- published: 15 Oct 2007
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Ben Leber (born December 7, 1978) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kansas State University.
He has also played for the Minnesota Vikings.
Lining up primarily at running back, Leber was named to several high school All-America teams at Vermillion High School in South Dakota. As a junior, he rushed for 1,404 yards and 18 touchdowns, and notched 1,350 yards in his senior year. That season, he was declared a Parade Magazine All-America (the only South Dakotan so honored in 1997), an honorable mention All-USA by USA Today, and was selected to play in the North-South Dakota All-Star game. An excellent student, he was also an Academic All-State selection. He also went to School in Albia, Iowa.
At Kansas State, Leber made the switch to full-time linebacker. A two-time All-Big 12 selection, he finished his college career with 216 tackles, 46 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks. His 216 career tackles were the fifth most in Kansas State history. As a junior, he earned second team all-conference honors. The year later, he was an All-America third-team selection by the Associated Press, a consensus All-Big 12 Conference first-team choice, and a team captain. He received a degree in business-general management in 2002.