Leonard Fournette should listen to Marcus Lattimore: “Be selfish”
By Mark Carman
Leonard Fournette is the most talented running back in college football. He should be in the NFL.
Leonard Fournette is the most talented running back in college football. We know this. Fournette averaged 162.8 rushing yards last season, winning the NCAA individual rushing championship. He is big, strong, fast and tackling him is a chore that is better accomplished in a group.
Fournette should be in the NFL. Right now. The last thing he or any other already-top 10 draft pick needs is another year of college football to get better, bigger or stronger. Fournette would in all likelihood be picked in the top five if the draft were held today.
History is a great teacher, and we are doomed to repeat it if we don’t pay attention, some wise person said back in the day. Marcus Lattimore was a junior at South Carolina on his way to a long NFL career with all the money and perks that brings. Instead, he got hurt and never played a down in the NFL.
Lattimore has this to say on Fournette sitting out his junior year to insure his health from The State:
"“I would tell him to be as informed as possible and make, in this case, I’m telling him to be selfish,” Lattimore said. “Make the best decision for you. But him being a team guy, I highly doubt he would sit out a whole season and I wouldn’t either. I’m a team guy. He’s a team guy. It’s probably not going to happen, but I’m telling him as a friend, be selfish and make the decision for you.”"
Powerful words from someone who has been there and knows what the worst case scenario looks like. Fournette should listen.