ORANGEBURG, SC — All American linebacker Darius Leonard ended his South Carolina State home career with a bang, picking up eight tackles, two sacks and a win over Hampton University. After the bang came the pop, as in popping the question.

Leonard, still in full uniform, got down on his knee at midfield and proposed to his girlfriend, Kayla Michelle Sanderson. She said yes!

This is so awesome! Congrats Darius Leonard! @SCStateAthletic Darius Leonard proposes following their last home game of the season! Peep how hyped his teammates are for him. #SquadGoals pic.twitter.com/lAsFnPPIuK — FloFootball (@FloFootball) November 11, 2017

Next stop: NFL

Leonard was surrounded by his teammates and some curious onlookers while asking the most important question a man could ever ask a woman. Sanderson seemed to choke back a tear or two while cradling a bouquet of roses. Sanderson may soon be a part of the NFL wives club. Her future husband is the reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, has 103 tackles on the season so far, and is projected to be picked in this year’s NFL draft.

Bulldogs in the Pros

How about this. The last two players to win Defensive Player of the Year before Leonard were both SCSU players and both were drafted into the NFL. Joe Thomas won the award in 2013 before going to the Green Bay Packers. Javon Hargrave won the award in 2014 and 2015 before being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2016 draft.

Leonard has one more chance to shine as SC State closes out this season on Saturday at Savannah State.