Les Miles 'can't imagine' Fournette sitting out
There has been growing conversation in recent weeks that LSU running back Leonard Fournette could either sit out the 2016 season or sue the NFL and NFLPA to allow him to go to the NFL. That’s the kind of thing that happens when a true sophomore rushes for 631 yards in three games and has vaulted himself into the position of being the early favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.
Fournette won’t be eligible to go to the NFL until after he’s completed his third year at LSU, but there’s no doubt that he is an NFL-ready player right now. There are some that think he should challenge the NFL’s system and try to leave LSU after this season, or just sit out the year to avoid injury and be ready for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Fournette has posted what appear to be responses to that idea on Twitter this week.
I will never jump ship… I’m drowning with my brothers
— (@_fournette) September 30, 2015
Never get lost in this fame stuff, keep God first and everything else will follow believe that………
— (@_fournette) September 30, 2015
His coach, Les Miles, also spoke out on his running back’s future during his weekly radio show on Wednesday.
“To me, there’s a lot of people out there stirring the pot,” Miles said Wednesday night. “Just, let’s make controversy. Why not? OK? I can’t imagine that Leonard would be sitting anywhere inactive for a fall. I just can’t possibly imagine it.”
Miles went on to say that it’s a lot of people trying to play the “what if” game with Fournette, without knowing his goals.
“I guess what has to happen is the guy who worked as hard as he did and put himself in position to have a great college career, maybe,” continued Miles. “What if he’s got goals to go down as one of the greatest running backs ever? What if he really enjoys his teammates and enjoys being a part of a college atmosphere? What if he’s serious about getting his degree? What if he has a financial position that offsets injury? What if — I mean, what if, my goodness. You could ‘what if’ forever.
“The reality of it is Leonard is a squared-away guy. He’ll do the right thing. I’m for him. And what if somebody else made the decision? That would be the only ‘what if’ that I’d have a real issue with: ‘What if somebody just talked enough to make a mess?’ I don’t know. That’s another ‘what if.'”
We’ve seen others challenge the NFL’s early entry rule in the past, most notably Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett, and it is yet to work out for the player.
Fournette seems plenty happy to be in Baton Rouge and from his Twitter posts and what Les Miles has said, it’s pretty apparent that he won’t be sitting out 2016.
Wink of the CBS Eye to ESPN
Leonard Fournette seems pretty happy at LSU. (USATSI)
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