While Riley Leonard shines before the nation in the College Football Playoffs, his girlfriend, Molly Walding, has caught the attention of the masses.
Leonard and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will compete in the playoff semifinal as they star in the Orange Bowl against Penn State on Thursday night.
Following Notre Dame’s Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia on Jan. 2, fans began noticing Walding on social media.
The Alabama native attended Auburn University, where he studied hospitality business and management.
Walding was very involved in Auburn Community Church and Chi Omega Sorority in addition to her academics. She now works as a student recruiter for the University.
Both hailing from the Yellow Hammer State, they started dating in high school and recently celebrated their seventh anniversary.
Riley Leonard’s girlfriend Molly Walding is trending on social media ahead of the Orange Bowl
Leonard will lead the Notre Dame Fighting Irish against Penn State on Thursday night.
Walding had backed up the quarterback during his years at Duke before transferring last year.
Walding and Leonard are Alabama natives and have been dating since high school.
After Notre Dame defeated Indiana in the first round of the postseason, Walding posted a video montage of their long partnership.
‘Celebrating an Irish victory and celebrating our 7 years!!!!! I couldn’t be more grateful for you,’ she captioned.
Leonard spent his first three college seasons at Duke before transferring to Notre Dame and having an incredible senior year with the Fighting Irish.
In their win over the Bulldogs, the quarterback completed 15 of 24 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. Against Indiana, he was 23 of 32 for 201 yards and a touchdown while rushing into the end zone once.
This season, he totaled 232 completions on 349 attempts for 2,838 yards and 18 touchdowns and ran for 15 scores.
The Fighting Irish’s only loss was against Northern Illinois in November. They are looking to win their twelfth national title and first since 1988.