Mikel Leshoure

RB · Illinois
Leshoure enrolled at the University of Illinois -- a minutes-long commute from his home near Champaign Centennial High School -- in January 2008 without taking a visit to any other university, and attended his first class just weeks after his record-breaking high school career ended. Eager to get on the field knowing he was clearly in a jumbled group of youngsters vying to back up Rashard Mendenhall (23rd overall pick, Steelers, 2008), Leshoure was 35 carries into his freshman season when he suffered a broken jaw courtesy of a punch from teammate Jeff Cumberland. "I've matured a lot," Leshoure said at the combine, a notion supported by Illinois' coaching staff and Ron Zook. When he finally ascended to a starting role, Leshoure broke the school single-season rushing record with 1,697 yards and 20 total touchdowns as a junior all-Big Ten running back in 2010. He was the workhorse for a 7-6 Illinois team that won its first bowl game since 1999, rushing for 187 yards and three touchdowns as the Texas Bowl MVP in December. But Leshoure was just as eager to get to the NFL, where he'll follow in Mendenhall's and Pierre Thomas' footsteps but also fulfill a dream. "I believe I have accomplished everything I can at the college level and want to go after my dream: playing in the NFL," Leshoure said. It wasn't anything near certain that Leshoure would become "the guy" for the Illini until fall camp last year. He's worked hard to, in his own words, "keep growing" since he was born in prison and spent all but four years of his life without his father, who also spent time in prison. "It was just me and my mother," he said. "I'm an only child, so it was just me and her. I learned a lot from that. I learned from an early age that I have to be the man of the house and take care of my mother and myself and it taught me a lot of responsibility and it made me the man I am today." Leshoure doesn't have Mendenhall's straight-line speed but has some burst to and through the line of scrimmage and can get the corner on outside runs. His forte is breaking tackles and using his low center of gravity to roll through defenders. NFLDraftScout.com ranks Leshoure as a close second to Alabama's Mark Ingram at the position, but some teams could be concerned about Ingram's mileage and the condition of his knee. Sources recently suggested to NFLDraftScout.com's Rob Rang that Ingram, widely considered a top 20 overall prospect, could drift to the bottom of the first round or into the second. If so, Leshoure could be there to carry the flag for the position. "I definitely think I can be the No. 1 back taken," said Leshoure. "That's my goal. Everyone has their own opinion. You hear a lot of different stuff and see a lot of different things on T.V. But with my versatility and the things I can bring to the table, it will show a lot of scouts and GMs that I can be their guy." Even if he's not the first back off the board, Leshoure could impact the game as a runner and receiver as the back he models himself after, Steven Jackson of the Rams, has since being drafted 24th overall in 2004. Jackson had better timed speed (4.45 in 2004) and is almost two inches taller, but their style of play is similar. "He's a big guy but he's very versatile," Leshoure said. "He shows good hands and he shows toughness and he plays through injuries, and I feel like I can do all of those things and hopefully he'll have a career like he has so far."

Recent Mikel Leshoure Notes

Hitting the road: Illinois football in its last 10 nonconference road games