
Blitz Acquires Rookie Quarterback
May 22, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release
(Bakersfield, CA) - The Bakersfield Blitz announced today they have officially been assigned rookie quarterback John Leonard from the arenafootball2 league office. Known to display great accuracy and a strong work ethic, he will back-up Blitz starter Chad Elliott, providing athleticism and depth to the quarterback rotation.
"I'm real happy to be back out here in California," said Leonard. "Coach Fuller gave me an opportunity to come out here and play, so I'm going to make the most of my opportunity. The Arena game is a lot different, but I think I will be able to adjust quickly."
Leonard, 6-2, 202 lbs., spent the 2002 season at the University of Cincinnati. While at Cincinnati, Leonard backed up starting quarterback Gino Guidugli, participating in two contests and rushing three times for 19 yards. He did not see any action in the 2001 season.
Prior to joining the Cincinnati football squad, Leonard spent a season at Arizona State University. He started eight games completing 29-of-74-passes for 340 yards, throwing one touchdown and four interceptions. Leonard finished the season with a QB rating of 39.18.
After High School, Leonard played at El Camino Community College throwing for 2,765 and 31 touchdowns in eleven games. He earned numerous awards including First-Team All-Mission Conference honors, freshman of the Year and All-State accolades.
Leonard prepped at Santa Ana Mater Dei High School. He earned First-Team All-South Coast League honors as a senior, also earning First-Team Division I All-California Interscholastic Federation (C.I.F.) kudos for the Southern Section. During his senior year he passed for 2,463 yards, 21 touchdowns, three interceptions and completed 61 percent of his passes. He also set a school record for yards passing in a single game with 406 versus Mission Viejo High. During Leonard's tenure, Mater Dei won 27 games in a row and was league champion all four of his years there. He led team to two C.I.F. Championship games at the Los Angeles Coliseum and Mater Dei won the 1994 and 1996 USA Today National Championship.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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