Mitch Leigber earned Stanford’s scout staff defensive participant of the week honors three weeks in the past. Now the sophomore security is predicted to get the majority of the carries in one of the hostile environments within the Pac-12 when the Cardinal play at No. 13 Utah Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN).
Leigber is the one working again listed on the depth chart for Stanford (3-6, 1-6 Pac-12) towards the Utes (7-2, 5-1).
Austin Jones and Nathaniel Peat transferred within the offseason, E.J. Smith and Casey Filkins suffered season-ending accidents, and freshman Arlen Harris left the staff final month. The staff’s solely remaining scholarship working again, Brendon Barrow, and walk-on Caleb Robinson additionally acquired banged up just lately, main coach David Shaw to ask Leigber if he needed to change positions.
“Once I acquired that decision I took it as a problem and a chance to assist the staff,” Leigber mentioned. “I wouldn’t have anticipated it if you happen to advised me this is able to occur initially of the season, however it’s been thrilling and it’s been enjoyable simply being on the market with the fellows.”
Leigber performed each working again and security as a sophomore and junior at Laguna Hills Excessive College, recording 1,579 dashing yards, 824 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns on offense, and 186 tackles and 5 interceptions on protection (his senior season was postponed due to COVID-19).
He loved enjoying on each side of the ball however was recruited as a security. He appeared in two video games as a freshman and was totally on the scout staff this season when he was approached by Shaw about transferring to offense main as much as the Oct. 29 recreation at UCLA.
“He didn’t actually pressure it on me, simply mentioned it was an choice,” Leigber mentioned. “It was one thing I noticed as a chance for me, so I used to be excited to get in that place and assist out the staff in any means I can.”
With Barrow obtainable however restricted resulting from harm final week towards Washington State, Leigber began and had 11 carries for 23 yards and three catches for 32 yards.
“He’s acquired a terrific ardour for the sport, and he’s actually sensible, so we’re excited concerning the transformation that he’s made,” Shaw mentioned. “Nonetheless imagine sooner or later in time he’s going to be a beginning security for us, however proper now he’s doing a heckuva job at working again and he’s going to be higher this week than he was final week.”
As anticipated, Leigber had an up-and-down day within the blowout loss to the Cougars, shedding a fumble but in addition gaining 23 yards on a pleasant over-the-shoulder catch. He additionally held up effectively in cross safety.
“For a man who’s enjoying security to have the ability to undergo his reads and safety, after which get fitted up on a linebacker inside or a defensive again outdoors, it’s spectacular,” Shaw mentioned.
Leigber mentioned the recommendation he’s acquired from teammates and coaches centered round having enjoyable and never placing an excessive amount of stress on himself or getting too upset over little errors.
The shortage of a real working again is a far cry from when Stanford fielded Heisman finalists Christian McCaffrey and Bryce Love within the backfield, and one of many causes the Cardinal is a 24-point underdog on Saturday.
Stanford’s different working choices embrace freshman choice QB Ashton Daniels, who has 17 rushes, and sophomore fullback Defend Taylor, who hasn’t tried a run but in school.