In four years with the Colts, Darius Shaquille Leonard has become one of the most dominant linebackers in the NFL and he is in reach of a huge milestone.
Recently, CBS Sports listed career milestones that a select few players can accomplish in the 2022 NFL season. Obviously, linebacker Shaquille Leonard is on this list after some of the incredible things he has done with the Indianapolis Colts in his four-year career so far.
Is it a surprise that one of the most dominant linebackers in the league is up for another huge milestone early in his career?
Shaq Leonard is close to being just the third linebacker in the Super Bowl era to record 15 interceptions in his first five years. At the moment, Leonard has 11 and will need just four to accomplish that milestone.
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Shaquille Leonard is four interceptions away from career milestone
The 15 interception club has just two members so far, Jack Ham (17) and Stan White (16). Neither of those players has played in 40 years, so this is a huge accomplishment if Leonard can record four interceptions this year.
It won’t be an easy task to do. So far in his career, his season high is just five interceptions in his second season. In Leonard’s third season, he recorded no interceptions. However, he has really honed in on his takeaway skills since then.
In year four, Shaquille Leonard had four interceptions and three fumble recoveries but it was his eight forced fumbles that made him special last season. But, the forced fumbles aren’t going to help him achieve this milestone, he needs interceptions.
Leonard has only recorded four or more interceptions twice in his career, in his second season and his fourth. Which season will we get out of Shaq Leonard this year? Will he be out to set a milestone or will he miss the mark? He wants to win a Super Bowl now and with that motivation, he might be doing everything it takes to get there. Including, but not limited to interceptions and forced fumbles.
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