Fox 59 TV (posted to scsuathletics.com)


INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Former South Carolina standout Darius Leonard can mark off one of the few disappointments from an otherwise stellar rookie season.

Those are the storylines for the Indianapolis Colts and the Pro Bowl, which was announced Tuesday night.

Leonard earned his first all-star nod after being snubbed in 2018 despite being named Defensive Rookie of the Year and joining teammate Quenton Nelson as first-team All-Pro selections.

Nelson, who already has established himself as one of the NFL's premier guards, was named to his second straight Pro Bowl. Leonard earned his first all-star nod after being snubbed in 2018 despite being named Defensive Rookie of the Year and joining Nelson as first-team All-Pro selections.

Leonard is the first linebacker named since D'Qwell Jackson in 2014.

Nelson's inclusion was expected. Leonard anticipated another snub.

"It's out of my hands,'' he said last week. "It's a popularity contest. It's about publicity and who people love now.

"My numbers speak for themselves. If you want to put the best players in there, just go by the numbers.''

That apparently was the case.

Leonard, the 36th overall pick in the 2018 draft, once again has generated a fat stat line despite missing three games with a concussion: 104 tackles, including six for a loss; 5 sacks, 4 interceptions, 6 passes defenses and 2 forced fumbles. He's the first player since 1982 to post at least 10 sacks and five interceptions in his first 25 games.

Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus said last week he has noticed continuous growth in Leonard's game.

"I think he's understanding the game more,'' he said. "I think he is growing. Like everybody else, he has games that are really special and dominating games, and he has other games where he learns a lot.

"The most important thing is that you take that performance and you keep learning as a young player and you keep developing.''

Leonard's signature game this season undoubtedly was two weeks ago at Tampa. In the 38-35 loss, he had 9 tackles and a pair of interceptions, one of which he returned 80 yards for a touchdown. He's had at least 10 tackles in six games.

The Pro Bowl is Jan. 26 in Orlando.