When runningback Mike McLeod ’09 got to Yale, he had some big shoes to fill. Yes, he was named last year’s New Haven Register Player of the Year after rushing for 2,829 yards and 63 touchdowns during high school, but he was replacing Rob Carr ’05, the best career rusher in Yale history. But because McLeod did not let that intimidate him, he finished his rookie season with 689 yards and was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

McLeod had his best games against Harvard Nov. 19 and Columbia Oct. 29. In The Game, McLeod finished with 91 yards and found his way to the end zone on a 5-yard rush to put the Bulldogs up 21-3 at the beginning of the third quarter. The 5-foot-11 tailback also rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns in the Elis’ 37-3 rout of the Lions. But McLeod had his fair share of growing pains, only breaking the century mark twice against two non-league opponents. Despite that, McLeod still distinguished himself enough to be the Male Rookie of the fall. If he can keep himself healthy, he should become an even more important contributor to the football team.