On Wednesday morning, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announced their class of 2027. Nine legends of Louisiana were bestowed with the prestigious honor, forever immortalizing them within the history of the state’s athletics. Five former Tigers are part of the class.
Leonard Fournette (2014-2016)
From the day he stepped on to campus, Fournette was a difference maker at running back. He was an All-SEC Freshman, Doak Walker Award Finalist, two-time All-SEC, Consensus All-American, and became the #4 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017.
In 3 seasons with the Tigers, he rushed for 3,830 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry and had 41 total touchdowns. His sophomore season in 2015 was his best, rushing for 1,953 yards for a whopping 162.8 yards per game with 23 total touchdowns.
Aaron Hill (2001-2003)
Hill had the privilege of spending his first season as a Tiger with Skip Bertman in his last season before he retired. As an infielder, he was a Freshman All-American, member of the US National baseball team, ABCA Second-Team All-American, USA Today Second-Team All-American, Collegiate Baseball Second-Team All-American, Baseball America First-Team All-American, and SEC Player of the Year.
In 3 seasons with the Tigers, Hill had a career batting average of .335 and 150 RBIs. His best year was his final season as a junior in 2003 when he won SEC Player of the Year. He hit .358 with 68 runs scored, 67 RBIs, 27 doubles, 4 triples, and 9 homeruns, while starting all 68 games. Hill was selected #13 overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2003 MLB Draft.
Patrick Peterson (2008-2010)
Coming to LSU from Florida as the USA Today Defensive Player of the Year for his senior year in high school, Peterson immediately translated in to an impact cornerback for LSU. He was a three-year starter and was named a First-Team All-SEC, Second-Team All-SEC, Second-Team All-SEC All-Purpose, SEC Special Teams Player of the Year, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Consensus First-Team All-American, Thorpe Award winner, and Bednarik Award winner.
In his 3 seasons with the Tigers, which included 39 games and 30 starts, he finished with 135 tackles, 22 pass breakups, and 7 interceptions. His best season was his junior year in 2010 when he recorded 42 tackles with 6 PBUs and 4 INTs. He also added 1,350 return yards. He scored 4 touchdowns in his career, including 2 punt returns, an INT return, and a blocked field goal return. Peterson was selected #5 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Ryan Theriot (1999-2001)
Hailing out of Broadmoor High, Theriot arrived in Baton Rouge as an immediate impact infielder, starting 65 of 66 games for LSU. He scored the winning run to help secure Skip Bertman’s final national championship in 2000. He made an Regional All-Tournament Team, College World Series All-Tournament Team, SEC Player of the Week, and Second-Team All-SEC.
In his 3 seasons with the Tigers, he had a career average of .327 with 154 runs scored, 103 RBIs, 43 doubles, 9 triples, and 7 homeruns. His best season was as a junior in 2001 when he hit .353 with 68 runs, 48 RBIs, 18 doubles, 3 triples, and a homerun. He was drafted #78 overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2001 MLB Draft.
Henry Thomas (1983-1986)
As a defensive end and nose tackle for LSU, Thomas made a gigantic impact before the football program first reached the levels that we know today. He became First-Team All-SEC, Third-Team All-American, and was named Sugar Bowl MVP.
In 4 seasons with the Tigers, he totaled 191 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks. Thomas was selected with the #72 overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1987 NFL Draft.
