Klipper Automotive Player of the Week: Jimmy Leon | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Mica Mountain Senior Jimmy Leon rarely leaves the field on Friday nights.

The defensive end and tight end is one of the top two-way players in the state. He showed that in the Thunderbolts’ first round playoff win. 

“The big time players come up in big time games,” Head Coach Pat Nugent said. “Jimmy has really upped his game a lot.”

Leon had three catches for 35 yards and two touchdowns in Mica Mountains 45-10 win over Coconino. That was just on offense. He had eight tackles, two sacks and a pick six on defense. 

“He’s a beast,” Nugent said. “He’s a physical kid. He flies around the field. He has a tremendous amount of athletic ability for a big kid.”

Leon looks up to several NFL players who have a similar style of play.

“I’d say George Kittle,” Leon said. “He can do it all. I’m a 49ers fan so I like Kittle. I also like Gronkowski who went to the U of A.”

And on defense…

“I’d say Myles Garrett,” he added. “He’s another athletic freak. I try to model my game off him.”

That has paid off. Leon has seven division one offers, including Arizona State, NAU and New Mexico State.

“The end goal is to keep playing the game I love and take care of my family and get a degree,” Leon said. “Basically set the stepping stones for my life.”

First, Leon has his sights set on a state championship. He came close his freshman year at Salpointe Catholic (The Lancers lost to Horizon in the title game). He and Mica Mountain made it to the semifinals last year, before losing to Canyon Del Oro.

Leon and his fellow 30 seniors know what it takes to win it all. 

“It takes a lot but I’d say the two biggest things are to continue playing as a team and work as hard as you can,” Leon said.

Leon and the 4-seed Thunderbolts host 5-seed Thunderbird in the 4A quarterfinals Friday at 7 p.m.