Opinions vary on Clemson RB Travis Etienne

Thus far in the process, Clemson running back Travis Etienne has widely been considered among the top three backs in 2020 NFL draft.

That might not be the case once the draft is over, warns CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards.

“Most assumed that Georgia’s D’Andre Swift, Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor and Clemson’s Travis Etienne were in a class of their own, but that has never been the case,” Edwards writes. “Etienne looks a bit more stiff and runs a little higher than his peers. He does not have that one elite trait that separates him.”

Edwards, though, gives Etienne credit for his improved pass-catching, calling the junior a Day 2 pick.

Meanwhile, Eric Edholm, draft analyst for Yahoo Sports, says its “stunning how little national buzz there has been for Etienne, who has been on fire the past six games.”

“Etienne is a tackle-breaking machine who finds ways to generate yards one way or another,” Edholm writes. “This is a surprisingly powerful man who will blast through arm-tackle attempts on a weekly basis. That’s a valuable trait on the next level because few backs can survive by simply trying to outrun defenders.”

The speedy Etienne (5-foot-10, 210 pounds) has rushed for 1,335 yards and 14 touchdowns in 11 games this season along with 25 receptions for 252 yards. His 25 receptions are eight more than his combined total over the previous two seasons.

Edholm says it’s possible Etienne, the No. 38-ranked prospect by Fanspeak, will wind up as his No. 1 running back.