SAD news: Georgia lose their star man to the denver broncos As An Undrafted Free Agent

Former Georgia Tech tight end Dylan Leonard is joining the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent after being undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Leonard played 453 snaps last season and ended with a 60.6 offensive grade, according PFF. This year, he received a run blocking grade of 57.4, which was lower than his 2022 rating of 70.9.

Leonard was among the athletes that addressed the media following Georgia Tech’s Pro Day, and he mentioned that he was consulting former Yellow Jacket and current Green Bay Packers tight end Tyler Davis for guidance regarding the draft process:

“I think Tyler Davis, the former tight end for Georgia Tech, taught me a lot. I relied heavily on him because he had gone through this process four years prior, has a wealth of expertise, and had re-signed with the Packers, demonstrating his evident understanding of how to handle situations correctly. As a result, I relied heavily on him for advice on the interview process and what to look for. I also learned a lot from him during our training and put it to use. He has been a reliable source of support for me ever since I moved to this location, so I feel very fortunate to have him on my side.”

Although Leonard’s receiving stats were never spectacular (he caught 13 receptions for 127 yards and one touchdown), he was a reliable run blocker and a terrific addition to the locker room. Throughout the 2023 season, Leonard received praise from Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key multiple times:

“I understand that you are discussing Dylan Leonard’s development as a receiver, but anyone who has watched him play this season would be in awe of his skills. At No. 2, he is competing on a par with any tight end in the nation in terms of his ability to block, move, and block on the perimeter. I am incredibly proud of this young man and what he is doing for the football team. Watch the way he plays for 50, 60, or 65 plays in a game if you want to speak about someone who is all about this place, someone who bleeds White and Gold and Georgia Tech.He embodies Georgia Tech; his tenacity, toughness, intelligence, and style of play are what this program is all about. Gaining catches would be an added benefit to his work for this football squad. Throughout the entire position, the tight end is playing the best football I have ever seen in my entire career.”

According to Georgia Tech Athletics’ bio:

2023 (Senior): Participated in all 12 games during the regular season, starting 11 as tight end. Appointed as the team’s permanent captain by his teammates… Among the twenty contenders for the 2023 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, given to the finest leaders in college football who demonstrate extraordinary bravery, honesty, and sportsmanship both on and off the field… Despite having modest receiving numbers (13 receptions for 127 yards and a score, all career highs), he has become one of the top tight ends in the country because of his leadership both on and off the field and his ability to block runs and passes. Four times in his career, he caught more than one pass in a game: twice at Boston College (Oct. 28), twice against No. 17 Ole Miss (Sept. 16), twice at Virginia (Nov. 4), and twice at Clemson (Nov. 11), where he scored his first touchdown of the season from four yards out. had his longest catch of the season (23 yards) and a season-high 27 receiving yards against Ole Miss.

2022 (Junior): Started eight games as a tight end and participated in nine total. led Tech’s tight ends and finished seventh on the squad in terms of receiving yards (90) and receptions (11). After sitting out the first two games of the season, he emerged as a key component of Tech’s passing attack over the next six games, hauling in 11 receptions for 90 yards. hauled in a season-high three receptions for eighteen yards on October 29 at Florida State. caught two catches for 29 yards, a season-high, against Duke on October 8th. achieved success in the classroom and on the field, winning a renowned ACC Postgraduate Scholarship, being selected to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, the all-ACC Academic Team, and being named a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy (best scholar-athlete).

2021 (sophomore year): Started 10 games and participated in 11 overall as a tight end. led Tech’s tight ends and finished sixth on the squad in terms of receiving yards (112) and receptions (11). In the latter six games of the season, he contributed significantly to Tech’s passing game with 10 receptions for 107 yards after making just one catch for five yards in the first six games of the season. had multiple receptions in four of the season’s final six games.pulled in a season-high three 21-yard receptions against Boston College on November 13th. played on November 20 against No. 6 Notre Dame, averaging 14 yards per catch (two for 28 yards)… caught two catches on November 27 against No. 1 Georgia for a career-high 43 yards. Against UGA, the yards per reception of 21.5 was also a career high.

2020 (Sophomore – “Covid Year” – year of eligibility maintained): Prior to the season, the former walk-on was awarded a scholarship. participated in the season’s final seven games after missing the first three, making starts against Boston College on October 24 and Notre Dame on October 31. caught three catches this season for a total of 23 yards. On October 9, the player made his season debut with a career-long 15-yard reception against Louisville. recorded receptions of four yards against both BC and ND. made a lone tackle on October 17 against Clemson.

2019 (Freshman): Used as a backup tight end in all 12 games… hauled in his first-ever reception for three yards against South Florida on September 7th. also caught a 3-yard pass on October 12 at Duke. On October 19, took an 8-yard kick return versus Miami (Fla.).

High school: ESPN rated me as a three-star prospect. Played tight end and wide receiver for Milton for three years, earning letters. was chosen as captain for the final season… assisted in guiding Milton to the 2018 Georgia 7-A state championship… Awarded the title of Region 5 7-A Offensive Player of the Year and first team all-region… Obtaining second-team all-state recognition… was also chosen to the North Fulton first team… As a senior, hauled in 875 yards off 48 receptions. Additionally, he scored a two-point conversion and caught ten touchdowns.Set the school record for the most consecutive three-touchdown games by hauling in three touchdowns in three different games. The 2018 Milton squad that won the state championship included former Tech quarterback Jordan Yates, current Georgia Tech teammates Brandon Best, Anthony Minella, and Paul Tchio. Adam Clack is the coach… played baseball at Milton as well, starting two seasons as an outfielder.