Former FAMU All-American kick/punt returner Leroy Vann has signed with the Cincinnatti Bengals and is currently in Bengals camp. Vann, spent last season with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League, where they won the 2010 Grey Cup, which is the league championship. Vann, started out last season with the San Francisco 49ers, before he was released.
While at FAMU, Vann was a sensational and record-setting punt and kick returner for the Rattlers. He had a knack for finding the crack and breaking open for big gains. He is one of only five players in NCAA FCS history to return both punts and kicks for over 1,000 yards in his career.
Vann had 58 career punt returns for 1,033 yards and eight TDs. He also returned 81 kickoffs for 1,973 yards and three TDs, giving him an NCAA career best 11 combined returns for touchdowns. He currently holds nine school and conference records, while tying a tenth. He owns five NCAA records, while tying for a sixth.
Vann was also a tough defensive player. He had 107 total tackles (74 solo), 13.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions.
FAMU Head Football Coach Joe Taylor was not surprised at all to find out that Vann had been given the opportunity in the NFL again. "With all he did here, I knew that his career wasn't over. He kept his focus after the 49ers and went on to earn a Grey Cup. He did a great job of working hard toward his goal and staying active," Taylor said.
View Vann’s page on the Bengals website here.