COLUMBUS, Ohio— Will Howard of Ohio State and Riley Leonard of Notre Dame will face off in the National Championship game on Monday, but the quarterbacks have a connection beyond the game in Atlanta.
They were housemates last year.
Howard and Leonard met during their brief visit in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where they shared a living space at the Manning Passing Academy, a camp organized by Archie, Eli, Peyton, and Cooper Manning.
“It (was) really cool to have those late-night conversations with him just about life and whatever,” Leonard told reporters this week. “To see where we are now, it’s really cool because he’s a person I respect a lot.”
They initially met in 2023 at a camp. Howard represented Kansas State at the time, while Leonard attended Duke.
When they returned last June, they were put as roommates with Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and Wisconsin’s Tyler Van Dyke.
Howard and Leonard were in a new world at the time, having recently transferred schools.
“At the time, we weren’t really the big names at the camp,” according to Leonard. “We were just two dudes hustling, trying to compete and make a name for ourselves.”
They’ve met, if not surpassed, the high standard they set with their new initiatives.
“We probably wouldn’t have imagined that a couple months later here we are playing for the national championship for two new schools,” Howard recalled. “It’s pretty cool.” He’s a fantastic guy, and I admire him not only as a player, but also as a man and a man of faith.”
Leonard’s reciprocating praise included praises on Howard’s worth as a roommate.
“Clean guy,” Leonard stated. “We were just there for three or four nights, and the majority of the guys are always watching out for one another. “One guy will go get food and bring it back for the rest of the guys.”