From Lakeville to the Gophers and all the way to the NFL? That might be the next chapter in Mitch Leidner’s story, but the only thing certain right now is that the Leidner era is over at the University of Minnesota. And that’s making a lot of fans happy.
Leidner is considered an “adequate” prospect in ESPN’s NFL Draft grading scale, receiving 53 points on a 0-100 point scale. That means he’s probably a fifth-round talent. He’s the 10th-best quarterback in the draft class of 2017, per ESPN.
Here’s how ESPN describes Leidner’s specific traits.
- Intangibles = Exceptional
- Durability = Exceptional
- Height-Weight-Speed = Above Average
- Production = Average
- Mental Makeup = Above Average
- Accuracy = Average
- Release/Arm Strength = Below Average
- Pocket Mobility = Above Average
Todd McShay called Leidner a first-round pick at the end of last season and the claim is still making Leidner the brunt of jokes, especially after Leidner’s fluky touchdown pass to Shannon Brooks in the third quarter of Tuesday’s Holiday Bowl.
I think Mitch Leidner should also have skipped his bowl game to focus on the NFL draft……am I right Todd McShay????
— Reuvers (@ChrisReuvers) December 28, 2016
Todd McShay STILL hasn't completely given up on his dream of getting Mitch Leidner drafted. Time to revoke his key card, ESPN! #B1G
— Kelly Beaton (@KellyBeaton) December 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/ThomasKastner/status/813913529212424193
Plays like this are why Mitch Leidner is a top-10 pick, amiright? pic.twitter.com/8X0TVf0chf
— Jack McGuire (@JackMacCFB) December 28, 2016
That pass is why Mitch Leidner's going in the first round.
— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) December 28, 2016
That TD pass perfectly encapsulates Mitch Leidner's career.
— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) December 28, 2016
Now I finally know what Mitch Leidner was trying to do in the Penn State and Wisconsin games. #MyBad
— Zach Johnson (@ZachJohnsonGI) December 28, 2016
Mitch Leidner just threw the worst touchdown pass I have ever seen
— LP Spaulding (@LP_Spaulding) December 28, 2016
Happy knowing that this is the last game I have to witness Mitch Leidner in a gophers uniform
— Justin Lee (@justin_lee32) December 28, 2016
I'm kinda gonna miss having to hate Mitch Leidner every weekend. #LeidnerIsland
— Sam Preiner (@spreiner10) December 28, 2016
In four years Leidner completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 7,158 passing yards, 35 touchdowns and 32 interceptions. As a runner, he finished with 1,469 yards and 33 touchdowns.
