Here's why Notre Dame football QB Riley Leonard decided to leave Duke and transfer to the Fighting Irish this offseason:

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard, 22, majored in public policy at Duke with a minor in markets and management studies.

Notre Dame starting quarterback Riley Leonard has proven to be a difficult quarterback to prepare for as the Irish sit one game away from a national championship appearance. While Leonard doesn't always jump off the page with his arm talent,

The Fighting Irish star ranks among the top 10 nationally in rushing yards and touchdowns by a quarterback this season.

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard has a chance to continue building upon his success as he faces Penn State in the Orange Bowl this week.

If an NFL team does select Leonard in April, he’d likely be viewed as a developmental prospect or depth option rather than as an immediate starter. Other draft ‘big boards ’ do have Leonard as a lower ranked draft prospect and rate him as a projected sixth round pick.

Notre Dame is riding a 12-game win streak, having defeated Indiana and Georgia in the first two rounds of the postseason. They're now set to face the Penn State Nittany Lions at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Notre Dame is fresh off its biggest win in 30 years. Can it record an even bigger one on Thursday night in Miami?

Walding is the longtime girlfriend of Notre Dame’s quarterback Riley Leonard. Born on October 2, 2002, she currently works part-time as a sales employee for Christina Lynn. She is known to be involved in organizations like Auburn Community Church and Chi Omega Fraternity.

Irish Breakdown makes predictions for the upcoming matchup between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Penn State Nittany Lions

With just under six minutes left to play in Thursday's Sugar Bowl, Notre Dame held a 23-10 lead against Georgia and faced a third-and-seven. The Fighting Irish