Leonard Fournette will play vs Florida after originally being ruled out
By John Buhler
LSU Tigers star running back Leonard Fournette will play through an ankle injury for Saturday’s huge game against the cross-divisional rival Florida Gators.
It was a game-time decision, but LSU Tigers star junior running back Leonard Fournette begged LSU interim head coach Ed Orgeron to let him play in Saturday’s huge game against the cross-divisional rival Florida Gators.
LSU was going to keep Fournette out with an ankle injury he suffered in Week 11’s win over the rival Arkansas Razorbacks. Fournette got his way and will play on Saturday against Florida .
SEC Nation just reported Fournette was not expected to play - but after being shoved during scuffle, he asked O if he could suit up. #LSU
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 19, 2016
The significance of Fournette playing in this game has a lot to do with this potentially being his last home game for LSU. Fournette is almost certainly a top-10 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Many expect him to forego his final year of eligibility with LSU and play on Sundays next fall professionally.
Orgeron is a great player’s coach and could be in line to have the interim tag removed with the LSU head coaching position. LSU has only one more regular season game after this, Thanksgiving night at Kyle Field against the Texas A&M Aggies.
Fournette could have technically sat out his junior season, but decided it was important to him to play his junior season for the Tigers. LSU is almost certainly out of the College Football Playoff picture with a three regular season losses.
Next: Best college quarterback born in every state
However, Fournette’s sheer will to play in this major rivalry game should have LSU fans excited. Should LSU knock off rival Florida on Saturday, it could lead to the Tennessee Volunteers winning the SEC East for the first time since the 2007 college football season. Tennessee has the head-to-head tiebreaker over Florida this year.