Shaquille Leonard

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Darius Leonard
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Shaquille Leonard
refer to caption
Leonard with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022
Personal information
Born: (1995-07-27) July 27, 1995 (age 28)
Nichols, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Lake View
(Lake View, South Carolina)
College:South Carolina State (2013–2017)
Position:Linebacker
NFL draft:2018 / Round: 2 / Pick: 36
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Interceptions:
12
Pass deflections:31
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Darius Shaquille Leonard (born July 27, 1995) is an

Defensive Rookie of the Year; he was also voted into the NFL Top 100 the following offseason. Leonard has been informally nicknamed "The Maniac" due to his energetic and productive on-field play.[1]

Early years

Leonard attended and played high school football at Lake View High School in Lake View, South Carolina.[2]

College career

Leonard led SCSU in

pass break-ups, and four forced fumbles. He had an impressive game against Atlantic Coast Conference powerhouse Clemson, totaling 19 tackles. Leonard saved his best for last, as he posted career highs in total tackles (113) and sacks (81⁄2) as a senior while picking off two more passes and forcing one fumble. His 73 solo tackles in 2017 put him in the Top 10 in the nation, and 41⁄2 of his sacks came in his final two games.[5] He also won the MEAC defensive player of the year award again after the 2017 season.[6]

Professional career

Pre-draft

On November 20, 2017, it was announced that Leonard had accepted his invitation to play in the

pro day and performed the rest of his combine drills. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Leonard was projected to be a second or third round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the sixth best inside linebacker prospect in the draft by NFL analyst Mel Kiper Jr. and was ranked the seventh best outside linebacker by DraftScout.com.[10][11]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split
20-yard shuttle
 Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m) 		234 lb
(106 kg) 		34+3⁄8 in
(0.87 m) 		10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		 4.70 s 1.69 s 2.77 s 4.63 s 7.37 s 38 in
(0.97 m)		 10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)		 20 reps
All values from
NFL Combine /South Carolina State's Pro Day[12][10]

Indianapolis Colts

2018

See also: 2018 Indianapolis Colts season

The Indianapolis Colts selected Leonard in the second round with the 36th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.[13] Leonard was the sixth linebacker taken in the draft.[14]

External videos
video icon Colts draft Darius Leonard 36th overall
video icon Instant Draft Grade: Darius Leonard

On July 23, 2018, Leonard signed a four-year, $7.24 million contract that included $4.16 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3.35 million.[15]

Leonard (center) in a game against the Tennessee Titans in November 2018.

Leonard entered training camp slated as the starting weakside linebacker.[16] Head coach Frank Reich named Leonard the starting weakside linebacker to start the regular season in 2018, alongside Najee Goode and middle linebacker Anthony Walker Jr.[17]

External videos
video icon Leonard swoops in for recovery after blocked FG
video icon Darius Leonard’s top plays from Week 15
video icon Blaine Gabbert gifts Leonard his first career INT
video icon Darius Leonard’s INT ices game for Indy

He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Colts' season-opener against the

Washington Redskins.[19] For his performance, he was named the American Football Conference (AFC) Defensive Player of the Week.[20] The following week, Leonard recorded 13 combined tackles (nine solo) and made two sacks on Eagles' quarterback Carson Wentz in the Colts' 20–16 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3.[21] On October 4, 2018, after totaling 54 combined tackles (which led the league, and was most by a player in first four weeks of the season since 1994) and four sacks (leading all rookies) in September, Leonard was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month.[22] Leonard was inactive for the Colts’ Week 5 loss at the New England Patriots due to an ankle injury he sustained the previous week.[23] On November 18, 2018, Leonard made seven combined tackles, one pass deflection, one sack, and his first career interception during a 38–10 victory against the Tennessee Titans in Week 11. Leonard intercepted a pass by Titans’ backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert, that was intended for wide receiver Tajae Sharpe, and returned it for a ten-yard gain during the third quarter.[24] In Week 15, Leonard broke the Colts' franchise record for most tackles by a rookie in a single season with 143, in a 23–0 win vs the Dallas Cowboys. In Week 17, Leonard broke the Colts’ franchise record for most tackles in a single season with 163, in a 33–17 win vs the Tennessee Titans. For his performance, Leonard was once again awarded with AFC Defensive Player of the Week.[25] Leonard was awarded the AFC Defensive Player of the Month award for December.[26] He finished his rookie season in 2018 with 163 combined tackles (111 solo), eight pass deflections, seven sacks, and two interceptions in 15 games and 15 starts.[27] Leonard led the NFL in solo tackles and combined tackles.[28]

The Colts finished second in the AFC South with a 10–6 record and earned a playoff berth.[29] On January 5, 2019, Leonard started in his first career playoff game and recorded 13 combined tackles (five solo) and broke up a pass attempt during a 21–7 victory at the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card Round.[30] In the Divisional Round, a 31–13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he had 14 combined tackles (ten solo), one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.[31] He was ranked 26th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.[32]

2019

Leonard at the 2020 Pro Bowl

In Week 2 against the Titans, Leonard made 10 tackles and one sack on Marcus Mariota as the Colts won 19–17.[33] After the game, Leonard reportedly felt concussion like symptoms and was forced to miss the next three games. He made his return in Week 7 against the Texans. In the game, Leonard recorded a team high ten tackles and an interception off Deshaun Watson in the 30–23 win.[34] In Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins, Leonard recorded a team high 13 tackles, sacked Ryan Fitzpatrick once, intercepted a pass thrown by Fitzpatrick, and forced a fumble on tight end Mike Gesicki which was recovered by teammate Kenny Moore II in the 16–12 loss.[35] In Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans, Leonard recorded 12 tackles and sacked Ryan Tannehill twice in the 31–17 loss.[36] In Week 14, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Leonard recorded nine tackles and intercepted two passes thrown by Jameis Winston, one of which was returned for an 80 yard pick six, during the 38–35 loss.[37]

