2015 LSU Football Depth Chart Preview: The Running Backs
By Scotty Nola
With the McNeese St. game just around the corner we finally know most of the starting lineup. We have known who would start at RB since the end of last year, of course. Leonard Fournette is the man, and if he gets off to a fast start will be the leader for the Heisman Trophy.
Live Feed
Ole Hotty Toddy
There is still a lot of production to replace in the backfield even with the best college football player in the country returning. Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard are both gone, taking their over 200 carries and nearly 1,000 yards rushing with them.
Connor Neighbors has moved on as well. He will not play in the NFL this year, having gone on injured reserve early in the Titans training camp with a broken leg. He leaves some pretty big shoes to fill at the Fullback position.
The Returning Starters
Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) carries the ball against the Mississippi Rebels in the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Leonard Fournette only started 6 games as a Freshman but that was enough to break the 1,000 yard mark and set an LSU Freshman running record. He also averaged an outstanding 26 yards per kickoff return. His 1.786 All Purpose Yards and 11 Touchdowns were a great taste of things to come.
The Returning Veterans
Sep 13, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Darrel Williams (34) runs for a touchdown against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks during the first half of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Darrel Williams was the forgotten man in last years crowded LSU backfield.
He played in 12 games and managed to rack up 302 yards on 62 carries and another 63 yards on 6 receptions. Not a bad start for a true freshman, and as Leonard Fournette’s top backup he should build on that solid start in his second season as a Tiger.
More from LSU Tigers
- LSU Football: We’ve been saying it all along, LSU deserves to be No. 1
- LSU Football: Betting guide for the SEC Championship vs. Georgia
- LSU Football: It’s outrageous if LSU isn’t ranked first after beating Georgia
- LSU Football: Who gets in the playoff if LSU beats Georgia?
- LSU Football: A loss to Georgia shouldn’t stop College Football Playoff bid
Starting Fullback John David Moore redshirted last year as a true Freshman, as did backup Fullback Tony Upchurch.
Both are unknown quantities but Les Miles has a great record of developing talent at the Fullback position so they should be pleasant surprises when they finally play under the lights at Tiger Stadium.
Freshmen Who WILL Play
Jan 3, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; West running back Derrius Guice (20), left, and West linebacker Porter Gustin (5) with the game trophy after the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. Guice was the game offensive MVP and Gustin the defensive MVP. West beat East 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Les Miles has never been afraid to play freshmen, and he likes to spread the carries around a deep rotation at Running Back.
This is an ideal recipe for getting young backs on the field quickly, so we can expect to see freshmen contributing right away.
Derrius Guice (rhymes with “ice”) and Nick Brossette are big time talents with a very high NFL ceiling.
They are both tough runners with breakaway speed. You hate to see any carries pulled from Fournette’s Heisman campaign, but this pair of frosh sensations will be exciting to watch.
Two true freshmen will seethe field at Fullback as well. This is a bit of a surprise.
You don’t normally see a 4 man rotation at Fullback, but 4 were listed on the 2015 LSU Football depth chart.
Since the official depth chart is a clear indication of players expected to contribute we should see freshmen Bry’Kiethon Mouton and David Ducre take the field at some point.
Mouton is more of a traditional fullback; while Ducre is more of a hybrid who has open field running skills to go with his size and power.
Next: 2015 LSU Football Depth Chart Preview: The Wide Receivers