Rookie RB Leonard Fournette Has Best Debut In Jaguars History

The Jacksonville Jaguars headed into their season opener against the Houston Texans with high hopes for an impressive debut from rookie running back Leonard Fournette. The 22-year-old did not disappoint.

According to Michael DiRoccio of ESPN, Fournette had the best debut of any running back in the franchise’s history.

Leonard Fournette had the best debut by a Jacksonville Jaguars running back in franchise history. That’s saying a lot considering Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew were among the NFL’s top backs during their playing careers with the Jaguars.

The LSU product, along with Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers, is one of the most intriguing rookies in the NFL this season. Both players were dominant on the college level with many wondering whether their talent would transcend on the next level. So far, Fournette is living up to the hype in Jacksonville with a solid performance against the Texans, via DiRoccoio.

Fournette ran for 100 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in the Jaguars’ 29-7 victory over the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, making him the first Jaguars running back to surpass 100 yards in their first NFL game. In fact, Fournette is just the fourth Jaguars rookie running back to rush for 100 or more yards in a game.

Whether McCaffrey can have a similar debut for the Panthers remains to be seen. Fournette, however, has Jaguars fans happy after their Week 1 matchup and could easily be in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year if he can continue this level of production on a weekly basis.