Fansided

5 reasons Leonard Fournette can win the 2016 Heisman

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) scores a touchdown after braking a tackle by Syracuse Orange cornerback Wayne Morgan (2) during the first quarter in a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) scores a touchdown after braking a tackle by Syracuse Orange cornerback Wayne Morgan (2) during the first quarter in a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Potential to break multiple records

Let’s just take a look at the list of records, both NCAA and school, that Leonard Fournette has a decent chance of breaking this season.

First, he could surpass Barry Sanders as the single-season record holder for rushing yards. He recorded 2,628 in 1988 with Oklahoma State and Fournette put up 1,953 just last season with 300 carries. Imagine if he rushes the ball 50-100 more times and keeps his yards per carry pace — it’ll be extremely close.

Next, it’s possible, although not highly likely, that he could break Sanders’ single-season rushing touchdown mark of 37 as well. Fournette had 22 in 2015, so adding 15 more might be a little unlikely, but he will be the focal point of LSU’s offense.

Onto the school records he almost surely will break. He’s already broken LSU’s single-season rushing yards and touchdowns records, and he will likely break his own marks. However, he needs just 1,571 yards to break the all-time LSU rushing yards mark held by Kevin Faulk — and he’d do so in just three seasons to Faulk’s four.

Fournette is also 14 rushing scores away from tying Faulk’s LSU record of 46 for a career, and, again, he’d need just one less season to break the record.

Heisman winners usually rank high on all-time school lists, but Fournette has the potential to completely smash previous highs.

Next: 1. Excitement factor

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