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Legend [6994]
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The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:17 PM
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There have been some great running backs play at Clemson, and will be more to come. But.....
There will only be ONE Travis Etienne..
National Champion | 4x ACC Champion | ACC POY | ACC all time leader in rushing, TD's scored, and points scored by a RB. A Clemson Legend..
Go Tigers
Message was edited by: WPTigre1®
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Clemson Icon [24867]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:21 PM
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I will go with Spiller.
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Game Changer [1957]
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GOATs are determined by hardware - Brady and Jordan etc
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:37 PM
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Spiller is my favorite Clemson RB but for GOAT conversation criteria, it’s ETN all the way to the bank.
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Clemson Icon [24867]
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Re: GOATs are determined by hardware - Brady and Jordan etc
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:39 PM
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Not for me. For me Spiller is the better player who played on worse teams. I would take Spiller over ETN if they were both 20 and playing on this team now.
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Orange Phenom [14570]
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I'd stick with ETN, especially in this era
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Apr 30, 2025, 1:52 PM
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Quite a bit of Spillers value was as a return man and that part of the game has been drastically altered by new player safety rules and a greater emphasis on finding KO specialists that can put the ball out of the EZ.
I think Etienne was a much better pure RB than Spiller. Very similar speed, Spiller had more wiggle, but Etienne was a much stronger runner, had better vision, and hit the hole like he was shot out of a cannon whereas CJ would dance behind the line alot more.
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Clemson Icon [24867]
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Re: I'd stick with ETN, especially in this era
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Apr 30, 2025, 2:04 PM
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I will go with Spiller as a RB as well if he could never return a kick. I wasn't even thinking about returns.
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Game Changer [1957]
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Re: GOATs are determined by hardware - Brady and Jordan etc
Apr 30, 2025, 2:31 PM
[ in reply to Re: GOATs are determined by hardware - Brady and Jordan etc ] |
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Well I think Manning was a better QB than Brady and LeBron is better than MJ but in this sports world,
Rings > All.
And I definitely respect the Spiller defense but the fact you think he’s a consistent 3 down back is where we will agree to disagree, thus why I stick with ETN.
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Clemson Icon [24867]
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Re: GOATs are determined by hardware - Brady and Jordan etc
Apr 30, 2025, 2:45 PM
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Not really in all situations. Robert Horry has more rings than Michael Jordan. That doesn't mean much. Different teams. Robert Horry has more than Charles Barkley who has zero. It doesn't always mean much.
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Clemson Icon [24867]
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Re: GOATs are determined by hardware - Brady and Jordan etc
Apr 30, 2025, 2:48 PM
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In the NFL CJ Spiller made a Pro Bowl too. ETN hasn't. Another meaningless fact. Just watching them play though, Spiller was better IMHO.
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All-Conference [436]
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Clemson Icon [26229]
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110%er [3787]
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Ring of Honor [21010]
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We will never really know.
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:22 PM
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ETN is definitely top 5, probably 1.... But I wonder what CJ or Terry Allen would've done while playing on the 2015-2020 teams.
Conversely, what if ETN would have played on the under Center triple option teams of the Danny Ford era?
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All-TigerNet [6089]
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Can't predict the future...
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Apr 30, 2025, 3:05 PM
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and that is part of "ALL TIME" 
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Redshirt [94]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:25 PM
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What a great talent and tremendously fun to watch. Looking back at his highlights, he was as clutch as it gets! He deserves a better O-Line than the Jags are giving him!
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All-Pro [717]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:27 PM
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CJ Spiller almost single-handedly won an ACC Championship by himself.
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National Champion [7856]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 4:12 PM
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ETN. Spiller close behind him. ETN had everything you look for in a RB.
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Dynasty Maker [3569]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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May 1, 2025, 6:40 AM
[ in reply to Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time ] |
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Let’s not forget Banks McFadden! The man played every position in the field including punter! And did it with a leather helmet….
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National Champion [7718]
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Re: Etienne Does Have The Most To Show For It ---
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:28 PM
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R. Priester
T. Allen
CJ Spiller
These guys aren't far behind.
I loved T Flagler as well.
