Fansided

First look at the top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates for 2019

By Cody Williams

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Alabama Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa poses with the Heisman Trophy at the New York Stock Exchange on December 7, 2018 at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Alabama Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa poses with the Heisman Trophy at the New York Stock Exchange on December 7, 2018 at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 01: Clemson Tigers running back Travis Etienne (9) 75 yard rushing touchdown in the first series of the ACC Championship game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Clemson Tigers on December 01,2018 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte,NC. (Photo by Dannie Walls/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 01: Clemson Tigers running back Travis Etienne (9) 75 yard rushing touchdown in the first series of the ACC Championship game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Clemson Tigers on December 01,2018 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte,NC. (Photo by Dannie Walls/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

The best decision that Dabo Swinney could’ve made for the Clemson Tigers in the 2018 season was sticking with true freshman Trevor Lawrence as his starting quarterback after holding a competition through the first four games between the youngster and incumbent start Kelly Bryant. Lawrence has been a revelation for the Tigers, but the heart of the Clemson offense has been the man in the backfield with him, running back Travis Etienne.

The sophomore ball-carrier was dynamic and explosive throughout the 2018 season and was the biggest catalyst for the Clemson offense. The Tigers running back, however, only carried the ball 176 times on the year. What he did with those carries, though, was immensely impressive as the running back went for 1,463 yards on the year, good for an amazing 8.3 yards per carry. What’s more, the Clemson running back rushed for 21 touchdowns on the year.

Though Lawrence is no doubt going to be a star for the Tigers offense in the 2019 season, Etienne will also be back and he’s far too talented to not continue to be a featured part of that unit. He’s a big play waiting to happen, but he’s also got the frame and talent to be a bell-cow back as well.

Ultimately, Etienne isn’t the best 2019 Heisman Trophy candidate on Clemson’s roster (more on that in a bit), but he’s going to be one of the best running backs in the country next season and, with more work, should be near unstoppable.

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