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NFL Draft 2017: Top 5 draft prospects from LSU Football

By Jerran Anderson

Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) looks over to the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. LSU won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) looks over to the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. LSU won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

Running back Leonard Fournette took a lot of criticism back on December 31 for sitting out the Citrus Bowl. But Fournette happily handed the starters’ torch to running back Derrius Guice in order to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Fournette ran for 843 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in just seven games for the LSU Tigers last season. He battled an ankle injury all-season long, but still managed to but up reasonable numbers in limited action. He still ran for 120.4 rushing yards and 6.5 rushing yards per game in 2016.

The junior running back ran for 1,953 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in 2015, when he finished fifth in Heisman voting. While his production was noticeably down in 2016, his successor, Derrius Guice ran for 1,387 rushing yards so the Tigers run game was still in good shape without Fournette.

Related Story: NFL Draft 2017: Ranking the top 10 RB prospects

At the NFL Combine, Fournette put up a 4.51 40-yard dash and 28.5″ vertical but his pro day performance looked a lot better. After showing up to the combine at 240 pounds, Fournette weighed in at 228 pounds at pro day. He didn’t run the 40 at pro day but did show teams he was able to drop weight after a questionable combine performance. He’s still projected to be a first round pick.

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