Illinois Linebacker - J. Leman

J. Leman wasn't on the recruiting radar in May but his off-season work ethic and determination helped him land a scholarship offer from the school of his choice.

Illinois received a verbal commitment from a local linebacker and according to his head coach, he earned it.

J. Leman, a 6-foot-2, 215-pounder, from Champaign (Central) committed to Ron Turner and the Fighting Illini as soon as he was offered a scholarship.

J. is short for Jeremy but don’t call him Jeremy or Jay.

“It’s J. not Jay or Jeremy,” said Leman. I have two brothers, A.J. and J.D. They started calling me J.J. and it just got too confusing. So I just go by J.

“According to Central head coach Jeff Hasenstab, Leman earned his scholarship.

“He’s (Leman) been to camp there (Illinois) for the last three-years,” Hasenstab said.

“J. can flat out play the game. He’s worked extremely hard. Last year his 40-time was about 5.1 and now he runs in the 4.8 range.

“J. is a three-year varsity starter and he plays middle linebacker for us. He’s got a great work ethic and he works hard during the off-season to make himself better.”

Leman was only being recruited by some MAC schools but that changed one Sunday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

“My dad and I were sitting in the stands at Memorial Stadium watching my little brother play pop warner football. Coach (Greg) McMahon walked up to us and said that (Illini head coach) Ron Turner wanted to talk to us in his office.

“We went up to see coach Turner and he offered me a scholarship. I accepted on the spot. I spent my whole life here in Champaign and I wanted to play for Illinois.” Leman said.

J. Leman has 172 tackles, 106 solo tackles, 25 tackles for loss and three blocked punts in 2002.