DeMarvin Leal

DeMarvin Leal (born July 1, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies. He was named a consensus All-American as a junior in 2021.

DeMarvin Leal

Leal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023
No. 98 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(2000-07-01) July 1, 2000 (age 25) San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
High school:	Judson (Converse, Texas)
College:	Texas A&M (2019–2021)
NFL draft:	2022: 3rd round, 84th pick
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (2022–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Consensus All-American (2021) First-team All-SEC (2021)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles: 33 Sacks: 1.0 Pass deflections: 4 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Leal attended Judson High School in Converse, Texas. He played in the 2019 U.S. Army All-American Game.^[1] He committed to Texas A&M University to play college football.^[2][3]

College career

As a true freshman at Texas A&M in 2019, Leal played in all 13 games and had seven starts. He recorded 38 tackles and two sacks.^[4] He returned as a starter his sophomore year in 2020.^[5][6][7] He started all nine games, recording 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception.^[8]

During the 2021 season, he was named a midseason All-American by the Sporting News,^[9] Associated Press,^[10] and The Athletic.^[11] Leal completed the season with 58 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks, and was named a consensus All-American.^[12][13] Leal decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2022 NFL draft.^[14]

Statistics

Season	GP	Defense
		Tckl	TFL	Sck	Int	FF
2019	12	38	5.5	2.0	0	0
2020	10	37	7.0	2.5	1	1
2021	11	58	12.5	8.5	0	1
Career	33	133	25.0	13.0	1	2

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 3+7⁄8 in (1.93 m)	283 lb (128 kg)	33+1⁄4 in (0.84 m)	9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m)	5.00 s	1.72 s	2.90 s	4.49 s	7.20 s	30.5 in (0.77 m)	9 ft 2 in (2.79 m)	17 reps
Sources:[15][16]

Leal was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round, 84th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft.^[17] He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.^[18] He recorded his first start in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills.^[19] He was placed on injured reserve on October 15, 2022.^[20] He returned in Week 13.^[21] He finished his rookie season with two starts in 11 appearances. He had 14 total tackles and three passes defensed.^[18]