Matt Leo

Last updated

Matt Leo
Philadelphia Eagles
Position:Player development assistant
Personal information
Born: (1992-05-08) 8 May 1992 (age 32)
Adelaide, South Australia
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:280 lb (127 kg)
Career information
High school:St Michael’s College
College: Iowa State
CFL draft: 2021G  / round: 4 / pick: 35
Undrafted: 2020
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Matthew Leo [1] (born 8 May 1992) is an Australian former American football defensive end and coach who is a player development assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Iowa State and spent three seasons with the Eagles as a player, joining them through the International Player Pathway Program (IPPP).

Contents

Early life and education

Matthew Leo was born on 8 May 1992 in Adelaide, South Australia, [2] [3] and raised in the suburb of Semaphore. He played Australian rules football for St Michael's College, Adelaide, in year 10. [4] However his passion was rugby league and he played for a club in Adelaide. [5] Matt is of Rotuman descent from his paternal side.

He worked as a plumber before playing American football professionally. [6] [7] [8] He went to college at Arizona Western College [9] before going to Iowa State, making his debut at the age of 26. [10] [8] He was a medical redshirt in 2017. [11] [12] [13] He had 33 tackles and 3 sacks in his college football career. [14] [8] He was named first-team Academic All-Big 12 in 2019. [15]

Professional career

On 27 April 2020, Leo was allocated to the Philadelphia Eagles as part of the International Player Pathway Program. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] He was waived during final roster cuts on 4 September 2020, [21] and signed to the practice squad under an international player exemption two days later. [22] [23] He signed a reserve/future contract with the team after the season on 4 January 2021. [24]

Leo was selected by the Edmonton Elks in the fourth round (35th overall) of the 2021 CFL Global Draft in April 2021. [25] On 4 May 2021, he was given an NFL roster exemption as an international player for a second season. [26]

On 31 August 2021, Leo was waived by the Eagles and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. [27] [28] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on 18 January 2022. [29]

On 30 August 2022, Leo was waived by the Eagles and signed to the practice squad the next day. [30] [31] On 15 February 2023, Leo signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles. [32]

Post-playing career

On 25 July 2023, Leo announced his retirement from the NFL. [33] Soon after, he was hired as a defensive and football operations assistant on the coaching staff. [34] On 9 June 2024, Leo was promoted to the role of player development assistant. [35]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. Y. McGill</span> American football player (born 1992)

Torrone "T. Y." McGill Jr. is an American professional football nose tackle for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at NC State and signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2015. McGill has since been a member of several other NFL teams.

Kevon Seymour is a professional American football cornerback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Seymour has also played for the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joshua Perkins</span> American football player (born 1993)

Joshua Perkins is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Washington and was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deon Cain</span> American football player (born 1996)

Deon Cain is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Clemson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marvin Wilson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1998)

Marvin Wilson is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Florida State and signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marken Michel</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Marken Michel is an American professional football wide receiver for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at UMass before signing with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Michel has also been a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers and Washington Football Team / Commanders of the NFL.

Craig James is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Southern Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hakeem Butler</span> American football player (born 1996)

Hakeem Butler is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Iowa State, and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, BC Lions, Edmonton Elks, Pittsburgh Steelers, and St. Louis Battlehawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elijah Holyfield</span> American football player (born 1997)

Elijah Esaias Holyfield is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. He is the son of former heavyweight world champion boxer Evander Holyfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross Pierschbacher</span> American football player (born 1995)

Ross Pierschbacher is an American professional football offensive guard. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sua Opeta</span> American football player (born 1996)

Iosua Opeta is an American professional football guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for Weber State, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2019.

Josiah Scott is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Ostman</span> American football player (born 1995)

Joe Ostman is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He played college football for Central Michigan. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raequan Williams</span> American football player (born 1997)

Raequan Williams is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Michigan State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grayland Arnold</span> American football player (born 1997)

Grayland Arnold Jr. is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Baylor.

Noah Togiai is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Oregon State and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Eagles in 2020.

Adrian Killins Jr. is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the UCF Knights. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) and Arlington Renegades of the XFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elijah Riley</span> American football player (born 1998)

Elijah Riley is an American professional football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2020 following his college football career at Army.

Michael Jacquet III is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2020 following his college football career with the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayode Awosika</span> American football player (born 1998)

Kayode Awosika is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Buffalo and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2021.

