Leonard Fournette Announces He Intends To Enter NFL Draft

The LSU Athletic department knew it was coming and LSU football fans were holding out hope for one more year but yesterday the news came down most feared.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette announced that he will for go his senior season and enter the 2017 NFL Draft.  The junior running back from New Orleans Louisiana announced it yesterday in a letter to the University and to his fans.

LSUSports.net posted Fournette's letter and it reads as follows:

I sit and reflect, as I pen this letter, on my journey as a Tiger. I think about how you all supported me - even before I made the official announcement that I would attend LSU - and I am forever grateful for your continued support throughout both my high school and college careers. You all have watched me grow from a teenager to a young man and were even there for the birth of my daughter Lyric.

When I decided to attend LSU and major in human resources, I also had hopes of winning a National Championship. Things did not go as I planned, but when I consider the passion and commitment of the LSU fans, coaches and my teammates, I am still very grateful for my experience here.

This has been a very trying season, but I have continued to fight to play to the best of my ability. Each day I study and work and rehab with my coaches, trainers and teammates so that I can return to the field for the bowl game, and help our team bring another victory home.

I am thankful that you all have been there through the good, bad, ups and downs. I am thankful for my coaches who have helped me grow into my full potential. I am thankful for my teammates who have been on the field with me through victories and defeats. I am thankful for Coach O stepping in this season, and I wish him well as he officially takes over as Head Coach of the LSU Football team. I am thankful for the entire football staff and support group. I am thankful, so it is bittersweet that I must also say goodbye.

I will be declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft after our bowl game. I make this announcement now so that there will not be speculation and distractions while we prepare. I want everyone to know that I will forever treasure my experience as a Tiger. I will take with me the many valuable lessons that I have learned here, and the love that you have shown me throughout the years. I will forever be an LSU Tiger. Thank you.

Fournette has been battling a ankle injury all season.  It is unknown if he will play in the Citrus Bowl on New Years Eve when the Tigers face Louisville in Orlando.  If he does, that will be his last game in the purple and gold uniform.