Week Nine's Overnight Sensation: DeMarvin Leal, Defensive Lineman

Each Monday during the 2020 Texas A&M football season, we’ll identify a first or second-year Aggie player who delivered an exceptional performance and earned the distinction of being the week’s ‘Overnight Sensation.’ 

Dearest reader, please read the header before reading any further.

By the definition set forth for this article, DeMarvin Leal meets the criteria for an "overnight sensation" even though he was already a star well before the regular-season finale of his second season in the Maroon & White.

That said, he's deserving of some love after yet another impressive showing in Knoxville this weekend.

Was it the sophomore defensive lineman's best performance of the season? Maybe not, but the year Leal has turned in could earn him all-conference recognition because he has been an unstoppable force week in and week out.

In Saturday's 34-13 thrashing of Tennessee, Leal led the Aggies in tackles with five. That includes three solo stops, a sack and an additional tackle for loss. Simply put, the Volunteer offensive line could not contain Leal or any of his other counterparts along Mike Elko's stout defensive front.

The Converse Judson product's biggest impact in the contest came early in the second quarter. Freshman quarterback Harrison Bailey had moved the Vols to midfield before Leal contacted Bailey's arm as he reeled back to throw, forcing a fumble that was ultimately scooped up by A&M linebacker Andre White. It was one of two takeaways produced by the Aggie defense on the afternoon.

On the season, Leal has made 30 tackles, 14 of which have been solo stops. He posted six tackles behind the line of scrimmage for 26 yards in losses along with 2.5 sacks for 19 yards in losses. In addition to the forced fumble on Saturday, Leal has also recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass this season.

Saturday was just another entry in a marvelous 2020 season for the DeMarvelous Monster.

Leal's stats vs. Tennessee
Tackles: 5
Solo tackles: 3
TFL: 1
Sacks: 1
1 Forced Fumble

Leal's 2020 stats
Tackles: 30
Solo tackles: 14
TFLs: 6.0
Sacks: 2.5
1 Forced Fumble
1 Fumble Recovery
1 Interception

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