Matt Smith/CFL.ca
After spending most of his career as a receiver, A.C. Leonard offers a simple explanation of why he’s enjoyed making the transition to defensive end with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“It gives me a chance to hit people and not be hit,” the 24-year-old from Palatka, Fla., said with a deep laugh. “I really enjoy that.
“You get to fly around and create my own plays and help the team.”
In five games for the Riders this season the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Leonard has 11 tackles and leads the team with three quarterback sacks. He believes he can improve on those numbers as he becomes more comfortable on the defensive line.
“It’s just watching film, learning your position,” he said. “I just have to keep that motor running and stay healthy. I really enjoy that.”
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A.C. Leonard made the switch from offence to defence this season when he signed with the Riders (CFL.ca)
Leonard broke into the CFL last season as a slotback with the BC Lions. He was released last August, then signed with the Riders in May. That’s when head coach Chris Jones suggested the move to defence.
“I played all over the defence in high school, from safety on down,” said Leonard. “That’s my natural position. I made the switch (to tight end) in college.
“For the last couple of years I’ve been wanting to make the switch. When I talked to coach Jones for the first time he had a vision of me playing on the defensive side. I felt pretty confident about it.”
Along with his size and speed, Leonard has the mind of a defensive end.
“I think the biggest thing is attitude,” he said. “On defence you’ve got to be a dog. For me, I’m naturally aggressive. It wasn’t too much of a transition.
“A lot of the stuff I did in high school. It’s doing it again and getting it to come back. It wasn’t really learning, just refreshing.”
Having played receiver gives Leonard some insight into the moves and schemes an offensive player might use against him.
“I know how they are trying to block me, I know how they are stepping,” he said. “As far as coverage wise, I know how they are trying to run their routes, stuff like that.”
As a tight end at Tennessee State Leonard made 86 receptions for 1,174 yards and 11 touchdowns over two years. He was named a second-team FCS All-American.
At the NFL Scouting Combine he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, the fastest of all tight ends that year and the third fastest since 2006.
In 2014 he signed as a free agent with the NFL Minnesota Vikings but was released in August.
After a stint with the Arena Football League he signed with the Lions in 2015. In six games he had 17 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns.
The Riders (1-4) have stumbled out of the gate in 2016. Their lone win so far was an upset of the previously undefeated Ottawa REDBLACKS. The Riders would like to stage another upset when they face the West Division-leading Calgary Stampeders (3-1-1) Thursday at McMahon Stadium. The home-and-home series continues Aug. 13 with the Stampeders travelling to Regina.
Saskatchewan is coming of a 41-3 scorching at the hands of the Montreal Alouettes last week. The disappointing loss is part of a disturbing pattern.
“For the last couple of years I’ve been wanting to make the switch. When I talked to coach Jones for the first time he had a vision of me playing on the defensive side. I felt pretty confident about it.”
A.C. Leonard
Leonard will be hoping to help turn his Riders’ season around when they take on the Stampeders in Week 7 (CFL.ca)
The Saskatchewan defence has allowed a league-high 179 points and managed a league-low eight sacks. The Riders are allowing an average 91.4 rushing yards a game (second most in the league) and are middle of the pack in giving up an average 320.6 passing yards.
Saskatchewan has also just one interception all year.
“It’s simple mistakes,” Leonard said. “The wrong coverage. You have to fix those things, watch film, learn how to play together as a defence. It will all work out.”
Things won’t get any easier against the Stampeders.
Calgary leads the CFL by scoring 157 points and have allowed a league-low eight sacks.
“They are a pretty good team,” said Leonard. “We have to come in early and really execute our game plan.”
Despite the losses, the Riders ae just two points out of a playoff spot and believe they can still turn the season around.
“We’re not giving up,” Leonard said. “We are still coming in like its day one at camp.
“We know we have a good team here. It’s still early. We have to clean up everything and come together as a team. It will turn around. Everyone is staying positive and working hard.”
The last year has been a whirlwind for Leonard. He plans to make the most of his second chance at playing in the CFL.
“It’s been a trip,” he said.
“I believe in myself. I have confidence in myself and I know how hard I work.
“I knew if I got the opportunity I would take advantage of it. I want more stats. Every game I am hungry.”
