HOOVER, Ala. — Leonard Fournette is not a shy man.

After scoring his first collegiate touchdown Sept. 6, 2014, against Sam Houston State, Fournette struck a Heisman pose. One could almost hear the collective groans from coaches on the LSU sideline.

So it was interesting that, on Thursday, he ranked himself behind another running back in the SEC unsolicited.

“(Georgia’s Nick Chubb) is a great person. He has an even better personality,” Fournette said. “He’s a great running back, man. I see hands down he’s the best running back in the SEC. (I’m) just competing against him every day.”

Chubb rushed for 1,547 yards last year despite playing behind Todd Gurley at times, including 100-yard performances in every start he made. Fournette rushed for 1,034 yards, taking a while to adjust to the college game and meet his hype as the No. 1 player in the country.

LSU’s biggest star lost 10 pounds this offseason and is down to 225. He talked Thursday about being a leader to the team’s other young running backs, even though he himself hasn’t been on campus for more than one season.

Asked about whether he has any designs on the Heisman Trophy race this season, Fournette deflected the question with a natural stiff-arm, saying he’s focused on trying to secure a national championship for LSU.

The more selfless, mature Fournette can be attributed to a full year in college — or perhaps to his recent fatherhood. He now has a young daughter.

“It changed (me) a lot,” Fournette said. “It humbled me a lot, just knowing every decision that I try to make, I have to think about her.”