A.C. Leonard

A.C. Leonard
refer to caption
Leonard with the Elks in 2023
No. 3 – Edmonton Elks
Position:Defensive lineman
Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1992-01-15) January 15, 1992 (age 32)
Palatka, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school:Jacksonville (FL) University Christian
College:Tennessee State
Undrafted:2014
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
CFL status:American
Career highlights and awards
  • CFL East All-Star – 2018
Career CFL statistics
Receptions:17
Receiving yards:187
Receiving TDs:2
Stats at CFL.ca

AC Leonard (born January 15, 1992) is an American professional gridiron football defensive lineman who is a member of the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played tight end for the BC Lions in 2015 before converting to a defensive lineman in 2016. He attended Tennessee State University, where he played college football for the Tigers and studied criminal justice.[1] Leonard has been member of NFL, AFL, FXFL and CFL.

Early career

Leonard played high school football at Jean Ribault before transferring to Interlachen and then to University Christian School in 2010. At University Christian, he played primarily as a tight end, but also as a linebacker and defensive end.[2] He played college football for the Florida Gators in 2011, and recorded eight receptions for 99 yards over nine games. A knee injury caused him to miss three games in his freshman season.[3] Leonard transferred to Tennessee State to play for the Tigers the following season, where he played for two years. He recorded 1,174 yards for 11 touchdowns on 85 receptions with the Tigers.[4] Also played at Palatka High School his Freshman year.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+3⁄8 in
(1.89 m) 		252 lb
(114 kg) 		33 in
(0.84 m) 		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 4.50 s 4.45 s 7.10 s 34.0 in
(0.86 m)		 10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)		 20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[5]

Minnesota Vikings

Leonard was eligible for the 2014 NFL draft, and ran the fastest 40-yard dash among tight ends at the NFL scouting combine that year.[6] He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings.[7] He participated in training camp, where he missed multiple practices due to an injury or illness initially described as a headache. He was later released on August 6, 2014.[7]

Fall Experimental League & Arena Football

Later that year, Leonard played for the Brooklyn Bolts of the Fall Experimental Football League in its inaugural season.[8] He was assigned to the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League on December 5, 2014.[9] He was placed on the Other League Exempt list on February 23, 2015.[10]

BC Lions

In April 2015, Leonard signed with the BC Lions.[1] Leonard made his CFL debut on July 17, 2015, against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he recorded four receptions for 26 yards and two touchdowns.[11][12]

Fall Experimental League & Arena Football (II)

He spent some time with the Hudson Valley Fort (FXFL) in 2015. On October 16, 2015, Leonard was assigned to the Jacksonville Sharks.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Leonard signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL in May 2016.[13] In two seasons with the Riders Leonard played in 33 games and played a significant role in the team's defense, totaling 66 tackles and 10 quarterback sacks. Following the 2017 season he was not re-signed and became a free agent on February 13, 2018.[14]

Ottawa Redblacks

On February 13, 2018, Leonard was signed to a one-year contract with the Ottawa Redblacks.[15] In one season with the Redblacks Leonard played in 17 games contributing 49 tackles and six quarterback sacks. He was not re-signed by the Redblacks following the season and became a free agent.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (II)

On February 14, 2019, Leonard signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Leonard was placed on the six-game injured list on August 8, 2019, with an unspecified injury during practice.[16] Leonard played three seasons for the Riders appearing in 41 regular season games and contributing with 118 defensive tackles, 23 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception. He was released by the Riders on January 31, 2023; one day before he was due to receive a $40,000 roster bonus on February 1.[17]

Edmonton Elks

On the same day he was released by the Roughriders, Leonard signed a contract with the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[18] The move reunited him with head coach and general manager Chris Jones who successfully converted him to a defensive lineman in 2016. He played in all 18 regular season games where he recorded 45 defensive tackles, 12 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 13, 2024.[19]

Domestic battery arrest

On February 15, 2012, Leonard was arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery after an alleged altercation with a woman he had been dating for 17 months. The woman told police that she had been shoved and dragged from an apartment by her hair.[3] As a result of the arrest, Leonard was suspended from the Florida Gators.[20] He pleaded no contest to the charge in April, and received a six-month probation. Although Leonard's suspension was lifted in late March, Gators head coach Will Muschamp stated that he would serve a suspension during the 2012 season. Leonard and Muschamp later decided it would be best if the player transferred.[21] Leonard transferred to Tennessee State prior to the start of the football season that year.

References

  1. ^ a b "A.C. Leonard". BC Lions. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  2. ^ Carlyon, Hays (April 25, 2010). "High School Notebook: Florida commitment A.C. Leonard transfers to University Christian". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  3. ^ a b George, Rachel (February 16, 2012). "Florida TE A.C. Leonard suspended following arrest for battery". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  4. ^ Jones, Ross (May 2, 2014). "Tennessee State TE A.C. Leonard already has Hall of Fame hopes". Fox Sports. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  5. ^ "A.C. Leonard Combine Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  6. ^ Carlyon, Hays (March 1, 2014). "4.5-second burst may mean teams take longer look at A.C. Leonard". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Goessling, Ben (August 6, 2014). "Vikings waive AC Leonard". ESPN. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  8. ^ Olson, Eric (October 16, 2014). "FXFL offers fringe players a chance to get to NFL". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  9. ^ "VooDoo Add Rookie Receiver". arenafootball.com. December 5, 2014. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  10. ^ "Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  11. ^ Tucker, Cam (July 20, 2015). "Yoga has helped make a difference for B.C. Lions rookie receiver A.C. Leonard". Metro Vancouver. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  12. ^ "BC Lions vs Saskatchewan Roughriders (17 July 2015)". CFL.ca. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  13. ^ "A.C. LEONARD". riderville.com. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  14. ^ "Riders free agency: Dennis released, Evans signs, Moore re-signs". Regina Leader-Post. February 13, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  15. ^ "Redblacks sign A.C. Leonard". ottawaredblacks.com. February 13, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  16. ^ TSN ca Staff (August 8, 2019). "Saskatchewan Roughriders DL A.C. Leonard place on six-game injured list - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  17. ^ 3Down Staff (January 31, 2023). "Saskatchewan Roughriders release DL A.C. Leonard". 3DownNation. Retrieved January 31, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Hodge, John (January 31, 2023). "Former Riders' DL A.C. Leonard agrees to terms with Edmonton Elks". 3DownNation. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  19. ^ "Official 2024 Free Agent Tracker". Canadian Football League. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  20. ^ Carlyon, Hays (February 17, 2012). "Florida tight end A.C. Leonard suspended from team after battery charge". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  21. ^ DiRocco, Mike (July 18, 2012). "A.C. Leonard leaving Florida program". ESPN. Retrieved July 25, 2015.