Travis Etienne absolutely tore up the ACC in his four-year career with the Clemson Tigers, and the Jaguars are hoping he does the same at the NFL level, selecting him with the 25th overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday.
With over 6,000 yards from scrimmage and an all-time ACC record 78 touchdowns, Etienne was as explosive and game-changing as any running back in college football. He’s got everything you want in a big-play running back: blazing speed, good vision and patience, and legitimate hands and YAC prowess as a receiver.
Here’s the rest of the rundown on Etienne.
Measurables: 5’10”/205
School: Clemson
2020 stats: 12 games, 168 carries, 914 yards, 14 TDs, 48 receptions, 588 yards, 2 receiving TDs
Accolades: 2018 Doak Walker Award finalist, two-time ACC Player of the Year (2018 & 2019), 2019 second-team Associated Press All-American, 2020 first-team Associated Press All-American, 2020 first-team All-ACC, 2020 Doak Walker and Paul Hornung Award finalist
Strengths:
- A total package as a dual-threat rusher and receiver.
- Possesses all the elements of total speed that you look for in a running back: acceleration, burst and stamina for long runs.
- Won’t force plays — allows holes to develop and uses athleticism to get the most out of them
- Very strong legs that helps him not only with speed, but also bouncing off tackles and churning for more yardage
- Has the patience and sudden burst needed for effective zone runs
- Multi-faceted as a receiver
- Plenty of big-game experience against top college competition
Weaknesses:
- Slimmer than would be ideal for an inside runner, especially in upper body
- Had some ball security issues that seemed like lapses in focus
- Doesn’t provide much in blocking game
Expert scout analysis:
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
- “Rampaging, loose-hipped runner who wins with force and speed.”
- “...has home-run speed in the open field and runs with fury and pop to finish near the goal line.”
- “...a greatly improved pass-catching option but needs to step up consistently in pass protection.”
Joe Marino, The Draft Network
- “...burst and contact balance make him a big-play back that is capable of taking it the distance from any part of the field.”
- “...is a nightmare matchup for linebackers in coverage.”
- “...tape reveals too many instances where he is tardy to diagnose pressure schemes and lacks the technique needed to consistently execute blocks…”
Tape:
Player comparison: faster Kareem Hunt
Hunt didn't have the 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed that Etienne has — Hunt’s best was a 4.60 at his 2017 Pro Day — but he does possess traits that can be seen in Etienne as well. For one, Hunt excels as a pass-catcher in a multitude of ways, be it a swing pass, a screen, a wheel or an underneath route. Hunt can also run with equal determination and success on the inside and on the outside, with the ability to bounce or spin off initial contact and turn corners with impressive burst for big gains.
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