As a second-team All-American at Houston, Leone was a three-time semi-finalist for the Ray Guy Award, given to the top punter in NCAA football. A four-year starter, he holds school records for punts resulting in fair catches (87) and ones longer than 50 yards (54). His career average of 43.1 yards is the second-highest in Cougar history.
Since leaving Houston, Leone has twice been signed by NFL teams to challenge the resident veteran punter -- Sam Koch with the Baltimore Ravens and Brad Wing of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Koch had a career-best season in 2014, averaging 47.4 yards per punt and a league-best 43.3 net yards. He was only 22nd best the previous season before Leone arrived to provide competition.
While Leone didn’t catch on with either NFL team (he was released by the Steelers on May 11, three weeks before the start of Lions’ training camp), the experience has made him more confident and, at the same time, more self-critical.
His soaring, hanging punts averaged 48.2 yards (on six attempts) against the Roughriders, with a long of 58 yards. No, the ball wasn’t filled with helium.
“I’m not a seasoned punter,” admitted the 23-year-old. “I’m not a seasoned kicker. I’m not a seasoned anything yet. I’d say I dropped a couple (punts) a little too inside. I’ve been reminded that I’m not going to be perfect. It was only my second game. But we’re always chasing greatness as professionals.”
Calm, disciplined and full of purpose, Leone was great when he had to be Friday night.
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