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Tiger Spirit [9218]
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Re: Etienne Does Have The Most To Show For It ---
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:45 PM
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Nice list. Some great names there.
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Top TigerNet [29464]
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Re: Etienne Does Have The Most To Show For It ---
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Apr 30, 2025, 1:12 PM
[ in reply to Re: Etienne Does Have The Most To Show For It --- ] |
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Flagler has always been one of my faves.
Give CJ, ETN, Allen, Flagler, Flowers or Priester any OL blocking at all.... lookout.
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TigerNet Elite [69781]
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Based on what criteria?
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:39 PM
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total yards, TD's, yards per carry, etc.?
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110%er [3974]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:44 PM
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I pick Fred Cone - ring of honor - he could do anything, no kidding!!!
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Ultimate Clemson Legend [101032]
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Spiller was also a great weapon as a return specialist. Best pure rb
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:48 PM
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I'd say would be either TA or TE.
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Orange Blooded [2303]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 12:49 PM
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Terry Allen
CJ Spiller
Andre Ellington
James Davis
Raymond Priester
Kevin Mack
Cliff Austin
Chuck McSwain
Travis Zachery
Kenny Flowers
Warren Ratchford (sp )
There are more but these were great off the top of my head
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Ring of Honor [22308]
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ETN, not even close
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Apr 30, 2025, 1:00 PM
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Nothing he couldn't do. Biggest edge over Spiller was between the tackles and sheer power.
Allen and Spiller a toss up for 2nd.
Kenny Flowers until he was hurt was a bull with sprinters speed.
Most underrated, Wayne Gallman
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TigerNet Immortal [172143]
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Agree with Gallman. Shear determination on his part!***
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Apr 30, 2025, 1:04 PM
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Associate AD [1042]
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Re: ETN, not even close
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Apr 30, 2025, 1:18 PM
[ in reply to ETN, not even close ] |
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Striperfan, you are a mind reader, spot on
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Athletic Dir [1119]
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The blocks Gallman made against Bama in the natty were epic...he and DW were
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Apr 30, 2025, 11:11 PM
[ in reply to ETN, not even close ] |
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hammered all game. As talented and dominant as the 2018 team was, the toughness on the 2016 team was unmatched. Go Tigers!
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All-Conference [421]
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Re: ETN, not even close
May 1, 2025, 12:19 PM
[ in reply to ETN, not even close ] |
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Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Gallman still have the most rushing yards in Clemson History for a Jr (ie: Fr, So, & Jr seasons only)?
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TigerNet Champion [120939]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 1:17 PM
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No brainer, ETN is far and away the best back we have had at Clemson, and that is some high praise. Had he played for 4 years, he would have beaten most of our records. I believe he owns YPC and a few ACC records.
Spiller was great, but he was not a between-the-tackles banger. ETN had the best of both worlds, amazing balance, and enough speed to take the top off a defense.
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TigerNet Champion [120939]
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I also have to mention Travis Zachory
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Apr 30, 2025, 1:25 PM
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. Best RB, not even close, but in the top 20.
It was when he arrived that made the difference. The guy was automatic on the goal line, I mean he could punch it in with the best of them, dragging guys with him. He also had a terrible O-line yet he fought as hard as any back to get a few extra feet.
He was nto the best, but certainly one of the most impactful. I am too lazy to look it up, but I think he has a single-season TD record at Clemson, or did at one time; he just could not be denied on the goal line. '99 and 2000 would have gone a lot differently without him, he was a big part of Clemson's resurgence under Bowden.
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All-In [10797]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 2:01 PM
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I agree because the numbers support ETN, but just as the question of who is the greatest golfer cannot be answered because the game has changed so much over the decades, so has football changed.
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Orange Blooded [2303]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 2:28 PM
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I think Spiller overall.
ETN was awesome and to be admired for his determination to improve.
If you recall he wasn't great " out of the box " so to say. He also had great top end speed.
Spiller on the other hand was electric from the get go.
His ability to shake and bake can not be equaled by any other RB we've had.
They often said he could make a man miss in a phone booth. And never was this more apparent than one particular run he had down the sideline against GT.
