Gifted Athlete is Also a Selfless Leader
In just two short years in Baton Rouge, LSU running back Leonard Fournette has hit Mick Jagger-like rock star status not just on campus, but around the country as well.
The Heisman hopeful finished last season with 1,953 rushing yards, compiling 22 touchdowns in his stellar sophomore campaign.
While Fournette has definitely seen an incredible boost in fame and popularity, the limelight is something that he’s been dealing with since high school, and it’s something that he won’t let faze him.”I first started receiving national attention my freshman year of high school,” explained Fournette. “I was the number one freshman in America. I had four consecutive games with 200 rushing yards. But I was young; I didn’t really care too much about it. It wasn’t overwhelming at all.”
But with all the talent at his disposal, it was ironic that Fournette wasn’t even sure that football was going to be his cup of tea.
“I actually quit football when I was younger,” laughs Fournette. “Running laps and all, that wasn’t for me. I came back a year later; my dad saw me on the sidelines playing with my older cousins and that was where my football career took off.”
Fournette received unbelievable exposure throughout high school. He was one of the most highly-touted and sought-after recruits in years, as well as a unanimous five-star prospect by every recruiting site. Numerous scouts were comparing him to Minnesota Vikings running back and NFL All-Pro Adrian Peterson, and some called him the best Louisiana prospect since Ed Reed and Peyton Manning.
Even with sky-high expectations, Fournette didn’t disappoint, finishing his outstanding high school career by racking up just over 5,000 yards rushing and adding 62 rushing touchdowns to his resume.
Ultimately, Fournette signed with LSU and became one of the most anticipated recruits to come to Baton Rouge, but just like every other incoming freshman, there was a small adjustment period in the transition to college.
“It was different,” recalls Fournette. “You’re waking up on your own and you got to get to class. Your mom isn’t in there pulling the covers off you, screaming and spraying Febreze in the air. It helped me mature as a man, and I think it was the best for me.”
Fournette started to hit his stride in his first year at LSU. In “The Swamp” against the Florida Gators, Fournette had his break-out game, rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He finished out his first year by setting an LSU freshman rushing record with 1,034 yards, while leading the league in all-purpose yards with 137.4 yards per game.
However, Fournette refused to become satisfied with his early success. He continued to set the bar higher for himself and worked even harder in the offseason.
“The only thing I remember doing is working harder that summer (in 2015),” said Fournette. “Hard work pays off. I pray every night to God. He helps me become a better athlete, person and a better man. All glory goes to him.”
And if people didn’t know who Leonard Fournette was before the 2015 season, they quickly discovered that he was a force to be reckoned with in college football.
Fournette became a consensus First Team All-American in 2015, leading the SEC and the nation in rushing with 162.8 yards per game. He rushed for at least 100 yards in 10 games, while collecting over 200 yards in four of those games.
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He was a Doak Walker Award finalist, and he broke the LSU single-season rushing record, one that was previously held by Charles Alexander for 38 seasons. He also tied an NCAA bowl record of five touchdowns in the Texas Bowl against Texas Tech, and his ability on the field has left his teammates and coaches in awe.
“If you open the slightest hole, he’s going to do something big with it, so it makes it easier for us,” said offensive guard William Clapp.
“He’s athletic, fast, strong and big, but his best attribute is how smart he is,” said LSU running backs coach Jabbar Juluke. “His ability to understand football is very impressive. He’s been a cornerstone in our room, making sure everybody is up to par with the knowledge of what we’re trying to do. He’s trying to teach those guys and put himself in a position to continue to be successful. He tries to elevate not only his teammates, but himself as well.
“It’s a pretty daunting task to make sure a guy with that kind of ability continues to be a leader on and off the football field. I want to make sure that he has a level head and he maximizes the abilities that he does have. “
For all of his on-the-field accomplishments and his God-given talent, Fournette believes that his experiences in his hometown of New Orleans, pre-and-post-Hurricane Katrina, have helped fuel and mold him into the man that he is today.
(Katrina) was crazy,” said Fournette. “My whole family moved to Texas, and it made us stronger as a whole. It changed me as an individual, and it taught me to never take things for granted.”
Since his arrival on campus, Fournette has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of LSU’s leaders both on and off the field. Last year, he auctioned off his game-worn jersey after the South Carolina game in a gesture to help raise money for flood victims in South Carolina, fetching over $100,000 for flood relief.
“I was very shocked. I didn’t think my jersey was worth that much money to be honest,” said Fournette. “When it did, it was very humbling and very exciting at the same time to know you can make a change in this world.”
And with the Heisman Trophy and numerous other personal accolades at stake this year, Fournette is poised for another big season, and he is determined to remain focused, attributing his success to his teammates blocking for him, while also acknowledging that football doesn’t last forever.
“My teammates are my brothers,” said Fournette. “They mean a lot to me. Watching them each and every day working hard, sweating blood and tears protecting us, we wouldn’t want it any other way.
“As far as football, I don’t take anything for granted. If you get hurt, it can get taken from you in seconds. (The best advice is to) just stay prayed up with everything you’re doing.”