.png) Leonard in 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
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| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1995-07-27)July 27, 1995 (age 30) 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) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2018: 2nd round, 36th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
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Darius Shaquille Leonard (born July 27, 1995) is an American former professionalfootballlinebacker. He playedcollege football for theSouth Carolina State Bulldogs and was selected in the second round of the2018 NFL draft by theIndianapolis Colts. In his rookie season, Leonard led the league in tackles and was named aFirst-Team All-Pro andDefensive Rookie of the Year; he was also voted into theNFL Top 100 the following offseason. Leonard has been informally nicknamed "Maniac" due to his energetic and productive on-field play.[1]
Leonard attended and playedhigh school football at Lake View High School inLake View, South Carolina.[2]
Leonard led SCSU intackles as aredshirt freshman in 2014, compiling 86, 14 for loss, fivesacks, and two forcedfumbles. He posted 70 stops the following year (2015), 131⁄2 of those for loss, with five sacks and twointerceptions to earn a first-team all-conference selection as a redshirt sophomore.[3] After the 2016 season, Leonard was named theMid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) defensive player of the year, making SC State the first school to win the award four years in a row.[4] Leonard finished the season with 124 tackles, 141⁄2 tackles for loss, 31⁄2 sacks, two interceptions, threepass break-ups, and four forced fumbles. He had an impressive game againstAtlantic Coast Conference powerhouseClemson, 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]
On November 20, 2017, it was announced that Leonard had accepted his invitation to play in the2018 Senior Bowl.[7] On January 27, 2018, Leonard played in the 2018 Senior Bowl and recorded a game-high 14 combined tackles (five solo) as part ofBill O'Brien's North team that defeated the South 45–16.[8] Leonard's performance at theSenior Bowl immensely helped his draft stock.[9] Leonard attended theNFL Scouting Combine, but was unable to complete all of his combine drills after injuring hisquadriceps while running his 40-yard dash. He completed the bench press, 40-yard dash, 20-yard dash, and 10-yard dash at the NFL Combine. On March 20, 2018, Leonard participated at South Carolina State'spro 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 byNFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the sixth best inside linebacker prospect in the draft by NFL analystMel Kiper Jr. and was ranked the seventh best outside linebacker by DraftScout.com.[10][11]
| 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 fromNFL Combine/South Carolina State's Pro Day[12][10] | ||||||||||||
TheIndianapolis Colts selected Leonard in the second round with the 36th overall pick in the2018 NFL draft.[13] Leonard was the sixth linebacker taken in the draft.[14]
On July 23, 2018, Leonard signed a four-year, $7.24 million contract that included $4.16 million guaranteed and asigning bonus of $3.35 million.[15]Leonard entered training camp slated as the starting weakside linebacker.[16] Head coachFrank Reich named Leonard the starting weakside linebacker to start the regular season in 2018, alongsideNajee Goode and middle linebackerAnthony Walker Jr.[17]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Leonard swoops in for recovery after blocked FG | |
| Darius Leonard’s top plays from Week 15 | |
| Blaine Gabbert gifts Leonard his first career INT | |
| 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 theCincinnati Bengals and recorded nine combined tackles and recovered a fumble in their 34–23 loss.[18] On September 16, 2018, Leonard collected a season-high 19 combined tackles (15 solo) and made his first career sack on Redskins' quarterbackAlex Smith during a 21–9 win at theWashington Redskins.[19] For his performance, he was named theAmerican 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' quarterbackCarson Wentz in the Colts' 20–16 loss at thePhiladelphia 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 theNew 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 theTennessee Titans in Week 11. Leonard intercepted a pass by Titans’ backup quarterbackBlaine Gabbert, that was intended for wide receiverTajae 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 theDallas 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 theTennessee 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] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[29]
The Colts finished second in theAFC South with a 10–6 record and earned a playoff berth.[30] 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 theHouston Texans in the AFCWild Card Round.[31] In theDivisional Round, a 31–13 loss to theKansas City Chiefs, he had 14 combined tackles (ten solo), one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.[32] He was ranked 26th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2019.[33]
