Could Cato June help Darius Leonard reach an even higher level?
The return of former Indianapolis Colts linebacker, Cato June, as a coach, may greatly benefit current linebacker, Darius Leonard.
Darius Leonard has been in the NFL for four years. In those four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Leonard has either been selected to the Pro Bowl or First-team All-Pro each year.
In the last two seasons, he’s made both, and in 2021, Leonard had a year that was deserving of Defensive Player of the Year consideration.
Leonard recorded 122 tackles, eight forced fumbles, four interceptions, and three fumble recoveries. His ability to take the ball away is what made his season so special.
Is it possible that Leonard could get even better at forcing turnovers? After the Colts’ latest move, that may just happen. Indy recently hired former Indianapolis linebacker, Cato June, as assistant linebackers coach.
One of June’s former teammates thinks June will be impactful in helping Darius Leonard get more turnovers.
Expect @dsleon45 to add even more turnovers to his game with @CatoJune there now
— ROBERT MATHIS QBH8r (@RobertMathis98) February 23, 2022
Cato June may help Darius Leonard force more turnovers
Robert Mathis and Cato June were both a part of the Colts 2003 draft class and they played on defense together for four seasons. The likely reason Mathis came to this conclusion is that June had a knack for forcing turnovers in his playing days.
In 2005, June’s Pro Bowl season, he recorded five interceptions and had two defensive touchdowns. In his three seasons starting at linebacker for the Colts, June tallied a total of 10 interceptions, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
That means he knows how to read offenses and has different tricks that can help get his hands on the football. A player like Darius Leonard will definitely be open to learning all those tricks.
Although Leonard is already elite at forcing turnovers, he’s been open that there is always more to learn. In an interview on the Pat McAfee Show, Leonard spoke about his willingness to put in extra time to learn.
https://twitter.com/patmcafeeshow/status/1491858243936669698?s=21
With a former player like Cato June now working with Darius Leonard, The Maniac will have the opportunity to pick June’s brain and translate the lessons to the field, possibly becoming even more elite as a linebacker.
