Etienne credits “brotherhood” for his success

Etienne has had a superlative season in 2018

by Eric Jackson - Correspondent - Thu Nov 29 14:28:22 GMT-04:00 2018

CLEMSON - Travis Etienne came to Clemson not well-known around the nation, but now he is one of the biggest names in the country.

After his freshman year, it was clear that Etienne had the talent and the ability to be Clemson’s number one running back.

Etienne has been nothing short of spectacular for the Tigers this year, winning the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He credits this success to his coaches and his teammates, especially his fellow running backs.

“Just the brotherhood we have and the camaraderie that coach Elliot teaches. We each come out here every day and try to get better and try to force each other to get better,” Etienne said.

There is no question that if Etienne got more carries that he would be higher up in the Heisman race. Despite the lower number of touches, Etienne has continued to put up insane stats and he credits that to the fact that he shares touches with Tavien Feaster and Adam Choice.

“I feel like I’m at my best when I am sharing touches with those guys, they bring out the best in me and they (help) me keep that mindset to just do my best every play,” Etienne said. “They’re going to make the best out of their opportunities and I am going to make the best out of mine. That’s why we are so good, I feel like.”

As successful as the running back out of Louisiana has been, he is always happy to see the other running backs be successful. Adam Choice in his final home game as a Tiger scored three touchdowns, and no one was happier for him than Etienne.

“It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy,” Etienne said. “For what he’s been through in his time here and to go out there in his last game in the Valley and just out with a bang, that’s just very great.”

The running backs of Clemson have taken significant strides this season and Etienne heads that group. Each running back is reliable and always ready to go. They all want to help the team win a championship and you can see that in the way they play and in the way, they compete with each other.

This Tiger trio will need to continue their consistent play in the postseason if Clemson wants a chance to win it all. Clemson’s next test will be against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the ACC Championship Saturday at 8 p.m. on ABC.