Not all college players are eager to become pros. Clemson Tigers’ star running back Travis Etienne announced on Friday that he won’t enter the 2020 NFL Draft, opting to return to college for his senior year instead.
This news came as a surprise since Etienne was expected to declare for the draft as he is considered one of the premier RBs in the class. He was projected to be the fourth-best back in the draft, with most analysts seeing him as a second-round pick.
“I have long dreamed of competing at the highest level and getting a chance to compete in the NFL. But I’m not done dreaming here at Clemson either, which is why I’m announcing that I’ll be returning to for my senior season,” said Etienne in a statement announcing his return to Clemson. “I look forward to earning my degree from this great university and continuing to fight with my brothers on the team to make you proud during the 2020 season.”
Travis Etienne staying one more year is definitely welcomed gift for the Tigers, who will now have one of their most impactful players helping them make another run for a national championship in 2020.
Etienne helped Clemson win the title in 2018 with a monster season, and had another big year in 2019. The 20-year-old finished the season with more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage, and he has 1,614 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns alongside 37 catches for 432 receiving yards and four TDs.
