Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Well, Leonard Fournette didn’t win the Heisman Trophy as a true freshman as he had hoped, but he could certainly contend for the award as a sophomore. Fournette emerged as the primary ball carrier for LSU midway through the 2014 season and finished with 1,034 yards and ten touchdowns on 187 carries – a solid 5.5 yards per carry.
Over the last eight games of the season, Fournette averaged 92.7 yards per game, broke the century mark five times and topped 140 yards three times. A powerful runner at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Fournette also displayed breakaway speed with a 46-yard run in the season finale against Texas A&M and an 89-yard touchdown in the Music City Bowl against Notre Dame.
If we were ranking running backs individually, Fournette would be higher on the list. But with LSU replacing Terrance McGee and Kenny Hilliard this off-season, the Tigers have some concerns when it comes to depth at the position. Darrell Williams ran for 302 yards and three scores last season as a freshman, and is expected to be the primary backup. A few signees – Darrius Guice, Nick Brossette and David Ducre – will compete for carries.
Next: 4. Auburn