back down. He’ll keep fighting no matter what.”
Leonard’s biggest weapon is his running ability. With 866 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns this season, he’s one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. Add in Notre Dame’s solid running backs like Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, and the Irish’s rushing offense is a major force. While Ohio State’s defense has been dominant in stopping the run this year, it will face its toughest challenge yet in stopping Leonard and the Irish’s ground game.
“It adds a whole new layer,” said Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. “A running quarterback forces you to adjust and add more defenders to the box. It makes things tricky for us.”
Styles also pointed out that Leonard is a big reason why Notre Dame’s offense works, especially on crucial downs. Leonard’s leadership and playmaking ability keep the offense moving forward.
His brother, Ohio State cornerback Lorenzo Styles Jr., who played at Notre Dame, also emphasized Leonard’s toughness and leadership. “He’s a big part of their success. You can see it on tape, his athleticism and physicality stand out. He’s a true leader on that team.”
Despite these challenges, Ohio State’s defense has been tested against strong quarterbacks all season, including running threats like Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel. Ohio State also has their own dual-threat QB in Howard, whose competitiveness and leadership are a big part of why they’re playing for the title.
“Will’s leadership is huge for us, and he’s had a big impact on the team in a short time,” Day said. “He’s locked in and ready to finish this right.”