Brian Leonard

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Brian Leonard
Date of birth	February 3, 1984
Place of birth	Gouverneur, NY
Position(s)	RB/FB
College	Rutgers University

Brian Leonard (born February 3, 1984 from Gouverneur, New York) is an American football player for Rutgers University. He is the Scarlet Knights' three-year star and has earned numerous awards for his play in the Big East Conference and is regarded as arguably the best fullback and one of the top all-purpose backs in college football. Leonard is renowned for his amazing athleticism for his size, hands, speed and leadership. He is famous for his "Leonard Leap" in which he will jump right over the heads of would-be tacklers. Rutgers faithful have taken to calling him Brian "Beast" Leonard.

In 2006, Leonard started the season being promoted as a Heisman Trophy candidate. He is prominently displayed at one of the world’s most famous landmarks thanks to a video clip currently airing on the NBC Astrovision by Panasonic in New York City’s Times Square. He will likely not win the Heisman due to the excellent play of Rutgers teammate sophomore tailback Ray Rice. Brian Leonard has the talent to be a starting RB in the NFL. But as a fullback he will most likely play the role of a power leading blocker and receiver out of the backfield because of his good hands. He has been recorded in the 40 at 4.47 and 4.52 (By comparison Emmitt Smith ran a 4.7).

"He's a very, very underrated player...he's the best running back I've played against since I've been in college." [This includes Kevin Jones, Julius Jones, Walter Reyes and Darius Walker] "That combination of power and speed is amazing. Some of the runs he makes in the open field, he can cut like a tailback. He jumps over safeties when they try and cut him, but then he runs over linebackers and defensive linemen. His combination of power and speed just makes him the best at what he does."

- Pitt LB H.B. Blades on Brian Leonard

The video includes shots of the famous “Leonard Leap” over defenders, while concluding with a “Leonard For Heisman” slogan. The video clip airs four times each hour daily on the NBC Astrovision by Panasonic. Leonard will be featured on the video screen through the end of September.[1]

[edit] School Records

In the Rutgers record books, Leonard currently ranks fourth all-time rushing yards (2,731), fourth all-time rushing touchdowns (32), sixth all-time receiving yards (1,858), first all-time receptions (205), tied for fourth all-time receiving touchdowns (13), second all-time all-purpose yards (4,589), first all-time combined touchdowns (45) and first all-time career points scored (272).

He can surpass J.J. Jennings' rushing TD record (34) with 3 touchdowns in the upcoming Texas Bowl versus Kansas State.