Leonard Fournette to Declare for 2017 NFL Draft: Latest Comments and Reaction

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette has announced he will enter the 2017 NFL draft.

Fournette said Monday he will declare following LSU's Citrus Bowl matchup with Louisville on Dec. 31:

Fournette entered the 2016 season under intense pressure as the Heisman favorite, single-handedly trying to carry LSU into the national title picture.

The New Orleans native was unable to fulfill those expectations for various reasons, with health one of the biggest obstacles in his way. Fournette missed four games during the regular season due to lingering ankle problems that began in August.

Will Carroll of SEC Country reported Fournette's ankle is a chronic problem that could require surgery in the future, and his draft stock depends in large part on his medical check at the combine:

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NFL scouts have told me Fournette that his medical check at the Combine in February is going to go a long way in determining his draft position. There's no question about the talent, but if Fournette is going to have these same issues, he may look to have it fixed earlier rather than later, giving him plenty of time to heal before training camp.

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There's no doubt Fournette has the talent to be this year's version of Ezekiel Elliott. He did carry a heavy burden in 2015 with 300 carries. For perspective, Adrian Peterson was the NFL's only running back to have more carries (327) than Fournette.

Even in a reduced role this season, Fournette averaged 6.5 yards per carry and ran for more than 100 yards in the first four games he played.

Despite the injury concern, ESPN.com's Todd McShay felt confident enough in Fournette's ability to rank him as the best player available in this year's class.

"There's a lot to like about Fournette's game: He is a big-play machine with a rare combination of size, power, agility and speed for the position," McShay wrote. "His angry running style is something to marvel at and will translate well to the next level."

Fournette is in an interesting spot because of his injuries this season and the position he plays. Running backs tend to get devalued in the draft because finding even a capable starter is among the easiest tasks for a general manager.

However, Elliott's impact in Dallas as the No. 4 overall selection may be exactly what Fournette needs to stay in the mix for the first overall pick when April arrives.

There are a lot of questions to be answered about Fournette before draft day, but his presence in the 2017 NFL draft makes him the most fascinating prospect for teams to evaluate.