32 college football players destined to be future first round picks

32 college football players destined to be future first round NFL Draft picks

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scores a first quarter touchdown reception past Tanner Muse #19 of the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX DECEMBER 29: Clemson (9) Travis Etienne (RB) runs the ball in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Clemson Tigers on December 29, 2018, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

15. Travis Etienne – Running back, Clemson

Speed, speed and more speed is what you think about when you watch Travis Etienne play. After a very productive freshman season, Etienne put his name entirely on the map in 2018 as he rushed for 1,658 yards and 24 touchdowns which led to him winning ACC Player of the Year.

On a team that is so dynamic passing the ball, and was part of many blowouts, Etienne didn’t get a chance a carry the load as the only went over 15 carries three times in 2018. However, his speed and ability to create yards helped him have eight 100 yard rushing games including a 200-yard performance against Syracuse.

So if there is even a speck of daylight Etienne is going to hit it, and he can turn it into a big play. He led the ACC in runs of 10-plus yards with 44 which was nine more than the second place running back. And unlike most players that have his speed, Etienne is a no-nonsense runner that gets downhill quickly and is not easy to take down ranking in the top 10 nationally in yards after contact with 884.

The question Etienne will have to answer this season is if he can be a reliable option in the passing game because he’s only had 17 receptions in two seasons. But his ability as a runner is fully established and he could be the first back off the board.

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