Jeremy Leman

Jeremy Jacob Junior "J" Leman (born March 1, 1985) is an American football linebacker who last played for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at the University of Illinois, and was recognized as a consensus All-American. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008, and has also been a member of the Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, and Florida Tuskers. He is currently an announcer for the Big Ten Network.

Early years


Leman was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. He played high school football at Champaign Central High School where he played middle linebacker and tight end. During his senior year, he tallied 191 tackles and was named to the prestigious Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-State Team.

College career
Leman attended the University of Illinois, where he played for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team from 2003 to 2007. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2003. Leman was a first-team All-Big Ten selection on defense in 2006 and 2007, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in 2007. He started over 40 games at linebacker during his college career. During the 2007 campaign, Leman led the Illini to nine wins and helped the team earn a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Leman stands at sixth place on Illinois' all time tackle list. His 152 tackles in the 2006 season ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and is the sixth best single-season effort ever posted by an Illini gridder. He also ranks fifth on the Illinois charts in career tackles for loss.

First stint with Vikings
After going undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft, Leman signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. He was waived during final cuts on August 30.

Carolina Panthers
After spending the 2008 season out of football, Leman signed a future contract with the Carolina Panthers on January 13, 2009. He was waived as a final cut on September 5.

Philadelphia Eagles
Leman was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad on September 7, 2009. He was released on October 13.

San Diego Chargers
Leman was signed to the San Diego Chargers practice squad on November 3, 2009. He was released on December 1.

Second stint with Vikings
Leman was re-signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on December 9, 2009, and was promoted to the active roster on December 15, after linebacker Erin Henderson was suspended for four games.

He was released with an injury settlement on October 19, 2010.

Florida Tuskers
Leman was signed by the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League on November 1, 2010.

Second stint with San Diego Chargers
Leman was signed to the San Diego Chargers practice squad on November 30, 2010. He was waived on August 30, 2011.

Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders claimed Leman off of waivers on August 31.

Oakland then cut Leman on Sept. 3, 2011 when they announced their 53-man roster for the 2011 season. However, the following day (Sept. 4) the Raiders named Leman to their 8-man practice squad for the 2011 season. He was cut from the practice squad on 12/6/11.

Personal
Leman graduated from the University of Illinois with a speech communication degree and a master's degree in Human Resource Education. He comes from a family of five children. He has two older brothers, including JD Leman, an All-American football player for Wheaton College, and AJ Leman, a successful business teacher at Iowa City High School. Once a promising basketball player, knee injuries limited AJ's basketball career to high school. J also has one older sister, Julie, a former All-American volleyball player at Olivet Nazarene University, and one younger brother, Cory, who plays football for Eastern Illinois University. J is married to Katy (Pratapas) Leman.

On July 26, 2012, Deadspin featured a YouTube video of Leman, alongside former Illini teammate Tim Brasic, wherein the two discuss praying for people who suffer from a variety of ailments. The article goes on to detail Leman's online prayer journal, including an entry wherein he attempts to use the power of prayer to regenerate a man's amputated toes.