On the gridiron, opposing teams can experience Jared Leaf in two ways. As a running back, Leaf has the elusive ability of making the initial tackler miss him and requiring multiple tacklers to bring him down. As a linebacker, he delivers thundering hits against would-be ball carriers. Off the gridiron, Leaf is an above average student who has a sense of humor.
At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Leaf has been playing football for the past ten years and plays both running back and linebacker for the Alhambra High Bulldogs of the Diablo Foothill Athletic League. This Bulldog can run 4.82 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 4.23 seconds, can bench press 315 pounds, squat 365 pounds, and has a vertical of 30.5 inches. Alhambra High had an impressive 11-2 season last year that ended with a North Coast Semifinals loss to Marin Catholic 28-21.
Leaf was a critical part to last season's success as he had 85 rushes for 718 yards with 3 touchdowns and had 18 catches for 216 yards with 3 touchdowns. His efforts earned him DFAL First Team All League Linebacker. For his current season, he has raised the bar for himself and his team as he wants to see the Bulldogs win league. For him, he wants to rush for 1500 yards with 15 touchdowns and register 100 tackles with one interception, which would give him a chance for first team all league for both offense and defense.
Alhambra High Coach Alan Hern says, "Jared is very bright. He's basically a college sized linebacker already at a legit 6-2, 225 lbs. He's a natural athlete who plays TB and MLB for us, but could literally play any position on our team and be the best guy. Great body control, great hands, powerful, good football speed. He is well respected by his teammates and has excellent leadership qualities."
Leaf is known as "Thunder" because wide receiver Trevor Davis and him are known as "Thunder and Lightning" on the Alhambra High campus. Thunder is an apt nickname as he plays quite forcefully. Leaf models his running game after former Houston Oiler Earl Campbell because he runs north and south and delivers blows to defenders. As a linebacker, he models his game after Baltimore Raven Ray Lewis because he plays smart, covers the entire field, and loves to hit.
Alhambra High runs a pro style offense that has Leaf set in the tailback position in an I-formation with a lead blocker. As a result, he lets his blocks develop, makes his moves, and gets up the field into the secondary. On defense, the Bulldogs use a five man front that ties up the offensive lineman and allows him to move more easily and freely in his linebacker position to get to the ball.
During this past summer, he attended camps at Cal Poly, UC Davis, Fresno State, and the University of Oregon. Leaf is constantly trying to get faster as he wants a quicker 40 yard time.
Leaf is being recruited for both running back and linebacker but believes that he will be a linebacker in college. Cal Poly, Cornell, Sacramento St., Fresno State, Harvard, Idaho, Montana State, Navy, Nevada, UC Davis, and Washington State have been in contact with Leaf. Leaf plans to decide after the season is over and wants coaches to have the time to evaluate his game film. He has scheduled visits with Cornell and Washington State in October. Leaf likes Washington State because it is a Pac 10 school and offers the major that he wants to pursue, likes Fresno State because of the great coaching staff, and likes Cornell because of the coaches and the prestige of the university.
Coach Hern says, "I think he's a little under the radar for some big time schools because his combine 40 time wasn't spectacular. He did have an excellent shuttle time though. I've gotten feedback from the Naval Academy linebacker coach that Jared looks faster on tape than his 40 time would indicate (football speed). Smaller schools love him because he is smart and has the physical package to play Division I. Jared probably considers himself a linebacker at the next level, unless he goes to smaller schools where they might use him as a running back. His first choice is some Pac-10 schools and I think he could probably play there, but I don't know if they're willing to look under the surface at what a good player and person Jared is."
Leaf wants to attend a D-1 school that will maximize his football skills. He has no geographic limitations. Academically, this Bulldog has a 3.55 GPA and has a 2030 SAT. He would like to major in Business with a focus on sports management.
Like his school's mascot, Leaf is quite tough both mentally and physically. As a freshman in another high school, his coaches told him that he was too slow to play running back and he was positioned at right tackle. After he transferred schools for non-football reasons, he was given a chance to play fullback as a sophomore and junior. Leaf did not have a father figure for much of his childhood. But he attributes most of his success to his mother.
Listen for Thunder blowing by defenders in the DFAL games this current season.
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