DeMarvin Leal provides perfect answer on his run-stopping focus at NFL Combine

Former Texas A&M Aggies star DeMarvin Leal really emphasizes stopping the run as a defensive lineman. Leal, who is viewed as a borderline first round pick in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft, gave a great answer at the NFL Combine on Friday about why he focuses so much on stopping the run.

“To create pass rushing opportunities. When you stop the run, you make them have to change what they’re doing and go to their other option, which is – that’s how we make money,” Leal said at the NFL Combine. “That’s how we do it. Defensive ends, defensive tackles, we love when it’s a pass because that means it’s time to go.”

DeMarvin Leal on stopping the run: pic.twitter.com/4G82IgZUtl

— Alex Kielar (@AlexKielar) March 4, 2022

This past season was the best of Leal’s three-year career at Texas A&M. He finished with career highs with 58 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, also adding a forced fumble and two passes defended. In his collegiate career, Leal totaled 133 tackles with 25 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, one interception, five passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

When he originally declared for the NFL Draft, Leal was mocked by some as a late selection in the first round. Over the following months, his stock has fallen a bit, and he now seems more likely to be taken in the early-to-mid second round. In ESPN Jordan Reid’s previous two-round mock draft, Leal was selected 43rd overall by the Atlanta Falcons.

Leal has a lot to prove at the NFL Combine

Ahead of the NFL Combine, CBS analysts Josh Edwards, Ryan Wilson, and Chris Trapasso looked at some players that need to save or boost their stocks in Indianapolis. For Wilson, Leal is the player with the most to prove at the Combine as the NFL Draft continues to inch closer.

“Here’s to hoping DeMarvin Leal balls out,” Wilson said. “His tape was up and down in ’21 but there’s no denying his physical tools. He just needs to tap into those tools more consistently. He was regularly making appearances in my mock drafts back in the fall but admittedly, I was waiting for him to turn it on.

“It didn’t happen, and while NFL teams are enamored by his potential, it never quite materialized. Leal can hit the reset button this week in Indy by blowing the doors off the workouts and here’s to hoping he does just that.”

Leal has the physical tools to make it to the NFL, and his numbers suggest that he will make an impact. The former Aggies star stands at six-foot-four and 290 pounds, and he could push back towards that fringe first round area with a strong showing at the NFL Combine.