References

  1. ↑ "Matthew Leo". ESPN.com. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  2. ↑ "How 'Friday Night Lights' helped pave the way for Matt Leo to join the Philadelphia Eagles". pennlive. 30 April 2020.
  3. ↑ "Matt Leo Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  4. ↑ Matt Leo Eagles Profile
  5. ↑ Adelaide rugby league tragic becomes next Aussie in NFL Pathway Program following Jordan Mailata, Valentine Holmes by Melanie Dinjaski for Nine.com.au 6 February 2020
  6. ↑ "Matt Leo joins surprisingly long line of Philadelphia Eagles from Australia". 16 May 2020.
  7. ↑ Bowen, Les (6 May 2020). "He's gone from Australian plumber's apprentice to Eagles signee, but Matt Leo is just getting started". www.inquirer.com.
  8. 1 2 3 "From plumbing to clogging gaps, the incredible story of new Eagles DE Matt Leo". www.philadelphiaeagles.com.
  9. ↑ "From smoko to the big smoke: Matt Leo lands in Philly". ESPN.com. 8 May 2020.
  10. ↑ "How Matt Leo went from a plumber's apprentice to an NFL contract". www.sportingnews.com. 14 August 2021.
  11. ↑ McMullen, John. "Matt Leo Friday Night Lights Dream Reaches Eagles". Sports Illustrated Philadelphia Eagles News, Analysis and More.
  12. ↑ Birch, Tommy. "From plumber to promising playmaker: The story of Iowa State's Matt Leo". Des Moines Register.
  13. ↑ Gowton, Brandon Lee (29 June 2020). "Eagles Rookie Profile: 5 things to know about Matt Leo". Bleeding Green Nation.
  14. ↑ "Matt Leo shows just how much he's learned in senior season at Iowa State". www.thegazette.com.
  15. ↑ "Matt Leo's improbable journey from Aussie plumber to the NFL". ESPN.com. 7 June 2020.
  16. ↑ Grotz, Bob (30 April 2020). "Leo chasing his dream role with the Eagles". The Delaware County Daily Times.
  17. ↑ Call, Nick Fierro The Morning (7 May 2020). "Eagles' Australian connection gets stronger with Matt Leo". Press of Atlantic City.
  18. ↑ Apody, Jamie (1 May 2020). "Philadelphia Eagles sign rookie defensive end Matt Leo, a former plumber from Australia". 6abc Philadelphia.
  19. ↑ "Australian DE Matt Leo can thank Friday Night Lights for starting his football journey". RSN. 2 May 2020.
  20. ↑ "From plumbing to the Philadelphia Eagles: The remarkable journey of Australian DE Matt Leo". American Football International. 29 April 2020.
  21. ↑ McPherson, Chris (4 September 2020). "Eagles make five more roster moves". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  22. ↑ McPherson, Chris (6 September 2020). "Eagles announce practice squad that includes QB Josh McCown". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  23. ↑ "Aussie NFL rookie's unusual team bonding". wwos.nine.com.au.
  24. ↑ Erby, Glenn (4 January 2021). "Philadelphia Eagles sign 9 players to reserve/future contracts". USAToday.com. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  25. ↑ "2021 Global Draft Tracker". CFL.ca. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  26. ↑ "Four Players Added to 2021 Rosters Through International Player Pathway Program". NFL.com. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  27. ↑ McPherson, Chris (31 August 2021). "Eagles announce initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  28. ↑ "Eagles agree to terms with 15 players to join the practice squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. 1 September 2021.
  29. ↑ McPherson, Chris (18 January 2022). "Eagles sign 11 players to Reserve/Futures contracts". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  30. ↑ McPherson, Chris (30 August 2022). "Eagles announce initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.[ permanent dead link ]
  31. ↑ McPherson, Chris (31 August 2022). "Eagles sign 15 players to the practice squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  32. ↑ "Eagles sign 9 players to Reserve/Futures deals". theeagleswire.usatoday.com. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  33. ↑ "Eagles' 31-year-old defensive end project decides to retire". NBC Sports. 25 July 2023.
  34. ↑ Hare, Jacob (7 August 2023). "Eagles Hire Newly-Retired DE To Coaching Staff". Sports Illustrated .
  35. ↑ "Eagles Announce Numerous Updates To Front Office". profootballrumors.com. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.