Darius Leonard a virtual lock to start in Indianapolis

Some people doubted why the Indianapolis Colts drafted South Carolina State’s Darius Leonard so high this past spring. Finding those doubters now may be hard to do. But let me help you. Bleacher Report called it one of the worst moves of the draft and a “head-scratcher.”

Other experts predicted he would be all but lost once he got into the NFL.

If you’re taking Darius Leonard, just be prepared for him to start from square one. He has no idea what’s going on reading and processing keys. He’ll get marked in the NFL standing at the second level like this pic.twitter.com/veEXn6j8Cx

— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) April 17, 2018

Leonard’s had a phenomenal training camp thus far and his play has carried over to the preseason games. After picking up seven tackles, six of them solo, against the Ravens on Monday night, one thing is obvious.  Darius Leonard will be a starting linebacker for the Colts in week one.

Super impressed by Darius Leonard (@dsleon45) he played aggressive and showed how fast he is on the field. He is going to he a star.

— Robbie Gibbons (@RobbieGibbonsCo) August 21, 2018

The Colts’ will play a new 4-3 defense this season and that works best with players who can be physical, fast, and hustle. Traits that all sum up the play of Leonard. Just ask his teammates.

“He’s a dominating player,” Colts safety Clayton Geathers said after the game. “He can go out there and do what you ask him to do, and do more. ”

There won’t be much rest for Leonard this week, the Colts have just five days before San Francisco comes to town for on Saturday.  It will be the third preseason game of the year, generally, the final one for starters to play significant minutes. Yes, starters. Not too bad for a kid from South Carolina State.