DL #33

Deane Leonard

Cornerback · Ole Miss

A Calgary-born Vanier Cup champion turned Day 3 dart throw who has carved out a role for the Chargers as a special-teams standout and depth cornerback.

Deane Leonard's road to the NFL ran through Canadian football before it ever touched the SEC. The Calgary native won a national title north of the border, transferred to Ole Miss to chase an NFL shot, and has spent four-plus seasons grinding out a role in the Chargers' secondary and coverage units.

★ Vanier Cup champion with Calgary (2019)

★ 2x All-Canadian selection at Calgary

★ First career NFL interception came on a toe-tapping sideline grab in the 2024 AFC Wild Card game

Path to the league

Leonard began his college career with the Calgary Dinos, helping the program win the Vanier Cup in 2019 and earning two All-Canadian selections while picking off six passes in 23 games. He transferred to Ole Miss ahead of the 2020 season to finish his collegiate career in the SEC. The Chargers selected him in the seventh round, No. 236 overall, in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

Leonard has spent his entire NFL career with the Chargers, working primarily as a special-teams contributor while pushing for defensive snaps. His signature moment came in the 2024 AFC Wild Card round against Houston, when he hauled in a toe-tapping interception on the sideline for his first career pick. In 2023 he started the first three games of his career, finishing with 28 tackles, a tackle for loss, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.

2025 season recap

Leonard was placed on injured reserve in late August 2025 with a leg injury, which cost him the first month of the season. He returned to play in eight games, recording five tackles while logging heavy special-teams snaps, a role he has consistently filled for the Chargers since entering the league.