Before breaking records at Clemson, Travis Etienne literally could not be tackled in high school

Clemson football fans might have realized just how awesome Travis Etienne would become for the Tigers watching one particular high school highlight.

When putting together a highlight reel, it’s important to capture the audience’s imagination early. A jaw-dropping play is always a good place to start.

That’s what makes Travis Etienne’s high school highlight reel so excellent.

You only have to watch the very first play to understand what a monster of a player he could be.

It’s like something between a classic Reggie Bush highlight that morphs into something Ricky Williams might have pulled off. He scampered around the backfield, then kept his feet churning once he got caught. There was dancing, driving and ultimately paydirt. The combination of it all forms something magnificent.

Travis Etienne was a beast in high school and college

There was no certainty Etienne would end up being as good a college running back as he became. He was a four-star in the 247Sports composite, ranking No. 213 nationally and No. 15 at his position. Still, his 2,459 yards and 35 touchdowns for Jennings HS in Louisiana proved his productivity.

In no time at all, Etienne proved the scouts underestimated him. He rushed for 766 yards and 13 touchdowns as a true freshman before putting together back-to-back 1,600-yard seasons in 218 and 2019. Even in a more muted senior campaign, he had 914 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Tigers.

As an NFL Draft prospect, he’s plenty exciting. Depending on who you ask, he could be the first or second running back off the board along with Alabama’s Najee Harris, another member of the 2017 recruiting class who dominated college football.

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