Leighton Vander Esch: A College Football Star
Who is Leighton Vander Esch?
Leighton Vander Esch is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Boise State, and was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Vander Esch was a standout player at Boise State, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2017. He was also named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American. In his junior season, he recorded 144 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.
Vander Esch was drafted by the Cowboys with the 19th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He started all 16 games as a rookie, recording 140 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and was voted to the Pro Bowl.
In 2019, Vander Esch missed six games due to a neck injury. He returned to start 10 games and recorded 78 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 1 interception. He was again voted to the Pro Bowl.
Vander Esch missed the entire 2020 season due to a neck injury. He was released by the Cowboys in 2021.
Vander Esch is a talented linebacker who has shown flashes of brilliance in his NFL career. He is a hard hitter and a sure tackler. He is also a good pass rusher and has the potential to be a Pro Bowl player.
Leighton Vander Esch College
Leighton Vander Esch played college football at Boise State University.
- Boise State Broncos
- All-American
- Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year
- First-team All-Mountain West
- 144 tackles
- 8.5 tackles for loss
Vander Esch was a standout player at Boise State, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2017. He was also named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American. In his junior season, he recorded 144 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.
1. Boise State Broncos
The Boise State Broncos are the athletic teams that represent Boise State University. The Broncos compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MWC).
- Football
The Boise State football team has been one of the most successful Group of Five teams in recent years. The Broncos have won 23 conference championships and have made 20 bowl game appearances since 1999.
- Basketball
The Boise State basketball team has also been successful in recent years. The Broncos have won two MWC regular season championships and have made three NCAA Tournament appearances since 2014.
- Other sports
Boise State also fields teams in baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, and track and field.
Leighton Vander Esch played football for the Boise State Broncos from 2015 to 2017. He was a standout player for the Broncos, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2017. He was also named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American. In his junior season, he recorded 144 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.
2. All-American
In college football, an All-American is a player who is selected to the All-America Team, which is composed of the best players in the country. Leighton Vander Esch was named a consensus All-American in 2017, meaning that he was selected to the All-America Team by all of the major selectors.
- First Team All-American
The first team All-America Team is the most prestigious All-America Team. It is composed of the 25 best players in the country, regardless of position.
- Second Team All-American
The second team All-America Team is composed of the 25 players who are considered to be the next best after the first team All-Americans.
- Third Team All-American
The third team All-America Team is composed of the 25 players who are considered to be the next best after the second team All-Americans.
- Honorable Mention All-American
Honorable mention All-Americans are players who are considered to be among the best in the country, but who did not make the first, second, or third team All-America Teams.
Leighton Vander Esch was one of the most decorated players in college football in 2017. He was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press, the Football Writers Association of America, and the Sporting News. He was also named a second team All-American by ESPN and CBS Sports.
3. Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year
The Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award is given annually to the best defensive player in the Mountain West Conference (MWC). Leighton Vander Esch won the award in 2017.
- Criteria
The award is voted on by the MWC coaches. The coaches vote for the player who they believe is the best defensive player in the conference, regardless of position.
- Past winners
Some of the past winners of the award include:
- Kamalei Correa (Boise State, 2015)
- Brian Urlacher (New Mexico, 1999)
- Robert Mathis (Alabama A&M, 2002)
- Vander Esch's season
In 2017, Vander Esch led the MWC in tackles with 144. He also had 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions. He was a key member of a Boise State defense that ranked among the best in the country.
Vander Esch's win of the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award is a testament to his outstanding performance in 2017. He was one of the best defensive players in the country, and he played a major role in Boise State's success.
4. First-team All-Mountain West
The First-team All-Mountain West is an annual award given to the best players in the Mountain West Conference (MWC). Leighton Vander Esch was named to the First-team All-Mountain West in 2017.
- Recognition of Excellence
The First-team All-Mountain West is a prestigious award that recognizes the best players in the conference. It is a significant honor for any player to be named to the First-team All-Mountain West.
