After three seasons of boom-or-bust play for the LSU Tigers, running back Leonard Fournette has decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2017 NFL Draft.
Fournette, who rushed for only 843 yards and eight touchdowns this season in an injury-riddled campaign, announced his decision via Twitter.
“I will be declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft after our bowl game,” Fournette wrote. “I made this announcement now so that there will not be speculation and distractions while we prepare. I want everyone to know that I will forever treasure my experience as a Tiger. I will take with me the many valuable lessons that I have learned here, and the love that you have shown me throughout the years. I will forever be an LSU Tiger.”
Forever LSU, Forever Buganation pic.twitter.com/sdkN0JaonF
— 7⃣ Leonard Fournette (@_fournette) December 5, 2016
Fournette’s last game with LSU will be against Louisville in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. At 7-4, the No. 20 Tigers will take on the No. 13 Cardinals, who finished the season with a 9-3 record.
Despite his relatively disappointing final season in The Bayou, Fournette’s legacy at LSU will be one of dominance.
At times, he was easily one of the best running backs in college football and one of the most physically dominant players we’ve seen in a long time. If not for the various injuries he’s suffered — likely due to his physical style of play — he’d be a sure first rounder in this upcoming draft. And though his draft stock is questionable, his impact on college football was clear. In three seasons, Fournette has rushed 616 times for 3,830 yards and 40 touchdowns, and he’ll have a chance to add to that total if he gets healthy in time for LSU’s bowl game.
He’s a former five-star recruit, ranked as the consensus top recruit in the nation in 2014.