Clemson RB Travis Etienne declares for 2021 NFL Draft

According to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, the one-time national champion ball-carrier leaves Clemson holding career Atlantic Coast Conference records for rushing yards, rushing scores, and total touchdowns. Etienne finished his four college seasons with 4,952 rushing yards, 102 receptions, 1,155 receiving yards, and 78 career touchdowns, and he earned ACC Player of the Year honors for 2018 and 2019. 

Back on Dec. 17, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. listed Etienne as the No. 2 running back in the upcoming draft class behind only Najee Harris of the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, Charlie Campbell of Walter Football ranked Etienne ahead of Harris back on Jan. 2. 

"Etienne has run really well this season, showing improved strength and more ability to pick up yards after contact," Campbell noted at that time. "He has also been a dangerous receiving weapon out of the backfield. As a senior, Etienne has shown improved physicality and receiving ability. However, he still is having issues with ball security and fumbling. Etienne could be a three-down starter in NFL and inject speed and explosiveness into his team's ground game. He also would be a good weapon as a check-down receiver who can turn a short catch into a chunk gain."

Per ESPN stats, Etienne did put the ball on the ground once in four consecutive games during the 2020 campaign and lost three of those fumbles.