Can a guy a little too small for a NFL fullback and not quite fast enough to be an NFL running back find a home in the NFL? More to the point, is there a star in Brian Leonard's future, or will he be relegated to being the best special teams demon sine Don Beebe?
Brian Leonard: Running Back/Fullback, Rutgers
What NFL scouts are saying:
NFL.com
Positives: Solidly built with above-average strength, thick thighs and calves, good bubble, tight waist, broad shoulders and good arm-muscle definition ... Has excellent speed for his position, showing the upper body strength and leg drive to create and maintain a rush lane as a lead blocker ... Has a good short area burst through the creases and the change-of-direction agility to make the initial tackler miss ... Shows the plant-and-drive agility to make precise cuts ... Has very good balance and body control throughout his stride, demonstrating fluid flexibility and quickness getting to top acceleration
Negatives: When he gets too erect in his stance, he will lose some base and get pushed back through the rush lane ... While Leonard has had success bouncing outside to gain yardage in the past, he was used mostly on runs between the tackles as a senior ... Seems to have the speed to get outside, make the cut and turn it up the field, but he tends to lose his body lean and get too high in his stance, leaving his feet exposed for shoestring tackles
Probably Getting Drafted...
Most likely on the first day, but depending on team needs (our favorite get out of jail free phrase) could fall to an early second day draft pick.
Guy Who Watched Him for Four Years is Saying
Outside of maybe Brian Brohm from Louisville, no opposing player has scared me more over the last four years than Brian Leonard. He has a list of intangibles as long as my arm. He's the guy you just don't see coming. He's not overly big for a fullback, or a running back for that matter, but he has to be the most tough nosed player I've seen in the Big East that I can remember. He's also a character guy. When his older brother Nate was being recruited out of high school, he got some leg injury I believe that made most of the schools back away from him besides Rutgers. So when it came time for Brian to choose, he went with Rutgers for being loyal to his brother. And oh yeah, he's got some ups for a white kid. Someone is going to get a steal in this draft when they take Leonard. That much is certain!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-19-2007 @ 11:05PM
Adam said...
He's really somewhat overrated as a blocker, at least from my experience watching him and other reports I've read. With 4.5 speed and great athletic ability for his size, the guy is a legit running back, its just a shame the Faulk's and Vermeil's of the world don't want to give him credit.
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4-19-2007 @ 11:17PM
John Radcliff said...
If he gets with the right team, I think he can make a splash! Bout time for the Steelers to start looking for someone like him don't ya think? Thanks for the comment Adam!
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4-20-2007 @ 7:13AM
mike said...
"And oh yeah, he's got some ups for a white kid." How could you allow a racist statement like this in your article? If someone were to say "Calvin Johnson is smart for a black kid." it would be viewed at insensitive and racist.
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4-20-2007 @ 7:16AM
John Radcliff said...
Mike, since I'm white, I don't have a problem saying something about another white person. It seems to me that that's the way it works in this world. There is a movie called "White Men Can't Jump" ya know.
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4-20-2007 @ 8:20AM
Martin said...
Rutgers fans would love a local team to draft him. He
provided a new pride to New Jersey football fans that was lacking for a longtime.
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4-20-2007 @ 9:43AM
Chris371 said...
According to wikipedia leonard runs a 4.49. For comparison, Running back star Emmitt Smith only ran a 4.7.
Hes also the strongest RB in the draft. Hes good enough to be starting back in the league.
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4-23-2007 @ 6:54AM
mike said...
Those kinds of stereotypes are what hold back white running backs.
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4-20-2007 @ 9:37PM
Beat Visitor said...
Writing as someone else who has watched Brian Leonard for four years (rooting for him, not fearing him), I pledge that I'll transfer my NFL loyalties to ANY team that drafts him and gives him a chance to really show his versatility as a runner, receiver, blocker, AND leader. His part in lifting the Scarlet Knights to their current level, inspiring players, fans, writers, and coaches with his integrity and work ethic cannot be overestimated.
He's going to be a star somewhere. I just hope it's somewhere in the New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania area (but I'd even root for him if he went to the hated Cowboys).
Go Knights!
http://www.beatvisitor.com
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4-21-2007 @ 1:18AM
kat10 said...
Mike you've gotta be kidding me...those stereotypes hold back white running backs? LOL please enlighten me on how a stereotype can hinder the way a player performs? How about the fact that they just plain aren't as good as most black running backs...ever think of that one? Stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason...they hold a lot of truth, including this one.
A real stereotype that can hold back a player is saying a black qb isn't a good one because he's black and he runs but can't throw. A WHITE coach is less likely to play him (maybe not so much now but in the past). Not only has that been proven to be wrong on numerous occassions, but it's mainly fuled by racist undertones saying a QB is intelligent and is the main leader of a team therefore he CANNOT be black.
Move over to the "white RBs aren't as good as black RBs"...that in no way, shape, or form holds back a player's chance to play. Most of the time it's just a joke when people say that. If a RB is more talented, he's not looked to as a true leader figure like a QB is and most say you don't have to be "intelligent" to play it...just freakishly athletic and have great vision. Back to Leonard...he plays fullback, not runningback and in 2007, fullback is pretty much a dead position with regards to ball carrying. Also, most RBs are black...how many white RBs are out there anyways? Not many good enough to play for a D1 school, and I can almost guarantee that it's not because of racism.
Pathetic.
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4-22-2007 @ 12:25AM
Adam Nettina said...
Kat10,
If you think racial "slotting" doesn't play a role in football (at any level) you need a wakeup call my friend. It's been a fairly established truth that a number of talented white players at the High School and college level (Tim Shaw anyone?) have been moved to more "acceptable" positions on defense such as linebacker or safety at the next level. While I agree racial undertones held back black QBs for a number of years and perhaps are still at work today, one can't deny the fact that black QBs have made major strides based off the opportunities they have been given, as opposed to say the white RB or CB, who've really never been given a chance in today's NFL. Why can’t white players be given these same oppertunities? And yes, there are examples, but your obviously not attune enough to the college and pro game to realize this. The fact that Leonard gets stigmatized with being “too slow” or “not explosive enough” are prime examples of people not taking the time to watch the guy’s tape and assigning stereotypical labels to him. It’s the same case as the assumption many make about his blocking skills, which are good, but not great.
This is an issue of just giving a guy a chance. Is Leonard going to be a great back in the NFL? I don't know. He could flop, or he could shine, but doesn't he at least deserve a shot? From what you're saying I guess not, and I can't help but question why people seem so feverishly against the guy getting reps at the RB position. Perhaps your famed racial undertones?
I hate to make this an issue, I really do, but I think a number of fans can see this for what it really is, and as much as political correctness holds us back, are starting to talk about it in a candid matter.
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4-22-2007 @ 12:24AM
Lars said...
Blacks are better athletes and whites are smarter. Not many good white runners and not many well run black countries. Correct?
We both stated the obvious but I'll be the one accused of racism, right?
Or maybe to a degree blacks have been victims of stereotypes...as have white athletes.
Thoughts?
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4-29-2007 @ 9:59AM
mdicorci said...
All of the NFL's Runninbacks are African American, and yet again Brian has been drafted as a fullback even though his more proliferous years have been at Runningback.
read this article
www.thefootballexpert.com/krow070003.html
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