Darius Leonard is an American professional football player who currently plays as a linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He was named First-Team All-Pro and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in his rookie season, was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons. Get all of the latest Darius Leonard news and stats here!
Born on July 27, 1995, in Lake View, South Carolina, Darius Leonard attended South Carolina State University, where he played college football. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Leonard quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the league. He made his professional debut and first career start in the Colts’ season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018, recording nine combined tackles and recovered a fumble in their 34-23 loss. Leonard had an outstanding rookie season, recording 163 combined tackles, eight pass deflections, seven sacks, and two interceptions in 15 games and 15 starts. His impressive performance earned him the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month award and the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award several times. He also broke the Colts’ franchise record for most tackles by a rookie in a single season and finished his rookie season leading all players in tackles. Leonard continued to excel in his second year, despite missing three games due to injury, and was voted into his first Pro Bowl appearance.
At 6 feet 2 inches tall and 230 pounds, Leonard is known for his speed, agility, and versatility on the field. He has a reputation as a hard hitter and is considered one of the best linebackers in the NFL. He is also known for his leadership skills, both on and off the field.
Off the field, Leonard is active in his community and is known for his charitable work. He established the Maniac Foundation in 2019 to provide resources and opportunities for underserved youth in his hometown of Lake View and other areas in South Carolina. He is also a dedicated family man and is married with two children.
