Indianapolis Colts rookie linebacker Darius Leonard is having an outstanding rookie season. He leads the National Football League in tackles with 155. He also has seven sacks and has forced four fumbles. He has 23 more tackles than Green Bay’s Blake Martinez who is in second place. Leonard has started and played in 14 games.

Yet, he was not voted to the Pro Bowl.

He is still in the running for defensive rookie of the year. More importantly, the Colts are in the running for the AFC South title and/or a berth in the playoffs. A win and they’re in the playoffs. A win and a Houston loss and the Colts win the division.

We had the chance to talk with Darius in an exclusive interview about being snubbed from the Pro Bowl, the magnitude of the game against the Titans, his maturation over the season, the play of quarterback Andrew Luck, about other former HBCU players doing well in the National Football League and about his time at South Carolina State.