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NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah has been working diligently at his “first look” scouting series this offseason, which involves him breaking down some of the best players in college football heading into the 2016 campaign.
Up next: LSU star running back Leonard Fournette. And yes, the “hype was warranted,” according to Jeremiah.
As a sophomore in 2015, Fournette took 300 carries and rushed for 1,953 yards (6.5 ypc) and 22 touchdowns, adding 19 receptions, 253 yards and another score as a legitimate passing option for quarterback Brandon Harris.
Jeremiah broke down his film from three games: Auburn, Alabama, and Texas Tech, where he combined to run for 471 yards and found the end zone eight times. Here’s what he liked about Fournette’s performances last year:
“The obvious — height, weight and speed,” wrote Jeremiah of Fournette, who stands at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds and runs a 4.35-second 40-yard dash. “He has rare physical traits for the position. He is ultra-explosive and also has a natural gift as a runner. He has a feel for finding creases and attacks the hole with ferocity. He hunts for contact. While some runners stop their feet when met with contact, Fournette changes gears and explodes through defenders. He has excellent lateral quickness and he can make the free man miss when he wants to. He flashes a nasty spin move and he can create space where none exists. Once he gets into the open field, he has the speed to go the distance. His hands are very reliable and he catches the ball away from his body.”
As for what Fournette needs to improve on — it has nothing to do with his ability to run the ball; instead, the ability to run crisp routes and become an even better pass protector could elevate his game in the future.
So where does that leave us heading into the fall?
“Fournette is a unique talent,” said Jeremiah. “In an era of backfield by committee, he’s the type of back that can carry a heavy workload. He can grind out tough yards, but he’s also capable of popping a long run at any moment.
“Comparisons are tough for Fournette,” he continued. “I see a mix of Todd Gurley and a young Frank Gore. After Fournette rushed for 212 yards and scored five touchdowns in LSU’s 56-27 Texas Bowl victory over Texas Tech, one veteran personnel man gave me a different comparison: LeBron James.”
Fournette kept his talents close to home by choosing to play for his hometown LSU Tigers. Now the expectation in Baton Rouge is for the “New Orleans Hammer” to bring a ring home to Death Valley.
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
