Leon McFadden (American football)

Leon McFadden Jr. (born October 26, 1990) is a former American football cornerback. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at San Diego State.

Leon McFadden
refer to caption
McFadden with the Cleveland Browns in 2013
No. 23, 29, 30, 37
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1990-10-26) October 26, 1990
Inglewood, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:St. John Bosco
(Bellflower, California)
College:San Diego State
NFL Draft:2013 / Round: 3 / Pick: 68
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • 3× First-team All-MW (2010–2012)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:35
Pass deflections:2
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

McFadden attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California, and played high school football for the Bosco Braves. As a senior, he recorded 32 receptions for an average of 16.3 yards per catch, 7 touchdowns, 48 tackles and 4 interceptions, while being selected to the Trinity League first-team defense. Against Lutheran High School, he had a season-high 7 receptions for 108 yards.

He was also a standout athlete for the St. John Bosco High School track team. He was timed at 10.9 seconds in the 100 meters in 2008. He had a career-best leap of 6.46 meters in the long jump.[1]

College career

McFadden accepted a football scholarship from San Diego State University to play as a wide receiver, but was switched to cornerback. As a true freshman, he started 6 games (including the first 5) out of 12, posting 26 tackles, one sack, one interception and 2 blocked extra points. Against Southern Utah University, he blocked a kick and returned it after a lateral for a defensive extra point.

As a sophomore, he was named a regular starter at cornerback and also served as the punt returner. He registered 55 tackles (third on the team), 7 tackles for loss (third on the team), 10 passes defensed and 2 interceptions.

As a junior, he had 46 tackles (3 for loss), 2 interceptions and 17 passes defended (led the conference). As a senior, he recorded 61 tackles, 3 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns) and 12 passes defended.

During his college career, he accumulated 188 tackles (13 for loss), 39 pass break ups, 8 interceptions (2 returned for touchdown), 3 sacks and one forced fumble. He also returned 17 punts for 116 yards (6.8-yard average) and blocked an extra point. He was just the fifth player in school history to be named a first-team All-MWC selection for three years.

Professional career

Cleveland Browns

McFadden was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round (68th overall pick) of the 2013 NFL Draft.[2][3] On August 30, 2014, McFadden was released by the Browns.[4]

New York Jets

He was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets on August 31, 2014.[5] He was released on September 11.[6]

San Francisco 49ers

On November 1, 2014, he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers to the practice squad. On November 1, he was promoted to the active roster. He was released by the 49ers on September 5, 2015.

Arizona Cardinals

On September 7, 2015, the Arizona Cardinals signed McFadden to their practice squad.[7]

New York Giants

On October 21, 2015, the New York Giants signed McFadden from the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. He was waived on December 5.[8] On December 8, he was signed to the practice squad.[9] On January 4, 2016, McFadden signed a reserve/future contract with the Giants.[10] He was waived by the Giants on September 3, 2016.[11]

Dallas Cowboys

On October 24, 2016, the Dallas Cowboys signed McFadden to their practice squad.[12] On November 5, after injuries to Morris Claiborne and Barry Church, the Cowboys were forced to promote him to the active roster.[13] Playing in his second game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he allowed a pump-fake touchdown from Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown, although he was one of the few Cowboys players that reacted to the play. He was mostly a core special teams player during the season.

On August 29, 2017, McFadden was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.[14] He was released on September 2, 2017.

Atlanta Falcons

On December 4, 2017, McFadden was signed by the Atlanta Falcons, to provide depth while Brian Poole recovered from a back injury.[15] He was declared inactive the rest of the season and the playoffs.

On March 13, 2018, he signed a one-year contract extension.[16] He was released on August 31, 2018.[17]

Personal life

His father, Leon McFadden, was a shortstop and outfielder for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball between 1968 and 1970.

References
  1. "Football Talent Advisors » 2013 » April". Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  2. "Cleveland Browns select Leon McFadden, San Diego State DB, in the 3rd round of NFL Draft 2013". cleveland.com. April 27, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  3. "2013 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  4. "Browns release Leon McFadden". nbcsports.com. August 30, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  5. Lange, Randy (August 31, 2014). "Jets Acquire CB Leon McFadden on Waivers". New York Jets. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  6. Cimini, Rich (September 11, 2014). "Jets waive CB Leon McFadden". ESPN New York. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  7. Urban, Darren (September 7, 2015). "Practice Squad Set For Cardinals". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  8. "Giants sign LB James Morris to active roster; waive CB Leon McFadden". www.giants.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  9. Eisen, Michael (December 8, 2015). "Giants place LS Zak DeOssie, TE Larry Donnell on IR". Giants.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  10. Raanan, Jordan (January 4, 2016). "Giants sign 6 players to reserve/future contracts". NJ.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  11. Eisen, Michael (September 3, 2016). "New York Giants announce 20 roster moves". Giants.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017.
  12. Bouda, Nate (October 24, 2016). "Cowboys Sign CB Leon McFadden To Practice Squad". NFL Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  13. "Cowboys Sign CB Leon McFadden To The Active Roster". DallasCowboys.com. November 5, 2016. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017.
  14. "Cowboys place CB Leon McFadden on injured reserve". 247sports.com. August 30, 2017.
  15. Conway, Kelsey (December 4, 2017). "Falcons sign former Cowboys cornerback Leon McFadden, waive Terrence Magee". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018.
  16. McFadden, Will (March 13, 2018). "Falcons sign Leon McFadden and Austin Pasztor to one-year extensions". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018.
  17. McFadden, Will (August 31, 2018). "Falcons waive Ron Parker, Austin Pasztor; agree to injury settlement with Leon McFadden". AtlantaFalcons.com.
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