A linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League, Leighton Vander Esch. He is 116 kg in weight and 1.93 m tall. He participated in basketball, track, and football while attending Salmon River High School in Riggins. There were eleven graduates in his class in 2014. He was a middle linebacker and quarterback in football.
His senior year saw him complete 121 of 199 passes, or 60.8% of them, racking up 2,155 yards, 28 passing touchdowns, and only one interception. He was a student there and a football player for the Boise State Broncos. It was his breakout season as a junior in 2017 when he started at weak-side linebacker.
In the latter stages of his collegiate career, he finished with 188 tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 interceptions. On December 21st, 2017, Vander Esch declared that he would forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL Draft. He went to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine in late February, where he successfully finished all of the positional workouts.
The linebacker’s all-around performance at the combine, when he tied for second place among linebackers in the vertical leap and short shuttle, pleased the scouts. In the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Vander Esch as their third-choice linebacker. In that year, a four-year deal with a $11.84 million value and a $6.69 million signing bonus was finalized.
Why does Leighton Vander Esch wear a neck pad?
He was diagnosed with spinal stenosis as a baby so he plays wearing a neck collar that serves as coverage.
Does Leighton Vander Esch have spinal stenosis?
Yes. He was born with spinal stenosis.