Topic: Brian Leonard

Brian Leonard (born February 3, 1984 from Gouverneur, New York) is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Rutgers.

In 2006, Leonard started the season being promoted as a Heisman Trophy candidate. A video clip of Leonard, concluding with the slogan "Leonard for Heisman," was aired on the NBC Astrovision screen in New York City’s Times Square. Despite being acknowledged as a Heisman candidate, Leonard elected to take on a diminished role as a blocker and allow Ray Rice to become a star. He was also named starting fullback on the 2007 Senior Bowl North Squad, where he finished with 16 yards rushing and 13 yards receiving, 3rd overall on the team in total yardage.

In the Rutgers record books, Leonard finished his career ranked fourth all-time rushing yards (2,775), fourth all-time rushing touchdowns (32), sixth all-time receiving yards (1,864), first all-time receptions (207), tied for fourth all-time receiving touchdowns (13), second all-time all-purpose yards (4,639), first all-time combined touchdowns (45), and first all-time career points scored (272).