Leonard Fournette should probably be the Heisman favorite entering the 2016 season, but he doesn’t see himself as the best running back in the SEC.
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Fournette represented LSU at SEC Media Days on Thursday, and he revealed the player he considers the league’s best tailback: Georgia’s Nick Chubb.
A smiling Fournette says he still believes Nick Chubb is the best running back in the SEC. #LSU
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 14, 2016
That’s quite an endorsement. With Derrick Henry gone from Alabama and Chubb’s status for the upcoming season in question, Fournette is easily the most noteworthy tailback 100 percent ready to play right now. To pick Chubb over himself proves the humility of the junior from New Orleans.
Fournette became a household name during his freshman season. In 2014, Fournette rushed for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. When Fournette’s sophomore season came around, he became the primary contributor for LSU’s offense. He made the most of it.
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The Tigers started 7-0 and were among the nation’s highest-ranked teams early in the 2015 season, with Fournette leading the way. Though Fournette was bottled up by Alabama on Nov. 7 and LSU’s season went downhill from there, he still finished with impressive numbers. Fournette carried the ball 300 times for 1,953 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Chubb had a better rookie season than Fournette, mainly because he was thrust into the starting role with the suspension of Todd Gurley. Chubb ran for 1,547 yards in 2014, and scored 14 times on the ground. Last season, of course ,came to a quick, unfortunate end for Chubb as he tore multiple ligaments in his knee against Tennessee.
Last year’s Heisman race was wide-open early in the season, but Fournette and Chubb emerged as early favorites. They’re obviously two of the best in the game, and both seem to have a great deal of respect for one another.
Fournette arguably has greater star power, and he knows if nothing changes he’ll start the season from the beginning. Chubb doesn’t have that reassurance. It’s nice to see Fournette tip his hat to the beast from Cedartown.
Hopefully, both tailbacks will have big seasons and become Heisman finalists.