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NFL Draft Stock Report: Pumphery the Forgotten Man in Heisman Race

By George Stockburger

Oct 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) runs for a second quarter touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) runs for a second quarter touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (54) during the third quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (54) during the third quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Down: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

For the second straight season Leonard Fournette was stifled by Alabama’s defense. Coming off a game where he had over 300 yards of offense against Ole Miss, Fournette was held to a season-low 35 yards. Last season, he managed only 31 yards against the Crimson Tide.

Alabama’s defense will be the closest thing Fournette will see to an NFL defense while he is at LSU. Seeing his lack of production once again in a shutout loss at home will worry NFL teams.

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In all fairness to Fournette, Alabama has done this to many prospective running back prospects. Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd picked up only 28 yards and averaged 2.2 yards per carry earlier this season. Clemson’s Wayne Gallman was held to 45 yards in the National Championship game last year.

The only exception has been Nick Chubb, who ran for 146 yards on 20 carries last year for Georgia.

We have never seen a team in college football like Alabama. However, it should still concern us that the “best” running back in the country has just 66 yards in two games against them. Unfortunately, we most likely won’t see Dalvin Cook, Saquon Barkley, or Christian McCaffery face off against Nick Saban.

What we have seen is Fournette being stuffed for a second straight year, whether it’s Jonathan Allen, Reggie Ragland, A’Shawn Robinson, or Tim Williams. Fournette’s lack of production should scare a team willing to spend a first round pick on a running back.

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