Getting experienced players at the linebacker position was an important objective for head coach Zach Kittley and new linebacker coach Aaron Schwanz, who made a solid addition to that part of the Florida Atlantic defense with the landing of Leon Hart.
Leon Hart
Linebacker
6-1, 215 lbs
Transfer
Marshall
Hart announced his commitment to the Owls on Wednesday evening via X, shortly after entering the portal on Dec. 12. He joins the team with two years of eligibility remaining.
He looks for a new opportunity after being a member of the Marshall Thundering Herd for three seasons, seeing his role grow in the 2024 season. He made appearances in all 12 regular-season games, making 13 tackles (four solo) including 1.5 for a combined loss of two yards.
A 6-foot-1 athlete, Hart can play on the defensive side of the field at a high level. His ability to make stops at a constant rate with tackles and sacks is noteworthy regarding the potential he showcased at Edison High School.
As a senior, he made 152 tackles (94 solo), which includes 28 for a loss of yardage, as well as 22 sacks for a combined loss of 30 yards. He reached double-digits in tackles throughout every game of the season, helping the Edison football team finish with a 7-5 record in 2021.
Hart was viewed as a consensus three-star prospect by recruiting outlets coming out of high school. On 247Sports, he has an 84 score as the 146th-best linebacker in the Class of 2022 and the 184th-best player in the state of Florida. Not only was he offered by FAU at the time, he also was being recruited by the likes of Alabama, Kentucky, Penn State, Miami, Syracuse, and Maryland among other schools before enrolling at Marshall in June 2022.
Joining FAU’s linebacker room as one of the more experienced players at the position, Hart has the opportunity to impose himself as a leader with the skill-set he brings to the table as an active pass rusher and tackler.
His highlights from last season with the Thundering Herd can be viewed below: