Georgia football often refers to itself, which is why “RBU” has been low in recent years.
At least when it comes to the NFL Draft.
For the first time since 2016 and 2017, Georgia didn't have a running back in the first two rounds of the draft.
The school produced running backs Todd Gurley in 2015, Sony Michel in 2018, first round in 2018, Nick Chubb in 2018, D'Andre Swift in 2020, and James Cook in 2022. .
Kenny McIntosh was a seventh-round pick in 2023. Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards went undrafted this year and signed as free agents.
Trevor Etienne, a transfer from Florida, had a big junior season with the Bulldogs and is considered the focal point of the offense and will have a chance to change that.
“He's a good back,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said after the G-Day spring game. “He's explosive. He's quick in and out of holes. He's different than what we had. I think the Swift analogy is good, and the Cook analogy is good.”
Even if Etienne doesn't go as high up in the draft as Cook or Swift (Texas second-round pick Jonathon Brooks was only drafted as a running back before the third round this year), he'll be drafted in 2022. could be within Zamir White's range. In the fourth round.
“I think he brings a lot of explosiveness,” said wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, a former teammate of Etienne's at the University of Florida and a first-round pick of the 49ers last week. “He's an explosive runner. Anytime he has the ball in his hands, he can make explosive plays.”
The 5-foot-9, 205-pound Etienne ran up the middle on G-Day, gaining 24 rushing yards on four carries and showing off his pass-catching ability out of the backfield with three catches. He showed a good burst of performance. 33 yards.
“On the field, you know what he's capable of,” offensive tackle Ernest Green said. “He's a really great back. He's really explosive, he's got really good eyes, good vision. He's going to set up holes.”
Defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat was part of a Missouri defense that Etienne rushed for 88 yards on 10 carries in 2022, including a 39-yard run. Jeffcoat transferred to Arkansas, and Etienne rushed for 80 yards on 12 carries, including a 26-yard touchdown run against the Razorbacks last season.
“He can see an opening and grab it,” Jeffcoat said.
Jacksonville's fourth-round pick, defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson, watched Etienne rush up close on the day he scored seven, 21 and five touchdowns in a 52-35 win at LSU last season. I was looking.
“Trevor is a really great player,” Jefferson said. “Twitch has speed.”
Etienne came to Georgia after rushing for 1,472 yards and 15 touchdowns with 30 catches for 238 yards and one touchdown in two seasons at the University of Florida, but needs to improve his pass protection. There was also a reputation for it.
“He takes real personal pride in his defense,” Smart said. “He's learning the offense. I mean, this guy has been a good SEC player his two years. He's not like a freshman.”
Etienne was arrested on March 24 for drunk driving and reckless driving and will be suspended for Georgia's season opener against Clemson in Atlanta.
“I'm proud of the way he's handled everything since signing,” Smart said.
Players continue to praise him for what he brought to the program.
“He's a great fit for the locker room. He's a really upbeat guy,” Green said. “He always gives me energy.”
Smart said this spring: “In terms of his effort and practice habits, we've been putting a lot of effort into him and encouraging him to run the ball and pass the last defender. He's a sponge. He's absorbed it. He enjoyed being pushed.”
