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Small schools are producing more and more NFL prospects. South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard is no different. He led the Bulldogs with 114 tackles (73 solo) and 8.5 sacks during his senior season while continuing his development into an NFL prospect.
The 6’3, 235-pound Leonard spent much of his college career bulking up to fill his role in the middle of the Bulldogs defense. He found his groove during his junior season, racking up 124 tackles (78 solo) and 3.5 sacks.
Leonard still has much to prove if he is going to succeed in the NFL. He will face a massive step up in competition at the professional level, but Leonard exhibited plenty of resilience after Clemson snubbed him during recruitment. Leonard landed with the S.C. State and used the opportunity to develop his game.
Breaking it down
Awards: 2016 and 2017 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year
2016 and 2017 SBN Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year
Combine numbers: N/A
Pros:
Playmaker – Leonard makes his presence known on almost every play. He never fails to at least be in the vicinity of a ball-carrier within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Leonard also moves well going sideline to sideline and consistently makes plays in the opposing backfield. He’s willing to put his body on the line to make a play, even on shoestring tackles. Finally, Leonard worked hard to gain weight for his position. He will enter the NFL at the right size to play inside linebacker.
Weaknesses:
First step – Film study showed that sometimes Leonard doesn’t make a strong first step to the football. When he decides it’s time to go, he moves well, but it’s that first step that haunts him. Leonard also tends to get stuck on blocks. If he can develop better technique for block shedding, Leonard can make an impact on an NFL roster.
Derek Ciapala has been following the Rams since childhood. He has been published on Yahoo! Sports, Sports Out West and multiple other websites. You can check him out on Facebook or Twitter @dciapala.
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Small schools are producing more and more NFL prospects. South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard is no different. He led the Bulldogs with 114 tackles (73 solo) and 8.5 sacks during his senior season while continuing his development into an NFL prospect.
The 6’3, 235-pound Leonard spent much of his college career bulking up to fill his role in the middle of the Bulldogs defense. He found his groove during his junior season, racking up 124 tackles (78 solo) and 3.5 sacks.
Leonard still has much to prove if he is going to succeed in the NFL. He will face a massive step up in competition at the professional level, but Leonard exhibited plenty of resilience after Clemson snubbed him during recruitment. Leonard landed with the S.C. State and used the opportunity to develop his game.
Breaking it down
Awards: 2016 and 2017 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year
2016 and 2017 SBN Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year
Combine numbers: N/A
Pros:
Playmaker – Leonard makes his presence known on almost every play. He never fails to at least be in the vicinity of a ball-carrier within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Leonard also moves well going sideline to sideline and consistently makes plays in the opposing backfield. He’s willing to put his body on the line to make a play, even on shoestring tackles. Finally, Leonard worked hard to gain weight for his position. He will enter the NFL at the right size to play inside linebacker.
Weaknesses:
First step – Film study showed that sometimes Leonard doesn’t make a strong first step to the football. When he decides it’s time to go, he moves well, but it’s that first step that haunts him. Leonard also tends to get stuck on blocks. If he can develop better technique for block shedding, Leonard can make an impact on an NFL roster.
Derek Ciapala has been following the Rams since childhood. He has been published on Yahoo! Sports, Sports Out West and multiple other websites. You can check him out on Facebook or Twitter @dciapala.
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