College Football: 15 best running backs in 2016

Ever since he was in high school, Leonard Fournette has been regarded as the best. He was the nation’s top recruit during his time at St. Augustine (LA) High School, being dubbed the “next Adrian Peterson.” That is a tall order for any running back, but Fournette may be just that.

Fournette got playing time at LSU right away, starting six games as a freshman in 2014. He was named to the freshman All-SEC team after rushing for over 1,000 yards and ten touchdowns. It was a great year by any means, but it was just the tip of the iceberg.

LSU came into the 2015 season with high expectations, but the team struggled as a whole. However, their star running back did not skip a beat, putting together one of the more memorable seasons in school history. By the time the season came to a close, Fournette had established himself as a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy in 2016.

After rushing for nearly 2,000 yards during the season, while scoring 22 times, Fournette was named a consensus All-American. The SEC honored him by naming him a First-Team running back, and he finished sixth in the Heisman voting.

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Fournette finished off his sophomore season by rushing for 212 yards and five touchdowns in LSU’s Texas Bowl win over Texas Tech.

The Tigers head into the 2016 season as the fifth-ranked team in the nation as per the AP Poll. Fournette is all over the watch lists for Doak Walker, Maxwell, and the Heisman Trophy Awards, and should shine in what is likely his last collegiate season.

He has the size, speed, instincts, and toughness to play in the NFL right now, so his opponents better beware when they play the LSU Tigers this season.