Nick Leyden

Height:
6-2
Weight:
250
Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Santa Maria, CA
High School:
Pioneer Valley HS

Expected to battle Chris Lawrence for the starting nod as nose tackle on the defensive line this fall.

2012 -- Played in all 12 games as a backup tackle on defensive line and recorded 13 total tackles (six solo) ... season-high two tackles in three different games ... notched sacks against Idaho State and Weber State and also assisted on a tackle for lost yardage against San Diego ... forced a fumble in Idaho State contest ... three quarterback hurries for season, including two against Idaho State ... one tackle in 2013 Spring Game.

2011 -- Hampered by injury, played just two games as a sophomore ... did not record any tackles against South Dakota State and Eastern Washington ... recorded one tackle in 2012 Spring Game.

2010 -- Played in final four games of freshman season on the defensive line, but did not record any tackles ... played in 2011 Spring Game.

2009 -- Redshirt ... notched two tackles and recovered a fumble, returning it 10 yards for a touchdown in 2010 Spring Game.

High School -- Recorded an impressive 279 tackles in his last two seasons under head coach Greg Dickinson at Pioneer Valley High ... as a senior, had 83 solo tackles and 71 assisted stops for 154 total tackles, No. 1 in the Los Padres League, and also contributed a pair of sacks, one interception, a fumble recovery, five forced fumbles and blocked five field goal attempts ... named team co-MVP, Los Padres League defensive back of the year, co-MVP of the All-Area Team as selected by Lee Central Coast Newspapers and first-team All-CIF-Southern Section Northwest Division ... Pioneer Valley finished 9-3 overall and placed second in the Los Padres League, advancing to the quarterfinal round of the CIF-Southern Section Northwest Division playoffs before falling to Oaks Christian ... Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year and played in Santa Barbara County All-Star Game ... notched 125 total tackles as a junior, including 52 solo stops, and 5.5 sacks, en route to first-team All-Los Padres League and All-Area honors ... earned a varsity letter as a sophomore as well, notching 53 tackles (30 solo), including two sacks ... a fullback and tight end on offense ... visited Air Force before choosing Cal Poly ... also was contacted by Fresno State, Washington and Oregon ... first male athlete to earn a college scholarship in Pioneer Valley’s five-year history ... maintained 3.71 cumulative GPA ... also participated in wrestling, baseball, swimming and track for two seasons each at Pioneer Valley.

Personal -- Son of Scott and Sharon Leyden ... two brothers, Matt and Jason ... wants to be a strength and conditioning coach ... born Feb. 27, 1991, in Santa Maria, Calif. ... kinesiology major.