Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette is drawing comparisons to the greatest Minnesota Vikings running back of all-time, Adrian Peterson.
NFL draft prospect Leonard Fournette has big shoes to fill in the eyes of NFL fans, scouts, and coaches. His style of play is being compared to free-agent running back Adrian Peterson who has carried the Minnesota Vikings for much of the past 10 years.
Recently at LSU’s pro day during an interview with the NFL Network, Fournette was asked by draft expert Mike Mayock if he compares himself to anyone else in the NFL. He replied.
"“I would never compare myself to anybody, I mean that is something that everybody else does. That is not my game. I don’t compare myself to nobody.” Minnesota Vikings The Viking Age 0d - 6 biggest draft steals in Minnesota Vikings history More headlines around FanSided: 1d - Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North 1d - Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take 1d - 6 Vikings who (maybe) won't make the 53-man roster in 2023 2d - Which teams could be drafting a quarterback next year? 2d - Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022 More News at The Viking Age"
Despite the fact that Fournette doesn’t compare himself to other players, he is still drawing a comparison to the likely future first ballot Hall of Fame running back in Adrian Peterson. When asked by Mayock if he would take that as a compliment, Fournette gave us a little insight on his goals as a player.
"“Adrian Peterson is one of the best running backs in the league. Someone who dominates the game as a single player, who wins one-on-ones, who makes guys miss. I wouldn’t mind, but to me, that’s a little too much credit because he’s who I want to be.”"
That answer shows that he is level-headed and the stage is not too big for him. He knows that in order to become Peterson he is going to have to work for it.
Making the NFL is the first step, but becoming a NFL great will take years of perseverance and determination. Knowing that at a young age is a step in the right direction.
But is the comparison to Peterson actually accurate?
Watching Fournette run agility drills shows exactly why he is drawing this comparison. In addition to that, his size and body shape is very similar to Peterson’s size and shape.
Leonard Fournette running agility drills here at Pro Day. pic.twitter.com/iP0oYjSCpG
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) April 5, 2017
Only time will tell if Fournette lives up to the expectation of being a back like Peterson. The most important early factor is to get drafted by a team that is determined to run the ball.
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Maybe they end up on the same team for a season? Crazier things have happened in the NFL.