Alabama brought back former star running back to simulate Leonard Fournette
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How do you simulate a Heisman Trophy contender? With another Heisman Trophy contender, of course.
Former Alabama running back Trent Richardson — currently an NFL free agent — played the role of LSU’s Leonard Fournette in practice last week, according to a report from 247Sports.
“It’s pretty cool because I grew up watching those dudes,” senior linebacker Ryan Anderson told 247Sports. “I look up to them so to be out there with them, it’s just a different feeling.”
Alabama has shown a trend of bringing back former players to run with the scout team, which is legal under NCAA bylaws, like when Blake Sims returned to emulate Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight. John Parker Wilson also participated in practices last week, simulating Tigers quarterback Danny Etling.
Richardson, who played in Tuscaloosa from 2009-2011 and was third in Heisman voting in his final year, clearly helped his former team prepare for No. 19 LSU. The top-ranked Crimson Tide held Fournette to just 35 yards on 17 carries in a 10-0 win in Tiger Stadium.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
