Leonard Fournette New No. 1 Recruit as 247Sports Reveals Updated Class of 2014
Running back Leonard Fournette, who hails from Saint Augustine High School in New Orleans, La., has been named 247Sports' new No. 1 football recruit in the nation for the Class of 2014.
JC Shurburtt reported the news for the outlet on Monday, citing its composite rankings as the source while noting that fellow 5-star prospect Jabril Peppers came in at No. 2.
While Peppers, who garners the athlete label, has committed to Michigan, Fournette has yet to decide on where he will play at the collegiate level. Plenty of interest has engulfed him already—and for good reason.
According to 247Sports' "Crystal Ball"—a forecast of where a recruit is likely to attend—SEC titans LSU and Alabama seem to be the two programs atop Fournette's list. However, the overwhelming belief (96 percent of the poll) suggests that the Tigers will land him.
Fournette is touted as the most sought-after running back since current Minnesota Vikings superstar Adrian Peterson, per Shurburtt's article.
Based on the 18-year-old's physical measurements of 6'1" and 226 pounds and 4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash, it makes sense that Fournette would be showered with such gaudy praise.
As noted on his 247Sports profile, he ran for 2,136 yards on just 196 carries (10.9 yards-per-carry average) as a junior and accounted for 34 total touchdowns.
Running with authority is no problem for a player of Fournette's stature, but it's clear he has some explosive ability and can run away from an opposing defense to score from anywhere on the field.
Everything points to Fournette being a can't-miss running back prospect who should thrive the moment he steps onto the college gridiron. It's scary to think that he could become even bigger, faster and stronger, too.
