Rick Leonard feels more confident heading into his second season on the offensive line

For Florida State offensive lineman Rick Leonard, one year has made a world of difference in his development.

Leonard, who was just wrapping up his first fall camp on the offensive line this time last year, started at right tackle in FSU’s opening game against Ole Miss. This in spite of the fact that he had been learning the position for around six months. Safe to say, the inexperience showed.

After three games, Leonard was removed from the starting lineup. He had time to regroup and learn more in practice and, when called upon later in the season, he showed great improvement when starting in FSU’s final three games of the season. The highlight of this period was Leonard holding his own against eventual first-round draft pick Taco Charlton of Michigan in the Orange Bowl.

For Leonard, the strides he has made in his game are clear.

“I feel a lot more confident,” Leonard said. “I put in a lot of work this summer. I did last summer too, but it was a little different because I had never played offensive line last year.”