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."

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.

Leonard has helped the Fighting Irish ride a 13-game win streak heading into the national title game. En route to the matchup against Ohio State, Notre Dame has defeated Indiana, Georgia and Penn State in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.