NFL Scouting Report: RB Travis Etienne (Clemson)

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Bio

Pos: RB

Hometown: Jennings, LA

School: Clemson

Class: Senior

DOB: 1/26/1999 (22)

Height: 5’10″ (39%) | Weight: 215 lbs (54%)

Hands: N/A | Arms: 31.13” (56%)

Bench: 18 reps (42%) | 40 Time: 4.41s (87%)

Interesting Facts

Owns several ACC & NCAA career records (RUSH YDS, RUSH TD, Total TDs, etc.)
2x ACC POY (’18, ’19), 2x consensus All-American (’19, ’20), 3x All-ACC
Nearly 50 REC & 600 REC YDS after consecutive 1,600-yd RUSH seasons
Ran a 4.41s 40-YD (87th %tile) with an additional 10 lbs
National Champion (2018), 4x Conference Champion

Physical Tools

Pros

Recently added approximately 10 lbs of muscle (listed at 205)
Top-end breakaway speed — 4.41 40-YD (at 215 lbs)
Quick and explosive — 128″ broad jump (93rd %tile)
Decent length and catch radius — 31.13″ arms (56th)
Great balance and solid strength (18 bench reps)
4-star HS recruit due to athleticism

Cons

Adequate power, but not his calling card
Smaller frame — 39th & 54th %tile in height/weight
Subpar vertical — 33.5″ (33rd)

Grade: A-

Game Film

Pros

One of the shiftiest RBs in CFB the last 4 years
Dynamic ball-carrying skills in the open field
Explosive big-play ability when given the edge
Dangerous receiving threat from the backfield
Good contact balance, can work within tight spaces
Became a go-to receiver as a senior
Decent blocker — willing, but not great

Cons

Not exactly a between-the-tackles workhorse
OL created plenty of space to operate (until 2020)
Looks to bounce outside for the HR too often

Grade: A

Production

Pros

2x ACC POY, 2x consensus All-American, 3x 1st-Team All-ACC
Holder of several ACC career records (RUSH YDS, TDs, etc.)
NCAA career record of 46 games with a TD
National Champion as workhorse RB; 4x ACC Champion
822 YDS after contact (5th, 3.84 per ATT)
Nearly 50 REC & 600 YDS in 2020 (85 REC since 2019)
Forced 43 missed tackles (12th-most)
OL ranked 36th with a 72.1 run-block grade
Top-10 PFF grades in 2018 (90.1 —8th) and 2019 (90.5 — 5th)

Cons

Solid, but not great PFF grading in 2020 — 81.1 rushing, 77.5 zone, 75.5 gap, 100.6 elusive
Hasn’t registered 20+ ATTs in a game since 2018
Failed to reach 1,000 RUSH YDS in 2020

Grade: A

Risk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8BP3k2smvc

Pros

Record-setting production over 4 full seasons
National Champion as the workhorse RB (proven winner)
Outstanding NFL-caliber balance, speed, burst, and agility
Developed into a top-tier receiving back senior year
Incredibly explosive and shifty in the open field
Weighed in 10 lbs heavier than listed in college (215)
Determined to become a 1st-rounder, returned to school

Cons

Consistent volume for 3 full seasons, plenty of tread on his tires (788 touches)
Benefitted from top OL play until 2020 (ranked 36th)
More of a perimeter threat than between the tackles

Grade: A-

Overall

Arguably the most prolific RB in CFB over the last 3 seasons, Travis Etienne finished his Clemson career among the most productive RBs in history. Following back-to-back 1,600-yard campaigns, he returned as a senior and failed to break the 1,000-yard mark, but hauled in nearly 50 passes to set career bests in receiving.

Considerably smaller than Najee Harris, Etienne may not pack the same punch between the tackles but makes up for it with blazing speed and open-field elusiveness. Hitting the hole with great explosion, he always seems to have an extra gear to reach back into and break away on big runs. While not the most powerful runner, he’s shown great balance along with the strength to muscle through a number of arm-tackles.

Incredibly dangerous in space, Etienne also developed into a reliable receiver from the backfield, adding another element to his dynamic skillset. His patience and vision near the LOS could improve, but Travis’ speed, burst, balance, and elusiveness will add lots of firepower to his new offense and can contribute in numerous ways.

Pro Comp: RB Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas Cowboys)

Projected Round: Mid/late 1st Round

Prime Destinations: MIA, JAX, PIT, BUF, TB, NYJ, ATL, ARZ

OVERALL Grade: A-