HOOVER, Ala. -- It's a good thing LSU incoming freshman Leonard Fournette has been, by all accounts, humble since joining the Tigers earlier this summer. If he had any sort of ego, a comparison to Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson probably wouldn't be good for the size of his head.
LSU running back Terrence Magee said Fournette, the No. 1 running back recruit in the nation, reminds him of the Minnesota Vikings star. And Magee is the one who will have to compete with Fournette for playing time when fall camp opens in August.
"I'm sitting on my toes right now, on the edge of my seat, and every time I see Adrian Peterson run the ball, I'm the exact same way," Magee said Wednesday at SEC Media Days. "And from the first time I've seen (Fournette) run the ball, to the things he's doing now in 7-on-7 and the drills that we do, I just can't wait to see him put a set of pads on and go against our defense. He's very exciting to watch play."
Given that neither Magee nor veteran running back Kenny Hilliard commanded a starting role previously, Fournette is widely expected to be the Tigers' top rusher as a true freshman this fall. At 6-foot-1, 225 pounds and with a highlight reel that left major college programs drooling over his recruitment, it's no wonder.
Witness:
LSU head coach Les Miles, like Magee, said Fournette has shown an early willingness to learn and a humility not common in a recruit so highly decorated.
"Leonard Fournette is doing exactly what he should be doing. He's getting in the weight room, running, getting in great shape," Miles said. "Pursuing the classroom, got great grades. He's quiet. He's not assuming. He's humble in his approach. I think it's exactly where he needs to be. He expects himself to be something very special."
Magee even called it "an honor" to share an offensive backfield with Fournette. It's not exactly the sort of treatment most freshmen get from seniors, but then again, Fournette doesn't appear to be anything like a normal freshman. Offensive tackle La'el Collins said Fournette looks as though he has already been in a college program for several years.
"He's going to be so good," Collins said.
Fournette will look to replace Jeremy Hill, who was a second-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in May. LSU also lost reserve running back Alfred Blue, a sixth-round pick of the Houston Texans, to early NFL draft entry.
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