RB Leonard Fournette serving as LSU’s kickoff returner
Who’s Involved: Leonard Fournette, Trey Quinn, Travin Dural, Tre’Davious White, Donte Jackson, Jamal Adams, Trey Quinn, Derrius Guice, DJ Chark.
The Scoop: Leonard Fournette returning kickoffs has been a hot topic, especially among the fan base. Is he good enough? Isn’t that risking injury to LSU’s star player?
Fournette finished last season season averaging 26 yards a kick return. That ranked 18th nationally. Better than you thought, right? Fournette also returned a kick 100 yards for a touchdown in the loss to Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl.
Similar to his play in the backfield, Fournette eased into the kickoff return duties, hitting his stride late in the year. According to coach Les Miles’ comments last week, the sophomore will at least get a crack at returning kicks for LSU.
“He’ll certainly will get that opportunity. He sure was good last year,” Miles said.
Fournette expressed at SEC media days two weeks ago that he’d like to return kicks but that the decision is up to the coaches.
What Will We Watch Happen: Probably nothing. The window in which media are allowed to watch practice normally does not include special teams. We’ll have to question players and Miles during fall camp for information on kick returners.
Don’t count out those other guys listed above – especially a speedy rookies like Donte Jackson and Derrius Guice – but Fournette, it appears, is the man to beat for the job. LSU wants to get him as many touches as possible. Both Miles and OC Cam Cameron have said “15-20″ touches per game is the target – and probably the bare minimum.
Via – Ross Dellenger, The Advocate