INDIANAPOLIS — Time to get to voting, Colts fans.
The National Football League today announced its five finalists for the 2018 NFL Rookie of the Year award, a list that includes Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard.
But this award is open for public voting — and you can (and should) vote for Leonard as many times as you can handle from now until 3 p.m. ET Monday, Jan. 21 by clicking here.
The winner of the 2018 NFL Rookie of the Year award will be recognized in Atlanta during Super Bowl LIII festivities.
Leonard is the only defensive nominee in a list that also includes New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay and Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
As a rookie, Leonard finished as the NFL's leading tackler (163) while adding 12.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, eight passes defensed, two interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
He set the franchise record for tackles in a single season and his tackle total ranks third in league history for a rookie.
Among rookies this season, Leonard ranked in the top-10 in tackles (first), tackles for loss (second), sacks (second), passes defensed (ninth), interceptions (tied-seventh), forced fumbles (first) and fumble recoveries (tied-first).
Leonard, who just today was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December, was also a two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Week, a two-time NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month (September) recipient.
