After taking Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars reunited their new quarterback with his Clemson running back Travis Etienne with the No. 25 overall pick.
One of the most productive running backs in college football, Etienne finishes his four years at Clemson with 4,952 rushing yards and 78 total touchdowns. He dominated at the collegiate level, tallying 7.2 yards per carry with the Tigers.
Etienne is one of the most athletic backs in the 2021 class, possessing top-notch accelerating ability and the breakaway speed to hit the home run when he gets into space. Etienne is also a tough runner who plays with good contact balance, and he offers potential as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Though somewhat surprising given the Jaguars saw James Robinson top 1,000 yards for them this past year, the selection of Etienne gives them an explosive runner with top-notch speed and a player who can be a full-time starter for years to come. His inclusion to Jacksonville’s offense adds another wrinkle to Urban Meyer’s plan.
