J Leman

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J Leman

Leman (47) during his tenure with the Fighting Illini
Minnesota Vikings ā€” No. 49
Inside Linebacker
Date of birth: March 1, 1985 (1985-03-01) (age 23)
Place of birth: Champaign, Illinois
Height:ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 245 lb (111 kg)
National Football League debut
No regular season or postseason appearances
Career history
College: Illinois
Undrafted in 2008
 Teams:
Current status: Active
Career highlights and awards

Jeremy Jacob ā€œJā€ Leman (born March 1, 1985 in Champaign, Illinois) is a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings. Leman joined the team as a free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft.

Contents

[edit] Early years

Leman (47) and Illinois' other captains take the field.
Leman (47) and Illinois' other captains take the field.

Leman was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. He enjoyed a stellar prep career at Champaign Central High School where he played middle linebacker and tight end. During his senior year, he tallied 191 tackles and was named to the prestigious Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All State Team.

Leman graduated from the U of I with a speech communications degree and a master's degree in Human Resource Education. He comes from a family of 4 other siblings. He has two older brothers, one older sister and one younger brother (Cory Leman) who plays football for Eastern Illinois University.

Leman's parents pastor the Vineyard Church in Urbana, Illinois.

[edit] Collegiate Career & Stats

A NCAA consensus All-American in 2007, Leman was also named to the Big Ten's first team defense in 2006 and 2007. Leman started over 40 games at linebacker during his tenure at Illinois. Durning the 2007 campaign, Leman led the Orange and Blue to nine wins and helped the team earn a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Leman stands at sixth place on Illinois' all time tackle list. His 152 tackles in the 2006 season ranked #1 in the Big Ten and are the sixth best single-season effort ever posted by an Illini gridder. He also ranks fifth on the Illinois' charts in career tackles for loss.


 Illinois   Defensive Stats
Season Games Tackles T/Loss Sacks Forced Fumbles Interceptions
2004 11 56 3 1.5 1 0
2005 11 67 5.5 0 2 0
2006 12 152 19 4 2 0
2007 13 132 10.5 2.5 1 1
Total 47 407 39.5 8.5 6 1

[edit] NFL Career

On April 28th, 2008, Leman signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent.

[edit] External links

Leman & teammates celebrate in front of a shocked 'Shoe after upsetting #1 Ohio State in 2007.
Leman & teammates celebrate in front of a shocked 'Shoe after upsetting #1 Ohio State in 2007.