Leandre Diarra

Leandre Diarra

Leandre Diarra at Columbia Lions football practice in 2049.
No. 45 – London Royals
Position:	Fullback
Personal information
Born:	(2026-09-03)September 3, 2026 (aged 36) Paris, France
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	255 lb (116 kg)
Username:	Slate-2
Career information
College:	Columbia
DSFL Draft:	2050  / Round: 6 / Pick: 42
Career history
Minnesota Grey Ducks 2049 (S34)* London Royals (2050 (S35))
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:	Active

Leandre Souleymane Diarra (born September 3, 2027) is an American football fullback who plays for the London Royals in the DSFL. He played college football for Columbia as a running back, fullback, and tight end.

Early years

Leandre Souleymane Diarra was born in Paris to his parents Amidou Diarra and Mareme Diarra, both first-generation immigrants to France from Africa. His father was a Malian footballer who moved to France at age 20 to play for Olympique Lyonnais, while his mother had immigrated at a much younger age from Senegal. Leandre has a younger sister, Leonie, and a younger brother, Thibault.

Leandre was initially interested in following in his father's path as a professional soccer player and was enrolled in Olympique de Marseille's football academy at the age of 9. Despite initial promise and success as part of the club's Under-13 side, when Diarra was 16 Marseille informed him that he would not receive a scholarship to continue on with the club. Diarra began to pursue other athletic and intellectual pursuits, dedicating himself to his schoolwork and beginning to compete in other sports, including track and field (hammer throw, shot put, discus throw, and hurdles) and fencing.

College career

Leandre Diarra was accepted to Columbia University and received an athletic scholarship for Track & Field, where he competed mainly in the hammer throw and shotput events. He was interested in pursuing other sports and received permission to try out for the Columbia Lions football team, where he earned a roster spot at running back. In his four year football career with the Lions, he amassed 1,642 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.

Diarra graduated in May 2049 with a degree in African American and African Diaspora Studies.

Track and Field

Diarra achieved moderate success in track and field during his time at Columbia. His best finish was 2nd place in hammer throw at the 2047 Ivy League Outdoor Track and Field Championships. That season, he also qualified for the 2047 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in hammer throw and shotput, though he failed to place top 8 in any events.

American Football

Despite never playing organized American football prior to attending Columbia, Diarra took to the game quickly. After making only 3 appearances in his freshman season, Diarra played in all 10 games in his sophomore season, totaling over 300 yards rushing and 100 receiving. Diarra made 5 starts at running back in his junior season and totaling the second highest rushing yards of any player on the team. In his senior season in 2049, new head coach Anders Hill had Diarra take some snaps at fullback and tight end to block for his fellow running backs. Diarra responded well to the new role and drew interest from DSFL scouts in these roles, despite his rushing yards suffering as a result.

Diarra declined to declare for the DSFL draft immediately after finishing his college football career, instead taking what he has referred to as a gap year to think through the decision and train further.

College career statistics

Career statistics			Rushing					Receiving
Season	Team	Games	Att	Yards	Avg	Lg	TD	Rec	Yards	Avg	Lg	TD
2045	Columbia	3	9	34	3.8	12	0	1	9	9	9	0
2046	Columbia	10	73	317	4.3	34	5	22	178	8.1	23	1
2047	Columbia	10	147	756	5.1	26	7	31	229	7.4	42	1
2048	Columbia	10	113	535	4.7	19	3	37	322	8.7	28	0

DSFL Career

DSFL Waivers and DSFL Draft

Having taken a gap year after his final season at Columbia, Diarra declared for the DSFL draft in November 2049, making him eligible to be claimed on waivers as a temporary roster move and placing him in the draft eligible player pool for the following spring. The Minnesota Grey Ducks claimed Diarra off of waivers to end the 2049 (S34) DSFL season, and Diarra served mainly as the team's second tight end. The Grey Ducks with Diarra made the Ultimini that season but ultimately lost to the Dallas Birddogs.

In the DSFL draft, Diarra was taken in the 6th round by the London Royals. In interviews, Diarra said he was surprised to be drafted so early but was eager to prove himself to the team, and to have the opportunity to play football closer to his family in Europe.

London Royals

Diarra played primarily as fullback and backup running back for the London Royals in their 2050 season. In his first full season in the developmental league, Diarra established himself as a top player at the position by leading all players at the position in rushing yards and yards per carry while securing the second most pancake blocks with no sacks allowed.

DSFL Career Statistics

Career statistics			Rushing					Receiving					Other
Season	Team	Games	Att	Yards	Avg	Lg	TD	Rec	Yards	Avg	Lg	TD	Pancakes	Sacks Allowed
2049 (S34)	Grey Ducks	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	7	2.3	3	1	7	0
2050 (S35)	Royals	14	52	255	4.9	20	0	8	20	2.5	7	3	32	0

ISFL Career

In the Season 36 ISFL Draft, Leandre Diarra was selected with the $X-th overall pick by $TEAM.

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