I had to rewind that play several times to grasp what I had just seen. The best run in Clemson history. Thats how it will be remembered .
And on kickoffs, everybody stood in the stands when Spiller or Ford were back to receive the ball because we knew something great was about to happen.
It didn't happen every time of course but to date no one else has replicated that feeling. He was electric.
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Ring of Honor [22308]
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He was the best back by far as a freshman
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Apr 30, 2025, 2:40 PM
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Took only a handful of games to start. Had more yards than CJ as a freshman I believe. Broke out at Louisville and never looked back
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Orange Blooded [2303]
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Orange Blooded [2303]
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Orange Blooded [2303]
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Paw Master [16615]
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Spiller for me, but not going to argue against ETN.
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Apr 30, 2025, 3:09 PM
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Honestly we have had some really great ones.
For me it’s Spiller. I don’t think I have ever seen a RB that could take over a game like he could, or could move the way he did. Truly a joy to watch.
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Orange Blooded [2303]
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TigerNet Elite [69822]
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While I loved watching Spiller, I think ETN was the best.
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Apr 30, 2025, 3:18 PM
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I credit Spiller for his absolute love for Clemson. And, along with James Davis, Spiller definitely changed the direction of the Clemson football program. Tajh Boyd also helped out that cause.
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Orange Blooded [2303]
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Re: While I loved watching Spiller, I think ETN was the best.
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Apr 30, 2025, 3:44 PM
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Before Tajh Boyd Clemson was not a factor on the
recruiting trail. His signing changed that.
Never was that more clear when Tommy Bowden
got Spiller. I didn't think we had a snowballs
chance in Hades of landing him.
Everybody had him going to one of the Florida schools.
If I recall correctly he even upset his mama picking us.
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National Champion [7992]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 4:40 PM
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All you young boys have forgotten about Fred Cone from Pineapple, Alabama. He was All American at Clemson and had a outstanding pro career in Green Bay. BTW he had never played a down of football until Coach Howard brought him to Clemson.
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Ring of Honor [23548]
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If somebody has a gun to your head to make 3rd & 4 ... Terry Allen.
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Apr 30, 2025, 5:15 PM
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Paw Warrior [5049]
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Spiller was in a class by himself. Travis was very good, but not Spiller.
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Apr 30, 2025, 10:50 PM
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Spiller did things no other back could do.
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Offensive Star [334]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 10:51 PM
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Id say the fridge is the best RB in Clemson history that just my opinion though..
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Paw Master [17580]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 11:15 PM
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Spiller. Not even close. Take JD out of the mix and Spiller routinely breaks 2k yards.
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Hall of Famer [8928]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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Apr 30, 2025, 11:25 PM
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Smiley Sanders
Ken Callicutt
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Dynasty Maker [3440]
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I like some Etienne
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Apr 30, 2025, 11:36 PM
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My other two choices would be a healthy Kenny Flowers or Terry Allen. Allen was a tough as they come.
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Paw Warrior [4715]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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May 1, 2025, 6:29 AM
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Etienne is the best ever IMO
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Oculus Spirit [39330]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
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May 1, 2025, 8:13 AM
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I agree with this , don't see how anyone could make an argument when looking at stats and accolades.
Two RBs that I think were wholly undervalued or overshadowed were Travis Zachary and James Davis. Those two were greatrunning backs at Clemson who never get much talk when others mention Allen , Preister , Spiller and Etienne.
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Oculus Spirit [39330]
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Re: The greatest Clemson RB of all time
May 1, 2025, 8:14 AM
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I agree with this , don't see how anyone could make an argument when looking at stats and accolades.
Two RBs that I think were wholly undervalued or overshadowed were Travis Zachary and James Davis. Those two were greatrunning backs at Clemson who never get much talk when others mention Allen , Preister , Spiller and Etienne.
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110%er [3721]
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He practically beat the Bucknuts by himself, of course
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May 1, 2025, 8:18 AM
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he had some help, but his runs/catches were the dagger for them. They couldn't stop him.
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TigerNet Immortal [176408]
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After Terry Allen, correct.***
May 1, 2025, 12:46 PM
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Replies: 53
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