Following the season, he was voted into his first Pro Bowl appearance.[38] Despite missing three games due to injury, Leonard had a team-leading 121 tackles including 71 solos, six tackles for loss, five sacks, six passes defended, five interceptions, and two forced fumbles.[39][40] He also became the first NFL player since 1982 to have 10-plus sacks and five-plus interceptions in his first 25 games.[41] He was ranked 50th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.[42]

2020

In Week 8 against the Detroit Lions, Leonard recorded a team high nine tackles and recorded a strip sack on quarterback Matthew Stafford which was recovered by the Colts during the 41–21 win.[43] In Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens, Leonard recorded a team high 15 tackles (13 solo) and recovered a fumble forced by DeForest Buckner on Gus Edwards during the 24–10 loss.[44] In Week 12 against the Titans, Leonard recorded a team high 14 tackles and sacked Ryan Tannehill once during the 45–26 loss.[45] In Week 15 against the Texans, Leonard led the team with 15 tackles and forced a fumble on wide receiver Keke Coutee that was recovered by the Colts during the 27–20 win.[46] In Week 17 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Leonard led the team with 10 tackles and recorded a strip sack on Mike Glennon that was recovered by the Colts during the 28–14 win.[47] Leonard was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.[48] He was named to his second Pro Bowl and earned first team All-Pro honors.[49][50] In the 2020 season, Leonard had three sacks, 132 total tackles, seven passes defended, and three forced fumbles in 14 games and starts.[51] He was ranked 37th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.[52]

2021

On August 8, 2021, Leonard signed a five-year, $99.25 million contract including a $52.5 million guaranteed extension with the Colts, making him the highest-paid outside linebacker in the NFL.[53]

In Week 15, Leonard had 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and an interception in a 27–17 win over the Patriots, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week.[54] In the 2021 season, Leonard had 122 total tackles, four interceptions, eight passes defended, and eight forced fumbles.[55] His eight forced fumbles led the NFL in the 2021 season.[56]

Leonard was named Associated Press First Team All-Pro.[57] He is a four-time All-Pro choice (First Team in 2018, 2020 and 2021; Second Team in 2019). Leonard has the most total All-Pro selections and the most First Team All-Pro selections by a linebacker in Colts history.[58]

He was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl (third of his career).[59] He was ranked 18th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.[60]

During the following offseason, Leonard had surgery on his back to correct nerves being impinged by his disks.[61][62]

2022

Leonard missed the first three weeks of the season while recovering from offseason back surgery. He returned in Week 4, and suffered a concussion and broken nose in the game, missing the next three games. He suffered a setback in his back injury leading up to Week 10 and was placed on

injured reserve on November 12, 2022, ending his season.[63][64]

Philadelphia Eagles

2023

In early November 2023, Leonard expressed his frustration over the Colts coaches choosing to give him limited defensive snaps in the 2023 season compared to previous seasons despite him feeling recovered from his back surgery.[65] Leonard was waived by the Colts on November 21, 2023.[66] On December 4, 2023, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.[67]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high
Regular season
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD
2018 IND 15 15 163 111 52 7.0 8 2 38 19.0 28 0 4 2 0
2019 IND 13 13 121 71 50 5.0 7 5 92 18.4 80T 1 2 0 0
2020 IND 14 14 132 86 46 3.0 7 0 0 0.0 0 0 3 2 0
2021 IND 16 16 122 75 47 0.0 8 4 12 3.0 7 0 8 3 0
2022 IND 3 1 11 8 3 0.0 1 1 15 15.0 15 0 0 0 0
2023 IND 9 9 65 34 31 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
PHI 5 3 23 12 11 1.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 75 71 637 397 240 16.0 31 12 157 13.1 80T 1 17 7 0
Postseason
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD
2018 IND 2 2 27 15 12 0.0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 0
2020 IND 1 1 12 9 3 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 3 3 39 24 15 0.0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 0

NFL awards

  • NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2018)
  • AP First Team All-Pro (2018; 2020; 2021)
  • AP Second Team All-Pro (2019)
  • 4x AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 2, 2018; Week 17, 2018; Week 17, 2020; Week 15, 2021)
  • AFC Defensive Player of the Month (December 2018)
  • NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month (September 2018)
  • 3x Pro Bowl (2019–2021)

Personal life

Leonard is one of nine children to a single mother. In middle school, two of his older brothers were arrested and sentenced to life for murder. He is also the younger brother to former NFL player Anthony Waters. On November 11, 2017, Leonard proposed to his girlfriend Kayla, whom he had known since kindergarten, after SC State beat Hampton.[68] In December 2018, Leonard announced the couple was expecting a baby girl. On March 28, 2019, Mia Leonard was born. On June 4, 2021, Leonard welcomed daughter Laila.

Leonard appeared on the July 12, 2020, episode of Celebrity Family Feud in which the NFL rising stars took on retired NFL Hall of Famers, which included players such as Michael Irvin and Cris Carter.[69]

On July 26, 2022, at the Colts' training camp, Leonard told reporters how he now requested to be called by his middle name, Shaquille, rather than his given first name, Darius.[70]

References

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  4. ^ Cook, Joe (December 7, 2016). "SCSU's Darius Leonard Is MEAC Defensive Player Of The Year". WLTX. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shaquille Leonard.
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