Leonard Fournette

Leonard Fournette's Biography

Born in the 7th Ward of New Orleans on January 18, 1995, Leonard Joseph Fournette III was brought up in his parents Leonard Jr. and Lory’s devout Catholic household. The environment he was raised in, while considered challenging due to violence and gang activity — which intensified following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 — built his resilience and perseverance. These traits would become a backbone in his football career.

Unscathed by his turbulent upbringing, Fournette excelled both athletically and academically at St. Augustine High School. His performance on the football field was extraordinary, earning him the 2013 USA Today High School Football Offensive Player of the Year award. As a top-ranked recruit by ESPN, 247Sports.com, and CBS Sports in the 2014 senior class, he wrapped up his high school football glories as a starter since his freshman year, compiling 7,619 rushing yards and 88 rushing touchdowns throughout his career.

The tremendous promise Fournette exhibited in high school paved the way for his prosperous career at Louisiana State University (LSU). His sophomore season in 2015 saw him setting school single-season records with 1,953 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns, besides leading the country with 162.8 rushing yards per game. These achievements earned him unanimous consensus All-America selection and recognition as the best player in college football by numerous sports pundits.

In 2017, Fournette’s professional career ignited when he was selected as the fourth pick in the NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. His rookie season was a success, amassing over 1,000 rushing yards. However, subsequent seasons were fraught with injuries and suspensions, putting a damper on his relationship with the Jaguars.

After three seasons, the Jaguars released Fournette, providing an opportunity for a fresh start with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—a move that saw him contributing significantly to the team’s Super Bowl LV victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Although injury sidelined him from the final three games of the regular 2021 season, his first-string position was solidified thanks to his stellar performance throughout the season.

Fournette’s accomplishments in his football career are inexorably linked to his upbringing. He credits the life-altering events, such as Hurricane Katrina, for kick-starting his football career, forcing the family to move to Houston temporarily which gave him exposure to new football environments. His mother’s firm Catholic faith also played a pivotal role in enhancing his quickly maturing sense of perseverance in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Fournette’s athletic prowess did not confine itself to football. He also competed in track and field events during his time back at St. Augustine High School. Fournette achieved impressive records in the 200 meters regional mark and the 100 meters sprint, displaying his versatility as a sportsman.

On top of his flourishing football career, Fournette continued to perform on the track and in relay races. He achieved 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns during his freshman season, becoming the first-ever freshman to earn a scholarship offer from Louisiana State. His sophomore year culminated with 1,900 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns, while as a junior, he clocked 2,135 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns.

As Fournette progressed through high school, his reputation only grew. His senior year totaling 1,792 yards and 16 touchdowns, in addition to 45 receptions for 745 yards and six scores. He was then named Louisiana’s 2013 Mr. Football and selected an All-American by Parade and USA Today, adding yet another feather to his cap.

Following his high school career, Fournette’s talent did not go unnoticed among university recruiters. ESPN and Scout.com both ranked him as the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2014, building up considerable hype and expectations. After much anticipation, Fournette announced his decision to join Louisiana State University (LSU) at the 2014 Under Armour All-America Game.

Fournette’s college career was marked by numerous dynamics, but it was ultimately his performance that made the most noise. He continued to smash records, set new ones, and generally outrun most of his competition, scoring impressive wins for LSU. His remarkable performance saw him setting school records with 1,953 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns during his sophomore season.

To wrap up his college career, Fournette announced in December 2016 his intention to enter the 2017 NFL draft. Fournette was touted as a top ten pick coming out of college. NFLDraftScout.com ranked him as the top overall running back prospect, creating a buzz among the NFL teams.

The Jacksonville Jaguars seized the opportunity and selected Fournette fourth overall in the 2017 NFL draft. His incredible stamina and dexterity combined with his compact playing style quickly made him a key asset to the team. Although his time with the Jaguars was checkered with injuries and suspensions, these setbacks did not deter Fournette’s tenacity and undying intent to deliver his best, culminating in a remarkable rookie season that yielded over 1,000 rushing yards.

Fournette’s journey with the NFL took a new turn when he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after parting ways with the Jaguars in the fall of 2020. With determination and his unwavering spirit, Fournette aided in picking off the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LV, marking a pinnacle in his professional football career. Despite an injury that constrained his participation in the final three games of the regular 2021 season, Fournette’s past performance secured him a primary starter position. And due to his unwavering talent and perseverance, Fournette continues to be a highly-respected name in the world of professional football.