Leman (47) and Illinois' other captains take the field.
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.[citation needed]
College career
Leman attended the University of Illinois, where he played for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team from 2003 to 2007.[1] 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.[citation needed]
Leman stands at sixth place on Illinois' all time tackle list. His 152 tackles in the 2006 season ranked first 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.[citation needed]
After spending the 2008 season out of football, Leman signed a future contract with the Carolina Panthers on January 13, 2009. He was waived by the team as a final cut on September 5.[citation needed]
Oakland then cut Leman on September 3, 2011 when they announced their 53-man roster for the 2011 season. However, the following day, 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.[citation needed]
