LSU running back Nick Brossette has finally earned the starting role for the Tigers in the backfield. After patiently waiting behind Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice for three seasons, Brossette has shown his coaching staff what he’s truly made of. Four games into the season, the senior has shown flashes of greatness that the team has been hiding him from. Despite his mistakes last season, he has overcome adversity and is now leading the charge as LSU’s main rusher.
Nick Brossette is Everything LSU Fans Hoped For
As he waited in the shadows of two elite running backs, Brossette was perfecting his craft in practice, and in the limited time he saw carries in game action in 2016 and 2017. However, 2018 has become his breakout season. Now the starter, the senior has something to prove to all of Tiger Nation, and that is the fact that the running game is still strong, and he can lead the way.
Coming into 2018, Brossette was the projected starter among many media outlets around the country. His elusive running style gives him an edge over Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who has worked his way into the RB2 spot. The duo has been dubbed “Thunder and Lightning.” Brossette has given LSU what it needs in the backfield to keep drives alive on the offensive side of the ball. When quarterback Joe Burrow struggles, Brossette and Edwards-Helaire are there to keep the drive going and find a way to score.
Brossette’s first flash of greatness came in the opening game against Miami. His long touchdown run broke the lead open for LSU in the first half. He played a solid role in the Tigers’ season-opening win over the #8 Hurricanes.
Earning His Yards
His ability to get insurance yards on second and third downs have become the norm for Brossette this season. Though he doesn’t have an enormous amount of rushing touchdowns, his ability to keep rushing the ball and picking up three or four yards every other play instills a great rushing attack for LSU.
In the first SEC game of the season, Brossette was able to get insurance yards against Auburn that proved to help the offense drive down the field. Going against a stifling Auburn defense, he found open lanes and made sure he got every yard he could. Moving forward however, things could become difficult for Brossette and the LSU rushing attack. Games against Georgia, Alabama, and Florida could be difficult for the rushing attack to get going. But Brossette and the other tailbacks know what it takes to get the job done.
His senior season will be his best season. Given that he hadn’t seen the field as much as hoped, Brossette has been a force to reckon with for opposing defenses in the first four games. If he can keep the momentum going, his numbers could rapidly increase and so could his draft stock.
Ed Orgeron and staff have to be proud of the endless work the senior has put in. Giving it his all and then some to earn a starting position, Nick Brossette’s story is remarkable. Coming out of high school as a touted running back, he just had to wait his turn. Well, his chance is finally here and he is proving to be everything LSU fans had hoped for.
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