55. Nate Leonard - UTSA

Nate Leonard - 55 UTSA 6-0 280


2014: Played in 12 games.
2013: Started all 12 contests. Had a team-leading 70 knockdown blocks, including a career-high 10 against Rice (Oct. 12), and also graded out at 82 percent. A key part of an offensive line that did not commit a holding penalty during the season. Helped the offense average 25.6 points, 417.8 total yards (175.4 rush/242.4 pass), 21.9 first downs and 32:24 possession time per contest.. Earned second-team Capital One Academic All-America accolades (first player in program history to be named an Academic All-American) and first-team Academic All-District VII honors for the second consecutive year. Also tabbed Conference USA’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year for football.
2012: Started all 12 games at center. Racked up 34 knockdown blocks and graded out at 82 percent for an offense that averaged 31.2 points, 390.2 total yards (159.2 rush/231.0 pass) and 31:45 of possession time per outing. Anchored an offensive line that surrendered just seven sacks, which was tied for the second-lowest total in the nation. Recorded a season-high 10 pancakes in the season-ending 38-31 victory against I-35 rival Texas State. Earned first-team Capital One Academic All-District VII accolades.
2011: Started all 10 contests at center. Offense averaged 26.6 points, 364.5 total yards (144.8 rush/219.7 pass) and 20 first downs per outing. Team rushed for a season-best 289 yards on 39 carries (7.4 avg.) against Minot State (Nov. 19). Redshirted in 2010.
High School: Attended McKinney High School in Texas. A 2009 honorable mention Class 4A all-state selection. Graded out at 85 percent with 50 pancake blocks and zero sacks allowed and also earned first-team All-District 9-4A accolades as a senior. Helped lead team to 2,564 passing yards and 1,290 yards on the ground in his final campaign. Garnered second-team all-district accolades as a junior. Helped the Lions to back-to-back playoff appearances in his final two campaigns. Coached by Bobby Reyes. Also earned two letters in track & field and powerlifting. An academic all-state honoree who graduated third in his senior class of 440. Named the National Football Foundation Dallas Chapter’s Outstanding Scholar-Athlete.
Personal: Born Aug. 10, 1991. Son of the late Toni Lou and Billy Leonard. Physical education major.