Georgia Tech may not have a prospect available for the first few rounds of the NFL Draft, which begins this Thursday, but they could potentially acquire an intriguing player on Day 3 to build their team. There are several people. Over the past few years, players like Jordan Mason, Juannie Thomas, and Tyler Davis have gone from being late picks/undrafted to making an impact on their teams. Will the Yellow Jackets be able to acquire such a player in this year's draft?
After writing about running back Donte Smith and wide receiver Dominik Blaylock, let's take a look at another player we hope will make it to the NFL over the weekend.
Dylan Leonard has played a lot of football since coming to Georgia Tech in 2019 and now hopes to take the next step in his football journey of playing in the NFL.
Last season, Leonard played 453 snaps and had a 60.6 grade on offense, according to PFF. This year's run blocking grade was 57.4, down from 2022's 70.9 grade.
Leonard was one of the players who spoke to the media after Georgia Tech's Pro Day, and talked about asking former Yellow Jacket and current Green Bay Packers tight end Tyler Davis for advice about the draft process.
“I would say I learned a lot from (former Georgia Tech tight end) Tyler Davis. He went through this process four years ago, so I relied on him a lot. . He has a lot of experience and he just re-signed with the Packers.'' So he obviously knows how to do things the right way, so I'm very excited about the interview process and what to look for. I relied on him for many things. I went through the training and learned as much as I could from him and put it into practice. He's a guy I've trusted since I got here and it's going to the next step, I'm definitely lucky to have him in my corner. ”
Leonard didn't have an impressive receiving record (he caught 13 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown), but he was a solid run blocker and a great presence in the locker room. Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key praised Leonard multiple times throughout the 2023 season.
“I know you're talking about progress in terms of catching the football, but anyone who's watched Dylan Leonard play football this season would be surprised. No. 2, when it comes to the game. He plays like any tight end in the country right now.'' The way he blocks, core blocks, block moves, blocks on the perimeter, I love that kid and what he does for this football team. I couldn't be more proud to have you. I want to talk about someone who bled Georgia Tech and bled white and gold. And you watch him play 50, 60, 65 times a game, he's Georgia Tech, grit, toughness, that's the intelligence, that's how this program works. If he can play, that's a bonus with what he's doing on this football team. He's playing as good football as I've ever seen from the tight end position. career. “
I think those intangibles could help Leonard appeal to NFL teams on the third day of the draft. Stay tuned to see how Leonard ends up this weekend.
According to his career with Georgia Tech Athletics:
2023 (Senior): Played in all 12 regular season games and started 11 games at tight end…Voted permanent team captain by his teammates…2023 Jason Witten College Man of the Year, which recognizes college football's best leader. One of 20 semifinalists for the award Exhibits extraordinary courage, integrity, and sportsmanship on and off the field… modest receiving performance (13 receptions for 127 yards and one touchdown, all career) His leadership on and off the field has established him as one of the nation's top tight ends thanks to his blocking (run)… He caught more than one pass in a game, only 4 times – twice against No. 17 Ole Miss (September 16), twice against Boston College (October 28), career-high – three times against Virginia (November 4); He tied the game twice against Clemson (Nov. 11), including his first career touchdown from four yards to go…He had a season-high 27 receiving yards against Ole Miss and… This includes his longest catch. Season (23 yards).
2022 (Junior):Played in nine games and started eight at tight end…Red Tech ranks seventh overall on the team in receptions (11 yards) and receiving yards (90 yards) at tight end…Started in the first two games of the season After not doing so, it became a big end. Part of Tech's passing game, with 11 receptions for 90 yards over the next six games…season-best three receptions for 18 yards at Florida State…two passes against Duke Caught for a season-high 29 yards (October 8) … Succeeded on the field and in the classroom, being named a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy (Top Scholar-Athlete), All-ACC Academic Team, NFF He was elected to the Hampshire Honor Society and won awards. Prestigious ACC Graduate Scholarship.
2021 (2nd year): Played in 11 games, started 10 at tight end…ranked 6th overall on the team in receptions (11 yards) and receiving yards (112 yards) among Red Tech tight ends…5 yards in first six games. Although he only had one catch for the season, he was a big part of Tech's passing game, gaining 10 receptions for 107 yards in the final six games of the season… Recorded multiple receptions in four games…Gained a season-best three receptions for 21 yards against Boston College (November 13)…Averaged 14 yards per catch (28 yards per catch against No. 6 Notre Dame) 2) (November 20) … Caught two passes for a career-high 43 yards against No. 1 Georgia (November 27) … His 21.5 yards per reception against UGA was also a career best.
2020 (Second Year – “Covid Year” – Year of Eligibility): The former walk-on earned a scholarship before the season… missed the first three games but appeared in the final seven games of the season, including games against Boston College (October 24) and Notre Dame (October 31). …Caught 3 passes for 23 yards on the season…His first catch of the season was for a career-long 15 yards against Louisville (October 9)…He also had 4-yard receptions against BC and ND…against Clemson (October) 17th) Solo tackle.
2019 (Freshman): Played in all 12 games as a reserve tight end… Gained 3 yards on first career reception against South Florida (September 7)… Had a 3-yard catch against Duke (October 12)… Recorded 8 kick returns Oct. 19, Yard in Miami, Florida.
high school: Selected as a three-star prospect by ESPN… Was a three-year letterwinner at Milton, playing tight end and wide receiver… Named captain in his senior season… Helped lead Milton to Georgia 7-A state championship in 2018 … First-team selection All-Region and Region 5 7-A Offensive Player of the Year … Earned second-team All-State honors … Also named first-team All-North Fulton … Had 48 receptions for 875 yards as a senior Earned… Also had 10 catches… Scored three touchdowns in three consecutive games, setting a school record for consecutive three-touchdown games… Current Georgia Tech teammates Brandon Best, Anthony Minella, Paul Chio. and former Tech QB Jordan Yates, who was also a member of Milton's 2018 state title team…coached by Adam Clack…also played baseball at Milton, spending two years as an outfielder on the team.
