On his touchdown run during LSU’s 23-17 win Thursday against Texas A&M, freshman running back Leonard Fournette had the speed to burst through the line, the power to obliterate a safety and the acceleration to sweep around the left and score. In one play, Fournette confirmed his potential to be special.
Everyone knows the talent is there — now, it must be managed.
LSU may have the best running back in the country for the next two years. It is now the coaches’ job to not wear Fournette out and to keep him healthy throughout his career. The New Orleans native should be the star back, but he can’t get every carry.
LSU coaches are aware of the type of player they have in Fournette. He made the same bruising and dazzling plays from the Texas A&M game in practice, a sample of what was to come. LSU also had two senior running backs, so Fournette’s carries remained only here and there.
Those veteran backs are graduating now, so Fournette becomes the No. 1 guy heading into 2015. But fellow freshman Darrel Williams has been impressive too, and his services, along with some incoming freshmen, will be vital to next season’s success. Knowing LSU Coach Les Miles, he’ll gladly choose a running back carousel over one back doing everything.
The coaches will feel the pressure as Fournette begins to display his talents more often. The self-proclaimed “Buga Nation,” a group of people following Fournette since high school, will beg LSU to use him on almost every play.
But this is not Saint Augustine High School, where Fournette could carry the load for four seasons while he ran past kids with no shot at playing in college. This is the Southeastern Conference, where every defender has size and injured ankles become commonplace for feature backs.
Fournette is only 19 years old, and he has probably dreamed countless times of leading LSU to a national title and winning the Heisman. He has also probably dreamed of going pro, making millions of dollars and making sure his family never has to worry about money.
There is a chance Fournette can achieve both of these dreams. But between the two, I think everyone knows which one is more important.
I’m sure a good deal of people have told Fournette how great he is going to be in the NFL, and he’s got nothing to worry about. But he should look at the numbers. Most backs only last three years in the league, never getting a chance to sign a blockbuster contract.
The pinnacle moment of an NFL running back isn’t breaking all-time records and getting 35 carries per game. It’s making it to the second contract, the one that can set you up for the rest of your life.
Take a quick glance at the NFL, and see former LSU running backs Alfred Blue and Jeremy Hill making huge contributions to their teams. There’s also former Tiger Stevan Ridley sidelined with an ACL injury and uncertain about his future with his team.
Fournette is the obvious choice to start every game next year, and he should be the guy getting the big carries late in games against Alabama and Ole Miss. But when it’s the third quarter and LSU is up 31 on McNeese State, Fournette better be on the sidelines.
The speed, power and acceleration Fournette showed Thursday will come again — the question is for how long. It could be through college, through five or seven years, or through an illustrious NFL career.
It all depends on LSU, and how it maintains such a rare and special talent.
Tommy Romanach is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Dallas. You can reach him on Twitter @troman_92.