Jeremy Leman

J Leman

Leman (47) during his tenure with the Fighting Illini
Minnesota Vikings
Career information
College:	Illinois
Undrafted:	2008
Career history
Minnesota Vikings (2008-present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-American (2007) National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete (2007) First-team All-Big Ten (2007) First-team All-Big Ten (2006)

Jeremy Jacob “J” Leman (born March 1, 1985 in Champaign, Illinois) is a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings. Leman joined the team as a free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. He is expected to compete for a roster spot this summer.

Early Years

Leman (47) and Illinois' other captains take the field.

Leman was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. He enjoyed a stellar prep career at Champaign Central High School where he played middle linebacker and tight end. During his senior year, he tallied 191 tackles and was named to the prestigious Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All State Team.

Leman graduated from the U of I with a speech communications degree and a master's degree in Human Resource Education. He comes from a family of 4 other siblings. He has two older brothers, one older sister and one younger brother (Cory Leman) who plays football for Eastern Illinois University.

Leman's parents pastor the Vineyard Church in Urbana, Illinois.

Collegiate Career & Stats

A NCAA consensus All-American in 2007, Leman was also named to the Big Ten's first team defense in 2006 and 2007. Leman started over 40 games at linebacker during his tenure at Illinois. Durning the 2007 campaign, Leman led the Orange and Blue to nine wins and helped the team earn a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Leman stands at sixth place on Illinois' all time tackle list. His 152 tackles in the 2006 season ranked #1 in the Big Ten and are the sixth best single-season effort ever posted by an Illini gridder. He also ranks fifth on the Illinois' charts in career tackles for loss.

Illinois			Defensive Stats
Season	Games		Tackles	T/Loss	Sacks	Forced Fumbles	Interceptions
2004	11		56	3	1.5	1	0
2005	11		67	5.5	0	2	0
2006	12		152	19	4	2	0
2007	13		132	10.5	2.5	1	1
Total	47		407	39.5	8.5	6	1

NFL Career

On April 28th, 2008, Leman signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent.

External links

File:Osu goes down.jpg

Leman & teammates celebrate in front of a shocked 'Shoe after upsetting #1 Ohio State in 2007.

• J Leman, University of Illinois Player Bio
• jleman.com
• 2007 College Football All-America Team
• 2007 AFCA All-American Team
• 2007 FWAA All-American Team
• 2007 All Big Ten Team
• 2006 All Big Ten Team
• 2006 SI.com All-American Team

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