Leonhard Succeeds On and Off Field
November 15, 2002 | Football
Jim Leonhard may be a relatively small guy (5-8, 178) from a small town (Tony, Wis., pop. 114), but his accomplishments this season have been anything but diminutive.
Leonhard, a sophomore walk-on, has started all 11 games this season at strong safety. He is tied for the national lead in interceptions with eight (one short of tying the UW single-season record of nine which was set in 1970 by Neovia Greyer). His Big Ten-leading 21 pass breakups also rank second on the school season list, just four behind Mike Echols' record of 25 set in 2000. Leonhard, who was named to CNN/SI 's Mid-Season All-America team, leads the Badgers in tackles with 82.
A kinesiology major, Leonhard has made his mark off the field, too. Earlier this week he was named (with teammate Scott Starks) to the Verizon Academic All-District 5 First Team. To qualify for that honor, student-athletes need at least a 3.20 grade-point average. Leonhard and Starks will now advance to the national ballot to vie for spots on the Verizon Academic All-America team.
Wisconsin travels to Michigan to face the Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 11:05 a.m. CST. The game will be televised live by ESPN2.
