College Football

LSU Football: RB Leonard Fournette will not play in Citrus Bowl

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:06 a.m. ET

Fansided, Crissy Froyd/FanSided via Death Valley Voice

The year is winding down for the LSU Football team, with just one contest left – the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. But the Tigers will be without a major asset this game, as Leonard Fournette announced he will not be playing.

“This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, not playing in the bowl, but it’s best for me and my future,” Fournette stated last Friday. “It was hard telling the guys. I love them dearly. You grow so close together through this. I’ll forever thank them and support them.”

Fournette will be entering the 2017 NFL Draft, and will take this time to focus on that rather than the upcoming game vs. Louisville.

The star running back claimed his reasoning behind not making one last college football appearance was due to an ankle injury he sustained back during fall camp and re-aggravated vs. Texas A&M in November.

More from Death Valley Voice

The injury was reason for him to miss a total of four games during the season, leaving a massive hole in LSU’s run game. Things are much better now though, as Fournette himself says that he estimates his ankle is at roughly 85 or 90 percent at this point.

The issue is nothing serious, as it will not require a surgery. But, it will take some resting and rehab in order for Fournette to be at his maximum potential for this year’s draft.

“I want to rehab and get ready for the NFL and chase my dreams,” Fournette said of his decision.

Want your voice heard? Join the Death Valley Voice team!

It’s no surprise that Fournette is expected to go early on in the draft, as he is easily one of the top college running backs in the country. He has drawn a number of favorable comparisons during his career with the Tigers, including Adrian Peterson and Bo Jackson.

The deadline for underclassmen wishing to apply for early draft eligibility like Fournette did must do so by Jan. 16th.