By Pete Pelegrin

When FIU cornerback/kick returner Richard Leonard opted to return for his senior season it probably left a lot of opposing Conference USA coaches like Leonard has been feeling for the past month: sleepless.

A little more than a month ago Leonard became a proud father welcoming son Chase Alija Leonard into the world. As is the case with most newborns, the parents have some long nights and hardly get much sleep in the early going.

"My boy would cry, stop and then cry again," Leonard said during Conference USA Media Day in Boca Raton Wednesday. "I'd get about one hour of sleep and then go practice in the morning. It's all good. When I wake up I smile when I see my baby and I just go 10 times harder at trying to be the best I can be."

Part of being the best Leonard can be came to fruition when he graduated from FIU last spring. Leonard's ambition to be even better also translates to the football field where he wants to improve his speed, if you can believe that from a player that already runs a 4.3, 4.4 in the 40.

"I'm constantly working on my craft and trying to get faster in my workouts," said Leonard, who scored four touchdowns in three different ways (fumble return, two interception returns and punt return) last season.

Before making the decision to return for his senior season Leonard consulted with former FIU players now in the NFL, T.Y. Hilton and Johnathan Cyprien, as well as FIU coach Ron Turner. Hilton and Cyprien told Leonard that he has to do what's best for him and his family. Turner made calls to NFL general managers and scouts to see how Leonard graded out.

"The people I talked to in the NFL basically said if you are not projected to go in the first or second rounds then you should play your senior season in college," Turner said.

As you might imagine a big smile came across Turner's face when he was asked about Leonard returning for his senior season. Mentioning FIU tight end Jonnu Smith's name also brings a wide grin to Turner's face.

Smith led FIU in receiving with 710 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior last season. Smith's receiving prowess is an integral part of the FIU offense but Smith's ability to line up at several receiver spots is just as indispensable because of the mismatches that he creates.

"Jonnu is a headache for defenses," said Leonard, who often covers Smith man-to-man in practice. "He's a physical, big body guy with great hands, but I got him on the speed."

Smith overheard Leonard's speed comment Wednesday and the two Panthers got a good laugh. Still as Leonard wants to improve his speed so does Smith, an Ocala native, who gained nine pounds from last season to currently weigh 241 pounds on his 6-2 frame.

"I feel faster despite gaining nine pounds of muscle," Smith said. "I never get lackadaisical . I'm always looking to improve and part of that is my route running, catching the ball and my speed. I don't feel I've lost a step from last year."

Both Smith and Leonard want the Panthers to take the next step this season. Last year FIU lost four games by three points or less in what was a 4-8 season. The Panthers know if they would have won just half of those games they might have gone to FIU's third bowl game in the program's then-13-year history.

"This year it's about finish," Smith said. "Finishing games and not leaving anything out on the field. We can all get better as a team. That's been the attitude all off-season and that's for everyone including Richard and I who have dedicated ourselves like the rest of our team to getting better."

Leonard and Smith getting better? That will make for some long, sleepless nights for opposing coaches.