Note: The following appears in the Texas A&M gameday football program.
Travis Etienne has been electrifying on the gridiron in over two seasons. Tiger fans can barely contain their excitement every time he touches the football, knowing that in the blink of an eye, Etienne could be standing in the endzone. The junior running back from Jennings, La. has made himself at home in Clemson, even though he is far from home.
Etienne’s journey to Tigertown began as a child first starting to play football in his backyard with his grandmother.
“I was really young. My grandmother used to take me outside and throw me footballs. I started there, catching balls from her.”
Etienne’s recruiting process was an interesting one. Rated as one of the top running back recruits in his class, Etienne had plenty of potential suitors, and he actually originally committed to Texas A&M. Clemson entered his recruiting process in the latter stages, but that did not impact the process for Etienne.
“Clemson entered late, but it didn’t have an effect for me. I was committed to Texas A&M for a year, and then I decommitted, so it was wide open. Clemson was one of the top schools, and they offered me. I came and visited, and Clemson sold itself, so it played out perfectly.”
For Etienne, what really sold Clemson to him was the culture that Head Coach Dabo Swinney has built within the football program.
“When I got here, it was the genuineness of the coaches. It was the spirit they have around here, the culture that Coach Swinney is building, hands-on. It was also the family atmosphere, the way they treated me and my family and the way I see them treating other players being recruited just like me…seeing them make it personal.”
Etienne also cited the beauty of the campus as a contributing factor. A long way from home, Etienne’s favorite part of being a Tiger is life outside of football. The culture of the school and family atmosphere is something he has enjoyed. However, Etienne has had one major culture shock since coming to Clemson…food.
“It’s tough not being able to have etouffee, beans, fried fish and catfish. We have fish here, but it’s different not being able to have it like I’m used to having it at home. Etouffee and gumbo around here…that’s unheard of. Not having them on a first-name basis is different for me.”
With food being a cultural difference, the biggest similarity between home and Clemson is the people.
“People are nice and genuine here,” explained Etienne. “They treat you with the utmost respect. Everyone has a good spirit.”