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Jan 17, 2020

Etienne Announces Return for Senior Season

CLEMSON, S.C. — Running back Travis Etienne announced on Friday his intention to return to Clemson for his senior season in 2020.

Etienne enters 2020 as the ACC’s all-time career leader in rushing touchdowns (56), total touchdowns (62) and points by a non-kicker (372). He earned ACC Player of the Year honors for the second straight season in 2019, becoming the first running back to collect the award in back-to-back years in more than four decades (Mike Voight in 1975-76).

In 2019, Etienne became the first 4,000-yard career rusher in Clemson history. He joined NC State’s Ted Brown, Florida State’s Dalvin Cook, North Carolina’s Amos Lawrence, Maryland’s LaMont Jordan, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, Georgia Tech’s Robert Lavette, Wake Forest’s Chris Barclay and Boston College’s AJ Dillon to become only the ninth 4,000-yard rusher in ACC history.

The full text of Etienne’s announcement is included below.

Clemson Family —

I want to thank you for all of the love and support you’ve shown me over the last three years here at Clemson. All year long, I was asked questions about how special it has been to have my name mentioned with some of the great running backs in Clemson history, ACC history and college football history. And even to this day, looking back on all we’ve been able to accomplish with the help of my coaches and teammates, I still can’t believe what a ride it has been.

God has blessed me so much during my time here with three playoff appearances, three ACC titles, two national championship berths and a national title. But my most memorable moments have been all the work I’ve put in with my brothers on the team and enjoying every minute of the journey. I thank God for leading me here and lighting the steps on my path to where I am today and where my faith in Him will carry me next.

When I arrived at Clemson in 2017, I was just a kid from Jennings, Louisiana with a dream of becoming the best football player and best man I could be. Coach Swinney, Coach Elliott, my family, my teammates and so many others have helped me reach for that dream every single day, and I will always be thankful for their belief in me as a player and as a person.

Speaking of dreams, I have long dreamed of competing at the highest level and getting the 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 for my senior season. 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

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