Bemidji State University senior tight end Brian Leonhardt (Blaine, Minn.) earned his third 2012 preseason All-American honor Monday, when he was named D2 vs. NAIA Senior Bowl Preseason All-American First Team Offense, presented by the Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL).
The CDFL is the proud sponsor of the Second Annual D2 vs. NAIA Senior Bowl to be held in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 1 p.m. The bowl game features players who will have earned the right to showcase their talents among the best of their peers. The final teams are selected by a committee and announced in November at the conclusion of the regular season.
Only graduating seniors in 2013 were eligible for the preseason honors.
Brian Leonhardt
A 2012 Beyond Sports College Network 2012 Division II Preseason All-America Honorable Mention and USA College Football NCAA Division II Preseason All-American Third Team Offense, in 2011, Leonhardt earned Daktronics All-America Second Team Offense, D2Football.com All-America Honorable Mention, Daktronics, Inc. Super Region #3 First Team, All-NSIC First Team and Consensus Draft Services 2011 Preseason All-America Honorable Mention Football Team honors… Started all 11 games and led the team in receptions (35) and reception yards (483), to surpass his totals from 2010 and established career-highs in both categories… Averaged 43.9 yards per game and 13.8 yards per reception with two touchdowns… An extension of the offensive line that guided the second best rushing attack (No. 10 nationally) in the league for 241.5 yards per game… Helped protect quarterback Lance Rongstad as the Beavers ranked first in the NSIC and No. 6 in the nation in sacks allowed (.91 sacks allowed per game)… Blocked two field goal attempts… Totaled a career-high 129 yards, a touchdown and his season-long reception of 34 yards in the 30-27 overtime upset of No. 16 Augustana College Sept. 10 in Sioux Falls, S.D… Surpassed the 1,000 career receiving yards plateau in 2011 to become just the second BSU tight end since 1971 to surpass 1,000 career reception yards as he follows Bruce Ecklund (1,542 yards, 1980-83)… With a 3.68 GPA in business administration, Leonhardt was named Capital One Academic All-America Division II Second Team and Capital One All-Academic All-District VII College Division First Team for his efforts in the classroom… 2011 Fall Academic All-NSIC.
The Beavers closed the 2011 season with an 8-3 overall and 7-3 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference record to finish tied for fourth in the league standings. BSU was pegged sixth in the overall 2012 NSIC Coaches’ Poll and slotted third in the NSIC North.
The Beavers began practice Aug. 11 and continue preseason camp until starting school Aug. 27. BSU will then conduct a week of practice to prepare for its 2012 opener Aug. 31 against Upper Iowa University at 6 p.m. at Chet Anderson Stadium.