Trevor Etienne emerging as leader early in time at Georgia

ATHENS, Ga. — Spring practice just started in Athens, and a newcomer already seems to be emerging as a leader for the Bulldogs. Former Florida running back Trevor Etienne chose Georgia out of the transfer portal in December. He arrived on campus in January and has done nothing but fit right in.

“I think we’re always changing and evolving. If anything, it’s how you cultivate your team each year because your team changes so much each year … That new part of your team, integrating it into the culture and what you believe. There’s nothing that says those guys can’t be good leaders,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said.

“Everything that we heard about Etienne before he got here has held true,” he continued. “He’s a tremendous leader, he’s a high-character kid. He immediately surges into a leadership role because he’s not a first-year player. He’s been in our league, he’s been in our conference, he has standards and expectations and he’s high character, and he’s proven that in the time he’s been here.”

Ask Etienne’s new teammates and they’ll tell you the same thing. Having played against him for two seasons in Georgia’s biggest rivalry game, the Bulldogs are happy to have him on their side now.

“It always helps to have a good running back where you feel comfortable turning your back to the defense and handing it off,” Georgia quarterback Carson Beck said. “Obviously we saw what he was able to do at Florida. We’re really happy to have him, he’s been working really hard and we’re excited to see what he can do.”

“He’s a great player. He’s a dynamic back,” added Mykel Williams. “I’ve spent time with him, not as much as I’m going to spend with him. I can’t wait to see what he can do for us.”

In two seasons at Florida, Etienne racked up over 1,700 total yards and 15 touchdowns in 24 games. The Jennings, La. native topped the 700-yard mark both as a freshman and sophomore while sharing the backfield, averaging at least 5.75 yards per attempt each season.

This past season against Georgia, the Bulldog defense limited him to just 42 yards on 7 carries and one reception for a single yard. In thinking back on playing against Etienne, UGA linebacker Smael Mondon couldn’t help but smirk. He remembered a big play against his new teammate, a fourth down tackle for loss in which it looked like Etienne was pulling up for a halfback pass. Mondon said he hasn’t let Etienne hear the end of that one.

 “That was really the first thing I said to him when I seen him. I’m like, ‘Why did y’all try to do that?'” Mondon joked. “As far as, like, what he brings to the team, he’s a really good running back — you know, an explosive back. The guys in the locker room, he fits right in with us. It was like he basically was here with us. And I feel like he fits right in with the team — you know, the team culture, and I feel like he’s going to help us do a lot this year.”

Etienne will have the opportunity to play behind a veteran offensive line featuring four players with at least nine games of starting experience and several others that spent time on the field as part of a deep rotation. It’s something Etienne admitted to being excited about during a recent appearance on the podcast of one of those offensive linemen – Tate Ratledge. On the flip side of the equation, there’s equal amounts of anticipation to see what the combination can do together.

“He’s meshed really well with everybody. He came in, he’s a good personality,” Ratledge said. “He’s really gotten along with everybody. We’ve really brought him into our family. Looking forward to seeing what he can do this spring.”

Overall, there’s a huge sense of hope when it comes to what Georgia can accomplish this season, and Etienne is a large part of that. The Bulldogs will have 15 practices this spring to begin pinpointing his exact role including the annual G-Day spring game for fans to see Etienne in action at Sanford Stadium on April 13th.