East grad McLeod emerges as a player for Pack

Samara McLeod moves up to starting cornerback during spring drills.

By JOE E. CERVI, THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

Samara McLeod had a non-descript high school football career.

A lifelong soccer player, he didn't go out for football until he was a junior. And even then, that was as a kicker.

As a senior, he started for the East Eagles at running back, cornerback, punter and kicker. And they went 0-10.

"No, I didn't get a lot of attention," out of high school, McLeod said with a smile Wednesday morning at Dutch Clark Stadium.

After a season at Eastern Arizona Community College and a year away from football completely, McLeod now is getting plenty of attention. He is penciled in as a starter at cornerback on the newly formed Colorado State University-Pueblo football team.

"It's been pretty amazing," said McLeod, as a hint of his native Jamaican accent still lingers. He was born on the island and moved to the United States when he was 7. He moved to Pueblo in 1993 and graduated from East in 2005.

"The year at Eastern Arizona, I think, was a learning experience for me. It was a way to learn the game at a higher level," he said. "When they started the program here, I wanted to test myself and see if it was for me."

McLeod, 21, is one of a handful of former Pueblo prep players remaining on the ThunderWolves' current roster.

"Everyone here has something to prove. Everyone thought this was going to be just a team for Pueblo kids and there aren't a lot of Pueblo kids around anymore," McLeod said. "This shows how tough it is to play college football. It takes a lot of dedication."

McLeod works with the first defensive unit at one corner. He also handles punting duties during special teams drills.

"I love the kid, love him," CSU-Pueblo head coach John Wristen said. "He's everything this program is about. He's a blank slate, just like the team. You have to teach them everything and hope they learn.

"He's been able to grasp everything we've thrown at him. And he's got a lot of athletic talent."

Defensive backs coach Donnell Leomiti said McLeod possesses all the attributes needed to be a successful defensive back.

"He has the attitude that he wants to get better, he's aggressive, he has good height for a corner, good speed and he likes to hit," Leomiti said. "He's a kid who has worked his way to where he is."

On first-and-goal during a live scrimmage Wednesday, the ThunderWolves' offense attempted a quick-hitter to McLeod's side of the field. He stepped in front of the intended receiver, picked off the pass and thwarted a rare scoring opportunity for the T-Wolves' offense.

Still, that wasn't enough for the defensive backs. Leomiti made them run the stadium stairs - both sides - because they didn't come up with three turnovers during the scrimmage.

"At least three," Leomiti said. "They should have that mentality every time they step on the field."

NOTES: Two wide receivers from Arizona and a fullback from California were no-shows for practice Wednesday and are considered off the team. . .The offense scored a touchdown on a reverse on the final play from scrimmage Wednesday. That drew the ire of defensive coordinator Hunter Hughes. "You have good days and bad days and we had a bad day defensively. We have to get that mentality where we want to dominate every day and we don't have that yet," Hughes said.