- Impact on Team Success
Players who are named to the First-team All-Mountain West are typically key contributors to their teams' success. Vander Esch was a key member of a Boise State team that won the Mountain West championship in 2017.
- NFL Draft Prospects
Players who are named to the First-team All-Mountain West often have a good chance of being drafted into the NFL. Vander Esch was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Vander Esch's selection to the First-team All-Mountain West is a testament to his outstanding performance in 2017. He was one of the best players in the conference, and he played a major role in Boise State's success.
5. 144 tackles
In the 2017 college football season, Leighton Vander Esch led the Mountain West Conference (MWC) in tackles with 144. This impressive statistic played a significant role in his recognition as one of the top defensive players in the country and contributed to Boise State's success that season.
Vander Esch's high tackle count is a testament to his exceptional instincts, athleticism, and work ethic. He consistently found himself in the right position to make plays and was able to bring down ball carriers with force and efficiency. His ability to shed blocks and pursue the ball from sideline to sideline made him a nightmare for opposing offenses.
Vander Esch's 144 tackles were a key component of Boise State's success in 2017. The Broncos finished the regular season with a 10-2 record and won the MWC championship. Vander Esch's ability to stop the run and create turnovers helped the Broncos' defense to rank among the best in the country.
Vander Esch's performance in 2017 earned him numerous accolades, including being named a consensus All-American and the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. He was also selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Leighton Vander Esch's 144 tackles in the 2017 college football season is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication. It is a statistic that will forever be etched in Boise State football history and is a reminder of the impact that one player can have on a team's success.
6. 8.5 tackles for loss
In the 2017 college football season, Leighton Vander Esch recorded 8.5 tackles for loss, which played a significant role in his recognition as one of the top defensive players in the country and contributed to Boise State's success that season.
Tackles for loss are an important statistic for defensive players, as they measure the player's ability to disrupt the opposing offense and prevent them from gaining yards. Vander Esch's 8.5 tackles for loss were a key component of Boise State's success in 2017. The Broncos finished the regular season with a 10-2 record and won the MWC championship. Vander Esch's ability to stop the run and create turnovers helped the Broncos' defense to rank among the best in the country.
Vander Esch's performance in 2017 earned him numerous accolades, including being named a consensus All-American and the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. He was also selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Leighton Vander Esch's 8.5 tackles for loss in the 2017 college football season is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication. It is a statistic that will forever be etched in Boise State football history and is a reminder of the impact that one player can have on a team's success.
Frequently Asked Questions about Leighton Vander Esch College
This section provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Leighton Vander Esch's college career.
Question 1: Which college did Leighton Vander Esch attend?
Answer: Leighton Vander Esch attended Boise State University.
Question 2: What position did Leighton Vander Esch play in college?
Answer: Leighton Vander Esch played the linebacker position in college.
Question 3: What awards and honors did Leighton Vander Esch receive in college?
Answer: Leighton Vander Esch received numerous awards and honors in college, including being named a consensus All-American, the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, and the First-team All-Mountain West.
Question 4: What were Leighton Vander Esch's statistics in college?
Answer: In his junior season, Leighton Vander Esch recorded 144 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.
Question 5: When was Leighton Vander Esch drafted into the NFL?
Answer: Leighton Vander Esch was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about Leighton Vander Esch's college career. For more information, please visit the Boise State Broncos website or the Dallas Cowboys website.
Transition to the next article section:
Leighton Vander Esch's professional career
Conclusion
Leighton Vander Esch's college career was one of the most decorated in recent memory. He was a consensus All-American, the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, and the First-team All-Mountain West. He led the conference in tackles and was among the nation's leaders in tackles for loss and sacks. Vander Esch's performance helped Boise State win the Mountain West championship and earn a berth in the Fiesta Bowl.
Vander Esch's success in college earned him a first-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He has continued to excel in the NFL, establishing himself as one of the league's top young linebackers. Vander Esch's story is an inspiration to young athletes everywhere. It shows that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
Article Recommendations