In Week 2 against the Titans, Leonard made 10 tackles and one sack onMarcus Mariota as the Colts won 19–17.[34] 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 offDeshaun Watson in the 30–23 win.[35] In Week 10 against theMiami Dolphins, Leonard recorded a team high 13 tackles, sackedRyan Fitzpatrick once, intercepted a pass thrown by Fitzpatrick, and forced a fumble on tight endMike Gesicki which was recovered by teammateKenny Moore II in the 16–12 loss.[36] In Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans, Leonard recorded 12 tackles and sackedRyan Tannehill twice in the 31–17 loss.[37] In Week 14, against theTampa Bay Buccaneers, Leonard recorded nine tackles and intercepted two passes thrown byJameis Winston, one of which was returned for an 80 yard pick six, during the 38–35 loss.[38]
Following the season, he was voted into his firstPro Bowl appearance.[39] 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.[40][41] He also became the first NFL player since 1982 to have 10-plus sacks and five-plus interceptions in his first 25 games.[42] He additionally in 2019 became the eighth player in NFL history to record five sacks and five interceptions in a single season, joining the likes ofPro Football Hall of FamersBrian Urlacher,Wilber Marshall andLeRoy Butler; Leonard was the first to achieve the feat in fewer than 15 games.[43]
He was ranked 50th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2020.[44]
In Week 8 against theDetroit Lions, Leonard recorded a team high nine tackles and recorded a strip sack on quarterbackMatthew Stafford which was recovered by the Colts during the 41–21 win.[45]In Week 9 against theBaltimore Ravens, Leonard recorded a team high 15 tackles (13 solo) and recovered a fumble forced byDeForest Buckner onGus Edwards during the 24–10 loss.[46]In Week 12 against the Titans, Leonard recorded a team high 14 tackles and sackedRyan Tannehill once during the 45–26 loss.[47]In Week 15 against the Texans, Leonard led the team with 15 tackles and forced a fumble on wide receiverKeke Coutee that was recovered by the Colts during the 27–20 win.[48]In Week 17 against theJacksonville Jaguars, Leonard led the team with 10 tackles and recorded a strip sack onMike Glennon that was recovered by the Colts during the 28–14 win.[49]Leonard was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.[50] He was named to his second Pro Bowl and earned first team All-Pro honors.[51][52] In the 2020 season, Leonard had three sacks, 132 total tackles, seven passes defended, and three forced fumbles in 14 games and starts.[53] He was ranked 37th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2021.[54]
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.[55]
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.[56] In the 2021 season, Leonard had 122 total tackles, four interceptions, eight passes defended, and eight forced fumbles.[57] His eight forced fumbles led the NFL in the 2021 season.[58]
Leonard was named Associated Press First Team All-Pro.[59] 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.[60]
He was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl (third of his career).[61] He was ranked 18th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2022.[62]
During the following offseason, Leonard had surgery on his back to correct nerves being impinged by his disks.[63][64]
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 oninjured reserve on November 12, 2022, ending his season.[65][66]
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.[67] Leonard was waived by the Colts on November 21, 2023.[68]
On December 4, 2023, Leonard signed with thePhiladelphia Eagles.[69] He would go on to play in five games (including three starts) for the Eagles, recording one sack and 23 combined tackles.
On October 1, 2025 the Indianapolis Colts announced Leonard would retire as a Colt after not playing in the league for the 2024 season.[70] In 70 games with the team, he had 614 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 31 passes defensed, 12 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
Leonard is one of nine children born to a single mother. Inmiddle school, two of his older brothers were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment formurder. His older brother is former NFL playerAnthony Waters. After a November 11, 2017 game in which South Carolina State defeatedHampton, Leonard proposed to his girlfriend, Kayla, whom he had known since kindergarten.[71] In December 2018, Leonard announced that the couple were expecting a baby girl. On March 28, 2019, Mia Leonard was born. On June 4, 2021, they welcomed their second daughter, Laila.
Leonard appeared on the July 12, 2020, episode ofCelebrity Family Feud in which several NFL rising stars took on retired NFLHall of Famers, includingMichael Irvin andCris Carter.[72]
On July 26, 2022, at the Colts' training camp, Leonard told reporters that he preferred to be called by his middle name, Shaquille, rather than by his first name, Darius.[73]
