South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard was the first FCS player picked in the 2018 NFL Draft. It caught some off guard with the expectation a couple players in this subdivision would be picked before him. But Leonard is showing why he was the first FCS guy off the board with his start to his rookie season.
Selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round (36th overall), Leonard isn't just playing like one of the best linebackers on the squad, but in the entire NFL. Entering this week, he led the league with 62 tackles in five games played/started while adding four sacks, two passes defended and two forced fumbles. What made his No. 1 rankings even more impressive was he missed the Week 5 game against New England with an ankle injury.
(Note: After Thursday night's game, Arizona's Budda Baker moved into first with 67 tackles.)
Leonard was making plays all over the field before the injury, posting nine total tackles in his regular-season debut before having games of 19, 13 and 13 tackles. The week after being on the sidelines was another nine-tackle performance.
Kiko Alonso of Miami is right behind him with 61 tackles.
Leonard was a beast at SC State, going over 100 total tackles in 2016 and 2017. He earned First Team HERO Sports All-American honors last year while being named to the Second Team as a junior.
[divider]
NEXT: Top NFL Prospect At Every Offensive Position in the FCS
RELATED: Every FCS Player Selected in the 2018 NFL Draft
