Clemson star running back Travis Etienne announced Friday he will return to school for his senior season.
Etienne was forecasted to be selected in the latter part of the first round or in the second round of the NFL Draft, making his decision is to return to Clemson a bit of a surprise.
Etienne, who turns 21 on Jan. 26, weighed the pros and cons since Monday night’s’s loss to LSU in the College Football Playoff title game.
“Speaking of dreams, I have long dreamed of competing at the highest level and getting the chance to compete in the NFL,” Etienne wrote in a post on his Twitter account. “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.”
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Etienne has rushed for a school-record 4,038 yards and holds Atlantic Coast Conference records for rushing touchdowns (56) and total touchdowns (62).
He was named ACC Offensive Player of the Year and ACC Player of the Year for the second straight season in 2019 when he rushed for 1,614 yards and 19 touchdowns and also caught 37 passes for 432 yards and four scores.
As a sophomore, Etienne set a school single-season record by rushing for 1,658 yards.
With Etienne returning and quarterback Trevor Lawrence entering his junior season, Clemson again should be a national championship contender next season.