Meet the Newest New England Patriot: Titus Leo

The New England Patriots made three roster moves on Tuesday, all involving linebackers. Curtis Jacobs, who suffered a head injury during a Rams kickoff return Sunday, was placed on injured reserve. New England released linebacker Ochaun Mathis, which opened up a second spot on the 53-man roster. One of those spots was filled with the addition of Titus Leo.

The Patriots signed Leo off of the Indianapolis Colts practice squad.

Meet Titus Leo

Leo attended Sheepshead Bay High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. The school’s alumni include Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer Rico Petrocelli and comedian Larry David. Leo was a no-star recruit and opted to enroll at Wagner College, an FCS program, to continue his athletic career.

As a freshman in 2018, Leo played both offense and defense. However, eligibility issues and a leg injury limited him to just three games. He returned in 2019 and played linebacker full-time for the Seahawks. Leo recorded 68 tackles in 11 games. However, his development hit another snag in 2020 when the season was canceled due to COVID. Wagner did play two games in the spring of 2021, which saw Leo record 15 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.

The 2021 season saw his domination from spring ball continue. Leo led Wagner with 71 tackles and added 7.0 sacks. His final season at Wagner resulted in 65 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Titus Leo was twice named the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-NEC honors three times.

NFL Career

Measuring 6-foot-3 and weighing 245 pounds, Leo ran a 4.69 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Indianapolis selected Titus Leo in the sixth round (No. 211 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He went one pick after New England drafted wide receiver DeMario Douglas. The pick was largely a projection of Leo being able to develop as a pass rusher. He would be facing a significant upgrade in competition from the NEC to the NFL and had only been used as an edge rusher for two seasons.

Leo played in all three preseason games for Indianapolis. He recorded seven tackles, three quarterback pressures, and a sack. However, the Colts placed him on season-ending injured reserve before final cuts with a reported knee injury

This season, Leo appeared in only one preseason game, recording five tackles. Indianapolis cut him at the end of camp before re-signing him to the practice squad.

Titus Leo becomes the second player Indianapolis Colts player to join the New England Patriots since the end of training camp. He joins defensive lineman Eric Johnson II. Curtis Jacobs heading to IR leaves a void on special teams. Leo could get an opportunity to fill that hole as he develops as a pass rusher in Foxboro.