Leonard Fournette won't play in LSU bowl game, ending his college career

Published Dec. 16, 2016 2:01 p.m. ET

Aaron Torres

LSU junior running back Leonard Fournette announced on Friday he won't play in the team's bowl game. After already announcing he would enter the NFL Draft, it means that his LSU career has come to an end.

For Fournette, the same ankle that has bothered him all season will keep him out of the matchup against Louisville in the Citrus Bowl. According to Fournette, the injury -- which forced him to miss five games this season -- is still less than 100 percent.

https://twitter.com/RossDellenger/status/809826627484061696

With the decision, Fournette will turns his focus to the NFL Draft, where he is projected by some as a Top 10 pick. It will also bring a close to the career of one of the most dynamic players in recent college football history.

Fournette was an uber-recruit out of New Orleans who had a breakout season last year, when he rushed for 1,953 yards, in 12 games total (LSU's season opener was canceled). That included 10 games with at least 100 yards on the ground, and four with more than 200 yards.

There would be no repeat of that success in 2016, as he's been limited by the ankle injury all season. It forced him to miss four of LSU's first six games, as well as the Tigers' finale against Texas A&M. But when he was on the field, he remained dynamic, setting a school record (which was later broken by Derrius Guice) with 284 yards against Ole Miss.