Van Leigh Tiffin Jr. (born August 3, 1988) is an American former college football player who was a kicker for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Named for his father, Tiffin is called Leigh to distinguish him from Van Tiffin.
 Tiffin kicking an extra point for Alabama | |
| No. 10 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Placekicker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | August 3, 1988 Muscle Shoals, Alabama, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 212 lb (96 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: | Alabama |
| Undrafted: | 2010 |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
College career
editTiffin, who wore number 99 for the Alabama Crimson Tide, got his chance to kick as a freshman following a groin injury to starting kicker Jamie Christensen. Tiffin was a hero, kicking the game-winning 47-yard field goal, in Alabama's 13–10 win over Vanderbilt on September 9, 2006.[3] However, two weeks later against a very strong Arkansas team, he would miss three field goals in a 24–23 overtime loss, including the game-tying extra point.[4] Christensen returned to the role the following week against Florida and except for two extra points against Florida International. Tiffin would be benched for the remainder of the season.[5][6]
In 2007, he won the starting placekicking role over Christensen. The highlight of his sophomore year was when he went 4–4 in field goal attempts (39, 51, 29, 50) in a losing effort against Mississippi State. He was only the second kicker in Alabama football history to make two 50+ yard field goals in a game, the other being his father.[citation needed] His four kicks were Alabama's only points of the game.[7] He finished the 2007 season converting all 36 extra point attempts and 25 of 34 field goal attempts.[8]
In the 2008 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff, Tiffin kicked a 54-yard field goal, his career long, in a 34–10 victory over #9-ranked Clemson.[9] He finished the season with 20 of 29 field goals and a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award.[10]
For the 2009 season, he was 30 for 35 on field goal attempts for 87.9 percent.[11] After kicking a field goal against LSU, he became Alabama's all-time leading scorer with 350 points. That year, he was named Lou Groza Award "Star of the Week" three times and was a finalist for the Groza. In mid-December, Tiffin was named to the Associated Press All-American Team along with five other Crimson Tide players.
Professional career
editTiffin was given a tryout with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent[12] and agreed to a rookie free agent deal on May 3, 2010.[13] He was waived/injured on May 18 and reverted to injured reserve. He was released from injured reserve with an injury settlement on May 26.
Personal life
editTiffin, born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, is the son of Mia Michelle (née Self) and Van Leigh Tiffin. His father, known as Van, was a former Crimson Tide kicker who was the hero of the 1985 Iron Bowl against rival Auburn.[14] Leigh Tiffin graduated from Muscle Shoals High School.[15]
Tiffin married Baylee Ann Ellson. They have a daughter, Ava Bayleigh; their son Van Leigh III was born January 5, 2013.
References
edit- ^ "All-SEC Football Team Announced". SEC. December 9, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 13, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
- ^ "2009 AP All-SEC Team". SEC. December 7, 2009. Archived from the original on December 13, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
- ^ "Freshman walk-on's 47-yard FG lifts 'Bama over Vandy". ESPN. Associated Press. September 6, 2006. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2008.
- ^ "OT kicking woes doom Alabama". ESPN. Associated Press. September 23, 2006. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2008.
- ^ "Florida International at Alabama Box Score, October 28, 2006". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- ^ "Leigh Tiffin 2006 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- ^ "Miss. State earns second straight win over Bama". ESPN. Associated Press. November 10, 2007. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved September 20, 2008.
- ^ "Leigh Tiffin 2007 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- ^ "No. 24 Alabama limits No. 9 Clemson's ground game in upset victory". ESPN. Associated Press. August 30, 2008. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008.
- ^ "Leigh Tiffin 2008 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- ^ "Leigh Tiffin 2009 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ Estes, Gentry (April 26, 2010). "Alabama's Leigh Tiffin is headed to mini-camp with the Cleveland Browns". AL.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ Estes, Gentry (May 3, 2010). "Tide's Leigh Tiffin agrees to free-agent deal after tryout with Cleveland Browns". AL.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ "ALL-USA Where Are They Now: Van Tiffin". USA TODAY High School Sports. May 23, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ McIntyre, Jeff (July 11, 2006). "Tiffin poised to kick in dad's shadow". Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved September 19, 2024.