Here's a Leonard update. You gotta love the writer's matter-of-factattitude when he writes: "However, the buzz surrounding his accomplishments doesn't seem to faze the even-keeled Leonard, who managed to fly under the blue-chip recruit radar despite setting a New York state record for points scored (696) while running for 5,854 yards at Gouverneur High School."
I wonder whyBrian "flew under the radar"? Anyone have any theories?And let's see how much Shiano's lavish praise for Leonard translates into rushing attempts this season.
Rutgers' Leonard primed for strong season
[url]http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/sports/colleges/mercer/152610 23.htm[/url]
<H6>Associated Press</H6>
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers University football coach Greg Schiano will never be mistaken for a subtle man, the type who abhors boasting and shies away from bragging about something.
And though he probably is more judicious now with his commentary than when he first arrived on campus in December 2000, he still speaks his mind often, and usually in glowing tones, when it comes to his players.
So, it was no surprise that when the name of Brian Leonard came up Saturday during media day at the school's Hale Center, Schiano had nothing praise.
"I've coached some great players over the years, some of the best who have played the game," said Schiano, who has mentored the likes of 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Ed Reed and Pro Bowler Dan Morgan during his coaching career. "I wouldn't trade Brian for any of them. I mean, Brian is that special."
Leonard is not the only star returning to the Scarlet Knights - also due back are 1,000-yard rusher Ray Rice and Clark Harris, the first-team all-Big East tight end - but the 6-foot-2, 235-pound senior running back is the team's primary offensive weapon. And he already ranks sixth on the school's all-time rushing list with 2,352 yards, third in career receptions with 169 and second in points scored with 242.
In spearheading Rutgers' rise to national awareness last season and an appearance in the Insight Bowl against Arizona State, Leonard rushed for 740 yards, caught 55 passes for 568 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. Those efforts earned him first-team All-American accolades from Pro Football Weekly for the second straight year.
However, the buzz surrounding his accomplishments doesn't seem to faze the even-keeled Leonard, who managed to fly under the blue-chip recruit radar despite setting a New York state record for points scored (696) while running for 5,854 yards at Gouverneur High School.
"When I got here, I was just hoping to get on the field, maybe make a block or two. I had no idea what was in store," Leonard said. "I never thought I'd get many carries. Then, the first spring I was here, (Schiano) was getting frustrated at the guys running the ball and he yelled out, 'Leonard, get in there.'
"The first play, I ran over about two or three guys and took it to the 50," he said. "The next play, I took it to about the 20, and then we went right in and scored after that."
A similar pattern has played out each of the past three seasons. With a career average of 4 yards per carry, Leonard hasn't ripped off many long runs but has shown he's capable, as evidenced by a magnificent 83-yard bolt in last season's opener at Illinois that allowed him to showcase both his speed and athleticism.
He broke free on the left side and hurdled a defender waiting to tackle him, then outraced any other potential tacklers.
"He's an exceptional football player," Schiano said. "The neat thing is every once in a while you get a guy with that kind of talent who is humble and a great teammate. He's just a special guy."
He's also glad Leonard decided to stay for his senior year instead of entering the NFL draft, a decision that came after Leonard weighed his options and talked to former Rutgers tight end Marco Battaglia, who went pro after his junior season of 1995.
"Marco told me to go with my heart, and my heart is here at Rutgers," Leonard said. "I love it here."
