National Football Foundation

Highly regarded as one of the nation's premier linebackers, Illinois' J Leman carries his on-field excellence into the classroom and the community.

A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Leman is currently working towards a master's degree in Human Resource Education. The Champaign, Ill. native finished his undergraduate coursework in Speech Communications in May 2006, twice earning ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District honors. 

Coming off a successful junior campaign, where he garnered Sports Illustrated Honorable Mention All-America laurels, Leman was named a First Team All-Big Ten pick and a two-time Big Ten Player of the Week. He currently leads the Big Ten in tackles with 89, averaging just over 11 per game, and ranks tenth in the country in total tackles this season. He has already been tabbed a semifinalist for both the Rotary Lombardi and Butkus Awards. 

Heavily involved in his church, The Vineyard, where his father is a pastor, Leman is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and participates in the Hometown Heroes campus-wide community service program. He also led the football team's summer community service project to raise money for a local children's home. 

Leman becomes the seventh Fighting Illini named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete, following Josh Whitman in 2000. Leman was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent after the 2008 NFL Draft. He has appeared on the rosters of the Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders. Leman is currently a football analyst on the Big Ten Network.