Darius Shaquille Leonard is a former American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina State and was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. In his rookie season, Leonard led the league in tackles and was named a First-Team All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year; he was also voted into the NFL Top 100 the following offseason. Leonard has been informally nicknamed "Maniac" due to his energetic and productive on-field play.
Leonard with the Colts in 2022
Leonard (center) in a game against the Tennessee Titans in November 2018.
The 2018 NFL draft was the 83rd annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible players for the 2018 NFL season. The draft was held on April 26–28 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; it was the first draft to take place in an NFL stadium and the first to be held in Texas. In order to be eligible to enter the draft, players must be at least three years removed from high school. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft was January 15, 2018.
2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley
Second-round running back Nick Chubb (#24) running against first-round safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (#39). Chubb is a four-time Pro Bowler, while Fitzpatrick is a three-time Pro Bowler and has been named an All-Pro three times.
Image: Baker Mayfield (51655012465)
Image: Josh Allen SEPT2021 (cropped 2)
