OVERVIEW

While the fullback position has evolved over the years, Leonard's hard-nosed, aggressive style is reminiscent to that of former Green Bay Packers great Jim Taylor. Not since Purdue's Mike Alstott (1991-95) has a collegiate fullback been able to determine an outcome of a game on such a consistent basis as Leonard did throughout his career. Whether breaking free for a long run, powering his way into the end zone in goal-line situations, providing a devastating block for halfback sensation Ray Rice or making the clutch catch in traffic, Leonard is the type of player defenses always need to account for.

Brian Leonard exploded onto the collegiate scene in 2003, earning Freshman All-American honors as he was also named Big East Conference Freshman of the Year. He started 10 of 12 games at halfback, leading the team in rushing with 880 yards and nine touchdowns on 213 carries (4.1-yard average). He also led the Scarlet Knights with 53 receptions for 488 yards (9.2 avg.) and five scores. He ranked fifth in the Big East with an average of 114.0 all-purpose yards per game and scored 84 points. He also had two solo tackles and a fumble recovery.

Leonard shifted to fullback in 2004, earning Pro Football Weekly All-American honors. The first-team All-Big East Conference pick missed the Syracuse game with a leg bruise, but he still led the conference with an average of 125.0 all-purpose yards per game. He led the team with 199 carries for 732 yards (3.7 avg.) and seven touchdowns and ranked second on the squad with 61 catches for 518 yards (8.5 avg.) and two scores to finish with 54 points. Leonard also had three tackles (two solos).

In 2005, Leonard was again named to Pro Football Weekly's All-American team, in addition to picking up All-Big East Conference accolades. Taking on a more traditional fullback role with the arrival of halfback Raymell Rice, Leonard still finished second on the team with 173 rushes for 740 yards (4.3 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. He led Rutgers with 55 receptions for 568 yards (10.3 avg.) and six scores. His average of 8.5 points scored per game ranked fourth in the Big East while his average of 4.58 catches per game ranked second. He scored a career-high 102 points and averaged 109.0 all-purpose yards per game.

As a senior, Leonard was again named a first-team All-American and landed on the All-Big East Conference second team. He was used more as a blocker, producing 14 touchdown-producing blocks. He carried 93 times for a career-low 427 yards (4.6 avg.) and five touchdowns. He caught 38 passes for 294 yards (7.7 avg.) and totaled 667 all-purpose yards with 30 total points and two solo tackles.

In 47 games at Rutgers, Leonard started 45 times. He holds the Big East record with at least one reception in 47 games. He holds the school record with 207 career receptions, on which he gained 1,868 yards (9.0 avg.) and scored 13 touchdowns. He rushed 678 times for 2,779 yards (4.1 avg.) and 32 scores. He holds the school record with 272 points scored and recorded seven tackles (six solos) and a fumble recovery. Leonard holds the Rutgers record with 5,961 all-purpose yards, averaging 129.59 yards per game.