LSU Tigers true freshman running back Caden Durham on pace to match Leonard Fournette after huge performance

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Travis May | Last updated Sep 29, 2024 2:20 AM ET

The LSU Tigers have been looking for a spark in their running back room for a handful of years now, but it seems like they've finally found it. True freshman running back Caden Druham exploded for an unbelievable game in LSU's win on Saturday against South Alabama as he tallied 217 total yards from scrimmage.

That wild performance from Durham puts him on a wildly productive pace for a true freshman. In fact, since he didn't play an offensive snap in Week 1, and he's up to 374 yards from scrimmage on the season now, he's on pace to match Leonard Fournette's incredible true freshman season from way back in 2014.

Fournette, of course, was one of the most productive true freshman running backs in LSU history (if not all of college football history) as he tallied over 1100 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns. Durham is on pace for that and perhaps even more touchdowns now since he's found the end zone five times in just four games played.

Durham didn't make LSU fans wait for a show on Saturday as he immediately took the Tigers' first play from scrimmage for a 71-yard receiving touchdown on a quick little toss out to the flat. Durham's speed was just far too much for any defensive player on South Alabama.

Then just a few short minutes later on LSU's second offensive play from scrimmage Durham did it again! He broke through on a simple run up the middle for an 86-yard scamper. He was hit just near the goal line and came up a few inches short of the goal line for his second touchdown of the night, but the damage was done. Durham single-handedly ended the game by himself essentially before it even began.

But Durham wasn't done. His long field-flipping plays were finished for the night, but he still impressed on another 8-yard score as he forced a missed tackle in the backfield and bullied his way through to the end zone. Durham was not looking like a freshman at all.

Durham now leads all LSU running backs in rushing yards, receiving yards, and total touchdowns through the first five games of the season. Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson should continue to get some work at running back, but head coach Brian Kelly has to realize that his best weapon on offense is Caden Durham.

Garrett Nussmeier and the wide receivers will continue to thrive, but if the running game becomes even more of a threat with Durham's explosion out of the backfield more opportunities should open up downfield. Hopefully the coaching staff just embraces Durham as the go-to feature back moving forward like he deserves. If they do? He'll likely catch up to Leonard Fournette's wild true freshman numbers, and maybe more.

Be looking for more LSU Tigers coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: