Rodney Leisle
Position: Defensive tackle
College: UCLA
Height: 6-3
Weight: 309
Hometown: Bakersfield, Calif.

Analysis | Agility | High School | Personal

OVERVIEW
Mainstay on the Bruins defensive line who is regarded as one of the strongest players in the country … A blue-collar work ethic in a blue chip athlete, Rodney plays with great pad leverage, has outstanding strength and is excellent with his hands … He is a tremendously hard worker who sets an example with his efforts on the practice field and in the games … His ability to neutralize double teams allowed the other UCLA defensive linemen to get to the quarterback over the years … He started 40 of 43 games for the Bruins, recording 131 tackles (80 solos) with six sacks for minus-35 yards, 17 stops for losses of 61 yards, five fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, four interceptions for 58 yards in returns and a touchdown and three pass deflections.
ANALYSIS
Positives: Has a stout frame with a thick chest, broad shoulders, good bubble, well-defined arms and thick thighs and calves … Has an adequate quick move coming out of his stance (plays quicker than fast) … Shows good vision and awareness, as he quickly reads and reacts to blocks and movement to consistently be around the ball … Very tough vs. the run, flashing aggressiveness and strength at the point of attack … Plays with good leverage, using his club moves with force to hold his ground … Shows proper hand usage to ward off and separate from blocks, relying on his strength and toughness to defeat his man in one-on-one situations … Will move down the line and through traffic with good determination … Flashes explosion behind his tackles, but is more effective when he wraps and brings down the ball carrier inside the box (not as effective working in space) … Has the power to push the pocket … Body structure and attitude are perfectly suited for a two-gap alignment.
Negatives: Has marginal speed and works better in the box than in long pursuit or in space … Can be a dominating defender, but needs to show better dedication to his offseason conditioning (not a good detail guy in the weight room and needs better focus) … Relies more on strength and toughness rather than quickness and technique in his tackling … Lacks the speed to close on the quarterback (limited burst to finish) … Can push the pocket, but struggles to get upfield and separate when working in space.

AGILITY TESTS
5.11 in the 40-yard dash … Bench presses 225 pounds 31 times … 31 3/8-inch arm length … 11 1/8-inch hands … Right-handed.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Ridgeview (Bakersfield, Calif.) High, playing football for coach Bill Richardson and Steve Tucker … Lettered three years as a defensive and offensive lineman … Rated the No. 53 player in the nation by RivalNet and by Tom Lemming (The Sporting News.com) … SuperPrep All-American, ranked the nation's No. 26 defensive lineman and the No. 29 player in the California/Arizona/Hawaii region, PrepStar All-American (rated the No. 4 defensive lineman in the Western Region, Super 30 All-Western selection by PrepStar, ranked seventh (tied) among offensive guards by the National Recruiting Advisor, member of Tacoma News-Tribune Western 100, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West honorable mention (five votes) and first-team all-state selection by Cal-Hi Sports … Recorded 85 tackles (32 solos), including seven quarterback sacks … Selected to play in the annual California-Texas Shrine All-Star Game … Two-time all-league and all-area choice … Lettered four years in track (shot put and discus) for coach Brad Harris … Had best in shot of 58-foot-11½ and in discus of 170-foot-8 … Finished fifth in the state in the shot in 1997 and fourth in the state in the shot in 1998 … Lettered two years in wrestling for coach Lee Ramos … Placed seventh in the state in 1997 as a heavyweight … Finished first in his league in both 1996 and 1997 … Lettered his senior season in basketball for coach Otis Jennings … Team finished second in the league and third in the Valley.
PERSONAL
Sociology major … Earned spot on Director's Honor Roll in Winter 2001 (3.33 GPA) … Son of Kathy and Dan Leisle … Born Rodney Allen Leisle on Feb. 5, 1981, in Fresno, Calif. … Resides in Bakersfield, Calif.