Will Howard and Riley Leonard will put friendship on hold in the CFP title game as they prepare to face each other on the field. One night last June, these two quarterbacks shared a deep conversation about their families, faith, and future aspirations.
“Genuine conversation,” Leonard reflected on their bond during an interview on Saturday.
Howard and Leonard first crossed paths at the Manning Passing Academy two summers ago, but it wasn’t until seven months ago, when they became roommates at the quarterback camp in Thibodaux, Louisiana, that they truly connected.
“We were both kind of underdogs when we met at the Manning camp, and many people counted us out,” Leonard said. “Now, seeing where we are, it turns that conversation into something really special.”
Today, they find themselves in Atlanta, gearing up for Monday night’s College Football Playoff National Championship—Howard representing the Ohio State Buckeyes and Leonard leading the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
6
Ohio State Buckeyes
OSU
-8.5
-373
O 45.5
5
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
ND
+8.5
+294
U 45.5
Shared experiences have strengthened their friendship. Both have faced injuries and the challenges of transferring from lesser-known programs to prestigious universities. Each quarterback brings a wealth of experience, yet neither was initially seen as a star.
Howard led Kansas State to the 2022 Big 12 championship, earning second-team all-conference honors in 2023.
“I didn’t know much about Will,” Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson admitted. “But once I saw him lead and take charge of the offense, I knew we were in good hands.”
On the other hand, Leonard’s career took off at Duke in 2022, where he guided the Blue Devils to nine victories. He joined elite company, becoming one of the few quarterbacks that season to surpass 2,900 passing yards and 695 rushing yards.
The 2023 season began promisingly for Leonard, highlighted by a memorable win over Clemson. However, misfortune struck when he injured his ankle against Notre Dame, ultimately ending his season prematurely.
Howard has been the starting quarterback for Ohio State since the beginning of the season, overcoming close losses to Oregon and Michigan. His performance in the College Football Playoff has been impressive, completing 73.8% of his passes for 919 yards, with six touchdowns and two interceptions.
“If you had told an 18- or 19-year-old Will Howard that he would be at Ohio State playing for the national championship, he probably would have thought you were crazy,” Howard reflected. “Believing in yourself and adapting to change have been key themes in my journey.”
Meanwhile, Leonard has spearheaded Notre Dame’s impressive playoff run, which has seen them win 13 consecutive games. He has completed 67% of his passes for 514 yards and three touchdowns, while also contributing with his legs, rushing 43 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns. A standout moment was his leap over a Georgia defender for a pivotal third-down conversion.
“In the most critical moments, he wants the ball in his hands, and he usually makes a play,” said Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman.
Now, just seven months after their time as roommates, Howard and Leonard are set to compete against each other in the biggest game of their careers.
“Seeing how far we’ve come is really exciting because I have a lot of respect for him,” Leonard stated. “I always cheer for fellow quarterbacks, especially after meeting them at that camp. It reminds me that we are all just young athletes striving to represent our teams and universities.”
