Fournette named to Freshman All-American Team

After leading the Southeastern Conference in all-purpose yards, LSU’s record-setting rookie running back Leonard Fournette has been named to the prestigious Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team.

Fournette earned a spot on the 26-player team as an all-purpose player. He’s joined on the squad by five other freshmen from the Southeastern Conference, a list that includes running back Nick Chubb of Georgia, offensive lineman Cam Robinson of Alabama, punter JK Scott of Alabama, defensive lineman Derek Barnett of Tennessee and defensive lineman Myles Garrett of Texas A&M.

Fournette capped his remarkable first year with the Tigers by rushing for an LSU freshman record 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s also accounted for 625 kickoff return yards, including one that went for a school-record tying 100 yards against Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl, as well as 127 receiving yards.

Fournette rushed for 100 yards or more in five games, including a career-best 146 yards and a touchdown in a 23-17 win over Texas A&M to cap the regular-season. He had 143 yards on the ground against Notre Dame, 140 in a win over Florida, 122 against New Mexico State and 113 in a win over Ole Miss.

Fournette led the SEC in all-purpose yards with an average of 137.4 yards a contest. He also finished fourth in the SEC in kickoff returns (26.0) and sixth in rushing yards per game (79.5).

For the year, Fournette earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors three times and was also named to SEC All-Freshman Team.

Fournette becomes the seventh LSU player to earn a spot on the FWAA Freshman All-America Team since the inception of the squad in 2001. Other former Tigers who have earned a spot the FWAA Freshman All-America squad include: offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth in 2002, running back Justin Vincent and defensive back LaRon Landry in 2003, offensive tackle Ciron Black in 2006, defensive back Tyrann Mathieu in 2010, and punter Brad Wing in 2011.