{"id":42459,"date":"2018-04-19T17:22:52","date_gmt":"2018-04-19T21:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=42459"},"modified":"2025-09-25T12:00:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T16:00:48","slug":"darius-leonard-2018-nfl-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/04\/19\/darius-leonard-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Darius Leonard 2018 NFL Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview
\n<\/strong>Position:\u00a0<\/strong>Outside linebacker
\nHeight:\u00a0<\/strong>6’2″
\nWeight:\u00a0<\/strong>213 pounds
\nPosition:\u00a0<\/strong>South Carolina State Bulldogs<\/p>\n

Combine Performance Data
\n<\/strong>40-yard dash:\u00a0<\/strong>4.7 seconds
\nBench press:\u00a0<\/strong>17 reps<\/p>\n

Darius Leonard 2018 NFL Draft Profile<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The brother of former Clemson linebacker Anthony Waters<\/a><\/strong>, Darius Leonard<\/strong> dreamt of following his older brother’s footsteps and playing football for the Tigers in Death Valley. However, he never received the scholarship phone call from head coach Dabo Swinney<\/strong>. In fact, the Tigers told Leonard that he could try out for the program as a preferred walk-on. But being rejected by Clemson did not stop Leonard’s pursuit in becoming an NFL player. Instead, it was his biggest motivation.<\/p>\n

Leonard was 180 pounds coming out of Lakeview High School and was considered too small by plenty of Division I programs to deserve a scholarship. Instead, he received a scholarship from South Carolina State University and committed to continue his football career there. Leonard redshirted his first year with the Bulldogs but the following season, he made an immediate impact and led the team with 85 tackles to go along with 14 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two forced fumbles. As a redshirt sophomore, Leonard recorded 70 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions and earned his first First Team All-MEAC selection.<\/p>\n

As a redshirt junior, Leonard finally got the chance to face Clemson and even though his team may have lost, Leonard had the performance of a lifetime. He finished the game with 19 tackles and a blocked field goal but most importantly, rode that momentum and had a career year. Leonard recorded 124 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and four forced fumbles while on his way to winning the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.<\/p>\n

In his final year with the Bulldogs, Leonard recorded 113 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble. His performance earned him an invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl where she stood out all week during practice and showcased his abilities to both drop back in coverage and be a factor in the run game.<\/p>\n

Strengths<\/h3>\n