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."

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was ushered off the field by officials after a possible concussion in the Orange Bowl against Penn State, but returned.

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.

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,