LSU RB Leonard Fournette Is the Clear 2015 Heisman Front-Runner

Leonard Fournette’s most impressive highlight Saturday afternoon won’t even register in the box score.

With LSU backed up inside its 15-yard line late in the third quarter, the Tigers' sophomore tailback took a carry and motored around the left end, then took off down the flank of the Carrier Dome turf. Eighty-seven yards later, he had what looked like a game-breaking touchdown.

Alas, referees called back the amazing run for illegal procedure. No matter. Fournette had plenty of other highlights in No. 8 LSU’s 34-24 win over a determined Syracuse team, finishing with 244 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.

It was his second consecutive 200-yard rushing effort, and it made one thing clear: Fournette is the Heisman Trophy front-runner. This season, he is fulfilling the massive potential that came with his status as the consensus top recruit in the Class of 2014, and LSU is better because of it.

Here you can see him turning a would-be sack of Tiger quarterback Brandon Harris into a 48-yard gain with five minutes and 22 seconds to go in the first quarter vs. the Orange:

He runs with power and speed and is a threat to break a big run on every play. One week after terrorizing Auburn’s defense for 228 rushing yards, Fournette did the same and then some to Syracuse. His 62-yard touchdown run broke open the game late in the third quarter, and had his 87-yard run stood, he would have finished with more than 300 rushing yards for the contest.

He still had the third-best rushing day in LSU history, per Ross Dellenger of the Advocate:

Regardless, Fournette is averaging 210.3 rushing yards per game and an eye-popping 8.64 yards per carry.

“It feels great,” Fournette told ESPN’s Shannon Spake on the air following the game. “I’m a leader on the team, and throughout the season, I’m going to continue leading them.”

His is a talent unlike any in college football. When LSU has the ball, remote controls across the nation should be turning to the Tigers’ drives because you never want to miss what Fournette might do next.

Will he sprint down the sideline? Will he bowl over a linebacker? Will opposing tacklers fly at him and pinball off him like that unfortunate Auburn defensive back did a week ago? Who knows? You have to tune in.

Fournette is extremely valuable to an LSU team that has found its way into national contention, carrying the Tigers offense on his broad shoulders. While Harris is an upgrade from the inconsistent Anthony Jennings at quarterback, Saturday’s effort (157 yards with a touchdown on 8-of-16 passing) was the second-best passing yardage day of his young career.

He can’t be expected to lift the Tiger attack. That’s Fournette’s job.

Mike Groll/Associated Press

Who in America is more important to his team and more exciting to watch? In a 48-6 win over Southern, Georgia tailback Nick Chubb put together his 12th consecutive 100-yard rushing effort Saturday, and he runs with power and effort. He's in the mix, but he doesn't hold the importance to his team or the national attention Fournette does.

And after rushing for 1,034 yards as a freshman, Fournette is on pace to more than double that (2,178 yards) even after storms cancelled the season opener against McNeese State.

If Fournette stays healthy for an LSU team that remains in SEC and College Football Playoff  contention, he is the clear choice for the Heisman Trophy, and it really isn’t even that close at this juncture.

Billy Cannon (1959) is LSU’s only Heisman winner, but school officials should make room for a second come early December.

Note: Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.