Badger Countdown: Former UW head coach records 21 INTs as player
The 2023 college football season is almost underway and the Badgers are now 21 days away from their season opener versus Buffalo on Sept. 2. Former defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jim Leonhard gives the number 21 significant meaning.
Prior to becoming a coach, Jim Leonhard was a very successful safety with Wisconsin from 2001-2004, playing in his final three seasons. Over his three active years in Madison, the safety recorded a total of 21 interceptions, which is tied as the program record.
The impressive amount of takeaways includes a 2002 campaign where he snatched 11 interceptions, which stands on its own as a Badger record while ranking tied for eighth in NCAA history.
He also compiled 1,347 punt return yards and three scores over his three campaigns with Wisconsin, which was the Big Ten record for two seasons until 2006.
Leonhard went on to go undrafted in the 2005 NFL Draft, but he played 10 years in the league. After that, he returned to UW in 2016 as a defensive coach.
