Brian Leonard
| Career history | |
|---|---|
| St. Louis Rams | |
Brian Leonard (born February 3, 1984 from Gouverneur, New York) is an American football player for the St. Louis Rams, and a former athlete from Rutgers University. He was the Scarlet Knights' three-year star and has earned numerous awards for his play in the Big East Conference. He is regarded as both a fullback and a running back, and was described as one of the top all-purpose backs in college football. Leonard is renowned for his athleticism due to his size, hands, speed, as well as his leadership, unselfish play and high character. He sometimes jumps over would-be tacklers. His jumps have been given the name of "Leonard Leaps".
College career
In 2006, Leonard started the season being promoted as a Heisman Trophy candidate. A video clip of Leonard, concluding with the slogan "Leonard for Heisman," was aired on the NBC Astrovision screen in New York City’s Times Square.[1] Despite being acknowledged as a Heisman candidate, Leonard elected to take on a diminished role as a blocker and allow Ray Rice to become a star. He was also named starting fullback on the 2007 Senior Bowl North Squad, where he finished with 16 yards rushing and 13 yards receiving, 3rd overall on the team in total yardage.
- "He's a very, very underrated player...he's the best running back I've played against since I've been in college." (This includes Kevin Jones, Julius Jones, Walter Reyes and Darius Walker) "That combination of power and speed is amazing. Some of the runs he makes in the open field, he can cut like a tailback. He jumps over safeties when they try and cut him, but then he runs over linebackers and defensive linemen. His combination of power and speed just makes him the best at what he does."
- - Pitt LB H.B. Blades on Brian Leonard
School records
In the Rutgers record books, Leonard finished his career ranked fourth all-time rushing yards (2,775), fourth all-time rushing touchdowns (32), sixth all-time receiving yards (1,864), first all-time receptions (207), tied for fourth all-time receiving touchdowns (13), second all-time all-purpose yards (4,639), first all-time combined touchdowns (45), and first all-time career points scored (272).
Awards
- 2006 National Football Foundation Draddy Trophy
- First-Team Pro Football Weekly All-American 2004 and 2005
- First-Team All-Big East 2004 and 2005, Second-Team All-Big East 2006
- Freshman All-American 2003
- College Football News Big East Freshman of the Year 2003
- 2006 ARA Sportsmanship Award
Professional career
NFL Draft prospect
As an NFL prospect, Leonard was targeted by almost every draft expert and website to be the top fullback (as well as one of the higher-ranked halfbacks) and most likely will be playing a hybrid halfback/fullback/H-Back position in the pros. Leonard was projected as a day one selection, as high as the first round. Since 1990, only three fullbacks have been chosen in the first round, including Tommy Vardell in 1992 and William Floyd in 1993. ESPN compared Leonard to Jaguars' back Greg Jones in their pre-draft speculations. At the 2007 NFL Combine Leonard was timed at 4.49 in the 40 yard dash, which is exceptionally fast for a fullback and above average for a running back; also, bench pressed 225 lbs 28 times (most of any running back). NFL Network's Mike Mayock had Leonard ranked as the #4 running back in the draft. SportingNews says of Leonard that he was "misused as a traditional fullback... would prosper in a one-back set..."
St. Louis Rams
On April 28, 2007, Leonard was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the second round with the 52nd overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft. Coach Scott Linehan has decided to use Leonard as a fullback, running back, and a special third-down back, which will give Steven Jackson a break. [1] Linehan has also stated that Leonard will receive 15-20 touches per game. [2] So far in rookie training camps, Leonard has been only one of two running backs, the other being Brad Lau. “We only have two backs right now so I am running in single back and halfback so I will be the running back unless we get another running back in here,” Leonard said. “It’s nice to get the reps, but it is tiring.” [3] Brian Leonard ran for the Rams first touchdown of the year against the Minnesota Vikings in preseason on August 10, 2007.[4]
Personal life
Leonard has been active in the community and has especially done considerable work with children. In 2006, Peter King wrote an article in Sports Illustrated in which he selected Leonard as his personal candidate for Sportsman of the Year due to Leonard's on- and off-field accomplishments.
In an interview, Brian Leonard claimed that his favorite baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals is Albert Pujols. Though he still remains primarily a New York Yankee fan. [5]
References
- ^ Thomas, Jim (May 13, 2007). "Safety Net: Rams foresee many uses for rookie Leonard". ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
- ^ Mantzouranis, Tom (May 24, 2007). "Will Brian Leonard Hurt Steven Jackson's Production?". AOL Sports. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
- ^ Wagoner, Nick (May 12, 2007). "Rookies Adjusting to NFL Tempo". St. Louis Rams. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
- ^ "Leonard, Lovell lift Rams past Vikings". Wire Reports. NFL.com. August 10, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
- ^ Thomas, Jim (05-13-2007). "Safety Net: Rams foresee many uses for rookie Leonard". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
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