Lanard Fournette is entering his senior season at LSU, and he may finally have his chance at a role in the backfield. The senior tailback has patiently awaited his turn, and 2019 may finally be that time. With a load of running backs yet again, LSU has bolstered the rushing game with more talent. Fournette is the younger brother of former LSU star Leonard Fournette.
The Time Has Come for LSU’s Lanard Fournette
Though Lanard may not have the power and size that Leonard did, the senior can still pack a punch in the backfield. He looked solid in LSU’s annual L Club Spring Game in April. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire likely becoming the starter, Fournette will battle for the backup role. Despite having to wait four years, the time has finally come for Lanard to show Tiger Nation what he’s made of.
Fournette had his best season yet at LSU in 2018. He had 12 carries for 102 yards and one touchdown, despite not seeing the field very much. Being on the low end of the depth chart has only made Fournette want to become a role player for LSU even more. He could have transferred out, but he stuck with the Tigers even being on the bottom of the rotation. 2019 will be different. Edwards-Helaire and Chris Curry could be the main backs. But the senior knows he can earn a role in this offense.
What The Senior Can Contribute
Fournette can bring power to the running game that LSU has had for decades. The Tigers have usually been a run-heavy offense, and that shouldn’t change. Even with new offensive coordinator Joe Brady, expect the Tigers to yet again rely on the rushing attack to bolster the offense. Fournette can be used in many packages, and the offense should utilize his skills. If he can earn the backup spot, he should get anywhere from 500-1000 rushing yards on the season.
Trying to become his brother is something that Lanard Fournette doesn’t need to do. He needs to adapt his own skills into the offense and use them well. A stout running back like Fournette can carry this Tigers’ rushing game far into the season. Though he’s had to wait his turn, it is finally his time to shine. Wearing the Purple and Gold has proved a good thing for the Fournette brothers. Look at Leonard’s stellar LSU career a few seasons ago. Lanard now has the chance to continue the greatness as a Tiger heading into his final season.
Future After LSU
Only playing one season may not increase his NFL Draft stock for 2020, but it does help make his name known. Take Nick Brossette for example. He had to wait until his senior season to really break out and show his skills. Though he wasn’t drafted, he earned a spot with the New England Patriots. The LSU to NFL pipeline continues and Lanard Fournette hopes to be on that list.
Whatever his future after LSU holds, Lanard Fournette can take away a few things from his college career. The first being that he got to play with his talented brother Leonard on a talented Tigers team. The second takeaway is that Fournette has overcome adversity and has a chance to become one of the faces of the offense this season.
