Erasmus Hall High School is alma mater of now national champion Curtis Samuel.

The freshman plays for the Ohio State Buckeyes. His high school coach Danny Landberg was in the stands during Monday's national championship game in Dallas, Texas.

Landberg has developed a friendship with Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer, someone he has told News 12 in the past that he sees as mentor. Now that his former player is on a national stage playing on Meyer's third championship team, Landberg says he feels a strong sense of pride.

"We're very that proud someone from Erasmus played in the championship game," said Landberg. "He represented us well as far as his play on the field, and his personality off the field and in the classroom."

Samuel's time at Erasmus was vital. Landberg ran a similar offense to what Coach Meyer runs, and it was that experience which allowed Samuel to make an impact during his freshman season.

Samuel is the second borough athlete to win a national championship in the last 10 months. Last March, South Shore alum Terrence Samuel won the NCAA's basketball title as part of the Connecticut Huskies. That championship was won in the same building in Dallas, Texas.