J Leman

Infobox NFLactive
name=J Leman


caption=Leman (47) during his tenure with the Fighting Illini
currentteam=Minnesota Vikings
currentnumber=55
currentposition=Inside Linebacker
|birthdate=birth date and age|1985|3|1
birthplace=Champaign, Illinois
heightft=6
heightin=3
weight=245
debutyear=
debutteam=
college=Illinois
undraftedyear=2008
pastteams=
* Minnesota Vikings (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* First-team All-American (2007)
* National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete (2007)
* First-team All-Big Ten (2007)
* First-team All-Big Ten (2006)
statweek=
statseason=
statlabel1=
statvalue1=
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nfl=

Jeremy Jacob “J” Leman (born March 1, 1985 in Champaign, Illinois) is a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings. Leman joined the team as a free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft.

Early years

Leman was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. He enjoyed a stellar prep career at Champaign Central High School where he played middle linebacker and tight end. During his senior year, he tallied 191 tackles and was named to the prestigious Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All State Team.

Leman graduated from the U of I with a speech communications degree and a master's degree in Human Resource Education. He comes from a family of 4 other siblings. He has two older brothers, one older sister and one younger brother (Cory Leman) who plays football for Eastern Illinois University.

Leman's parents pastor the Vineyard Church in Urbana, Illinois.

Collegiate Career & Stats

A NCAA consensus All-American in 2007, Leman was also named to the Big Ten's first team defense in 2006 and 2007. Leman started over 40 games at linebacker during his tenure at Illinois. Durning the 2007 campaign, Leman led the Orange and Blue to nine wins and helped the team earn a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Leman stands at sixth place on Illinois' all time tackle list. His 152 tackles in the 2006 season ranked #1 in the Big Ten and is the sixth best single-season effort ever posted by an Illini gridder. He also ranks fifth on the Illinois' charts in career tackles for loss.

NFL career

On April 28th, 2008, Leman signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent.

External links

* [http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/leman_j00.html J Leman] , University of Illinois Player Bio
* [http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/j.html jleman.com]
*2007 College Football All-America Team
* [http://www.afca.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9300&ATCLID=1329519 2007 AFCA All-American Team]
* [http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/2007/allamerica071208.html 2007 FWAA All-American Team]
* [http://www.bigtennetwork.com/news/article.asp?list_id=1&story_id=9453 2007 All Big Ten Team]
* [http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112106aaa.html 2006 All Big Ten Team]
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/ncaa/12/07/all.americans/index.html 2006 SI.com All-American Team]