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More babies to kiss, expectations to exceed for LSU RB Fournette (w/ video)

 
LSU running back Leonard Fournette speaks to the media at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media days, Thursday, July 14, 2016, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) ALBA114
LSU running back Leonard Fournette speaks to the media at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media days, Thursday, July 14, 2016, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) ALBA114
Published July 15, 2016

HOOVER, Ala. — LSU running back Leonard Fournette has grown accustomed to surpassing unrealistic expectations.

He entered high school as one of the most highly touted players Louisiana has ever seen; he left as the only two-time Gatorade player of the year in state history.

He entered college as a five-star recruit and the top prospect in the country; all he did was set LSU's freshman rushing record in 2014 and produce the second-most prolific season in SEC history as a sophomore.

Yet somehow, even to Fournette, that seems like a disappointment.

"It was a learning experience," Fournette said Thursday during the final session of SEC media days. "I don't question nothing that happened last season."

Not the torrid start. Not the tepid finish. Not the turmoil that nearly led to the firing of his coach, Les Miles. And not the fact that he wasn't even among the finalists for the Heisman Trophy.

Fournette insists those were all lessons that will help his Tigers contend for a trip to the Jan. 9 national title game at Raymond James Stadium and bring a championship back to his home state.

For that to happen, Fournette will have to find a way to top one of the most memorable years in college football history.

Fournette needed only five games in 2015 to record 1,000 yards — a feat only nine Division I-A players have matched. He rushed for at least 150 yards in each of the first seven games, including 180 in a prime-time, top-10 win over Florida.

Fournette was so powerful that Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett wondered, "Why isn't he going down?" the first time he tried to tackle him.

"At any time, he can go off and have that big play that can swing the game in their favor," said Garrett, a likely top-five pick in next spring's NFL draft. "You've got to keep a hand on him at all times. You can't think that you've got him under wraps."

But Fournette's historic start fizzled when Alabama held him to 31 yards. Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry ran away with that game and, eventually, the Heisman.

"I mean, I wasn't really worried about it," Fournette said of the Heisman, "and this year, I'm not either."

But outsiders are. The sports betting site Bovada considers him the favorite after he broke school records with 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Fournette seemed to meet his offseason challenges. The junior worked on his route running to become a better receiver. When Miles challenged Fournette to drop a few pounds from the 233-235 he hit in the spring, Fournette responded. He eats lots of sushi and salad, and limits himself to only peanuts and yogurt after 7 p.m.

"It's his desire to be an elite back," Miles said.

History suggests it's unlikely that Fournette will be able to beat last year's numbers. Since 1975, 11 players have returned after 1,900-yard seasons. All 11 saw their rushing totals decline the next season, but only three of them failed to rush for at least 1,100 the next season.

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The most flattering SEC comparison for Fournette is Herschel Walker, who ran for 1,891 yards in 1981 as a sophomore. The Georgia legend followed that up by rushing for 1,752 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the Bulldogs to an 11-1 season and the SEC title and winning the Heisman.

A similar performance by Fournette would only add to his fame.

"Anytime I go somewhere, there's pictures, autographs, I have to kiss someone's child," Fournette said. "I don't mind. It comes with the territory."

By now, Fournette is used to it.

Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.