Bud Elliott at 247 Sports has come out with who he thinks are the ten most dynamic players in college football for the 2020 season. Three ACC players make the list, with Clemson running back Travis Etienne coming in at number one.
North Carolina wide receiver Dyami Brown came in at number ten, while Florida State receiver Tamorrion Terry comes in at number eight.
Etienne surprised many back in January when he decided to put off heading to the NFL for another season and come back to Clemson for his senior season. Getting his degree was a big part of that decision. He also wasn’t happy with the grade he got back from the College Advisory Committee, which was a late first, early second round grade.
“I just felt like I could come back and improve that grade,” Etienne said. “I don’t have my degree. Coming back and going second round (in 2021), at least I’d have my degree. Leaving for the second round has never been a dream of mine. I feel like I can do so much better than that. The NFL is going to be there so I wasn’t leaving with no second-round draft grade.”
Etienne is already Clemson’s all-time career rushing leader with 4,038 yards, and has been named the ACC Player of the Year for the past two seasons. He was the first running back to win the award in back-to-back seasons since the mid seventies.
He holds the school and ACC record for most rushing touchdowns in a career with 56, and most total touchdowns with 60. He is the first Tiger to rush for 1500 yards or more in multiple seasons, and is one of only 16 P5 players since 2000 to reach the 1,500-yard mark in multiple seasons.
By coming back, he gives himself a shot at becoming one of the best backs in the history of the sport. That is exactly what he has his sights set on.
“Just trying to leave a legacy,” Etienne said. “I’m trying to be remembered forever. Coming back gives me that chance to be one of the all-time greats here and in college football.”
