Throughout LSU football coach Les Miles’ tenure, there has always been a rotation in the backfield, feeding a “seize every opportunity” mentality among the running backs.
But this season, Miles’ running back-by-committee approach faces a major threat in the form of sophomore running back Leonard Fournette.
After rolling into Baton Rouge as the overall No. 1 recruit of the 2014 class by the recruiting service 247Sports, Fournette spent his freshman season manhandling Southeastern Conference defenders and breaking the LSU freshman rushing record.
Although Fournette enters the 2015 season as one of the top backs in the nation, the depth of LSU’s young running back corps behind him will be crucial to the Tigers’ offensive success by keeping Fournette healthy throughout the grind of the SEC schedule.
“There’s reason to say that Leonard could be that 20‑carry back, but I think there’s a point in time, too, where you don’t want to wear him out, and you do not want an injury,” Miles said during LSU Media Day on Aug. 16. “You don’t want to keep pressing the line of scrimmage when he’s tired. So we’re very fortunate to have guys that can step in and play and play very big roles behind him.”
Sophomore Darrel Williams leads the rest of the backfield as the only other returner while freshmen Derrius Guice, Nick Brossette and Lanard Fournette — Leonard’s younger brother — will help carry the load in 2015.
Despite playing behind Leonard and former Tigers Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard, Williams embraced his role of being a change-of-pace back during his freshman campaign by tallying 302 yards on 64 touches.
Throughout the offseason, Williams and Leonard have embraced leadership roles and stepped up to help the freshmen adjust to the collegiate level.
“Just lead by example,” Leonard said. “I have to do everything right [and] just make sure that they understand even if I take the wrong course, they follow behind me and [Williams]. So we try to make everything as perfect as it can be.”
Although Leonard and Williams bring experience and leadership to the rotation, Guice said the Tigers’ trio of highly touted freshmen will take advantage of every carry they are given.
Guice, a former five-star recruit and No. 2 running back in the nation by the recruiting service Rivals, brings a receiving threat to the Tigers’ backfield.
During his senior year at Catholic High School, Guice added 617 receiving yards and eight touchdowns to his 1,341 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground.
After competing against Guice throughout his high school career at University High School, Brossette will join forces with his former foe in the Tigers’ backfield after a record-breaking high school career.
In 2014, Brossette broke the Louisiana state record for rushing touchdowns during a four-year span with 141, a record previously held by Hilliard.
Lanard posted 141 rushing yards and five touchdowns during his senior year at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans despite dealing with injuries. But in his first year at LSU, Lanard faces a familiar situation: playing behind Leonard. During his junior year when Leonard was the starter, Lanard recorded 460 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns.
The Tigers lost two-year starting fullback Conner Neighbors to graduation and redshirt sophomore John David Moore prepares to take his place.
As a former tight end, Moore brings another receiving threat to the offense, but he said he is looking forward to paving the way for Leonard with punishing blocks this season.
“It’s a great honor [to block for Leonard],” Moore said. “He’s such a dynamic runner. It makes the blocks all worth it.”
In addition to taking up the starting role, Moore will also step into the leadership role as the most experienced fullback on the roster. Although he is playing a different role than he is used to, the Ruston, Louisiana, native said he is excited about leading the young core of fullbacks.
“No longer can I hang in the wings and expect other guys to take responsibility. Now that responsibility is on me, Leonard and [Williams], the older guys in the room,” Moore said. “Stepping up and can’t be quiet when things need to be addressed.”