Dolphins bring talented FCS edge player to team headquarters for predraft visit
The Dolphins, looking for young edge players to develop, recently brought an intriguing FCS prospect to team headquarters.
Wagner outside linebacker Titus Leo was among the team’s predraft visitors, according to a college source. He has taken pre-draft visits with 11 NFL teams.
Leo produced 36.5 tackles for loss in his final 24 college games despite being routinely double-teamed. He had 52 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery last season.
Leo, 6-4, 243 pounds, was named the Northeast Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021 and averaged 1.7 tackles for loss per game in 2021, which was seventh in the country, to go along with 71 tackles and seven sacks.
Leo impressed in January’s East-West Shrine Game with half a sack and a quarterback hit.
“Another great showing from Wagner DE Titus Leo! Put himself even MORE on the map after a great three days of practice so far at the Shrine Bowl,” College Football Network senior director Cam Mellon tweeted.
SI.com’s Ralph Ventre says “Leo’s athleticism and explosiveness are glaringly evident to any observer of his college game film. The 6-foot-3 edge rusher, who initially came to Wagner as a wiry wide receiver/linebacker, naturally overpowered opponents as an upperclassman at the FCS level.”
The website called Leo “a hybrid pass-rusher who has switched between defensive end and linebacker. He has shown a big time knack for creating game-changing turnovers throughout his career. Primarily rushing from the left side, Leo is extremely quick off the ball snap, stays low and shows violent hands, to go along with great strength. He possesses NFL size/length/power and plays with a high level of intensity. Playing at a small school, Leo has done his part of grabbing the attention of pro scouts by dominating the competition.”
One quality that appeals to the Dolphins is his versatility.
He told draftdiamonds.com that “We’ve changed our defense three times since I’ve been here, having three different defensive coordinators. I’ve played in multiple schemes typically as the edge rusher. I’ve been the Sam linebacker in a 3-4 and the DE in a 4-3. Our head coach also likes to run a lot of 3-3-5 defense. I’m an all-around player and understand my assignment and the playbook.”
He was recruited to Wagner as a wide receiver but moved to defense early in his career.
The Dolphins often are drawn to particularly intelligent players, and Leo would qualify. He told draftdiamonds.com that he graduated in 3 ½ years with a degree in sociology and a minor in journalism. He has been pursuing a master’s in business administration with an MBA in Accounting.
He said his teammates would say “my best quality is my leadership. I am a two-time team captain and have the ability to be vocal and execute tasks.”
The Dolphins have picks in the sixth and seventh rounds and could consider him late in the draft or as an undrafted free agent. (Miami’s other two picks are 51st and 84th overall.)
Teams are permitted to bring 30 nonlocal players to team headquarters on “30” visits. According to sources, the Dolphins have used several on front seven defenders, including Nebraska edge player Garrett Nelson, Bowling Green defensive tackle Karl Brooks and Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. The Dolphins never announce their “30” visits.
This story was originally published April 14, 2023 at 9:37 AM.
