Trevor Etienne stacking up preseason watch list recognition

Georgia running back Trevor Etienne has seen his name on several award watch lists ahead of the 2024 season. Expected to take on a bigger role with the Bulldogs than he did his first two seasons at Florida, Etienne has been included on watch lists for the Maxwell Award, the Paul Hornung Award and most recently, the Doak Walker Award.

A native of Jennings, Louisiana, Etienne, the younger brother of former Clemson standout and Jacksonville Jaguars star Travis, chose Florida out of high school as he looked for a different experience. He knew what it’d be like to play at LSU and live in Baton Rouge and had been along for the journey with his brother at Clemson. Georgia was among the schools he considered, but the Bulldogs instead signed Branson Robinson and added Andrew Paul to the class late.

Etienne has been one of the best backs in the SEC over the course of two seasons at Florida, and the hope in Athens is that he’ll continue to do exactly that for Georgia. Etienne finished second on Florida’s roster in rushing in back to back seasons, topping the 700-yard mark each year. Only making matters more impressive is the fact that he did it in a two-headed workhorse backfield alongside Montrell Johnson. Etienne averaged more yards per attempt than Johnson with 6.09 as a freshman and 5.75 as a sophomore. He also managed to add a dynamic ability as a pass catcher.

This past season, Etienne had what he has described as the best game of his career in an upset victory over Tennessee. Rushing for 172 yards on 23 attempts including a 62-yarder, Etienne helped lead the Gators to the win with a touchdown. Later in the season, he also had a three-touchdown day against LSU, recording 925 total yards (753 rushing, 172 receiving) and nine touchdowns on the season with double-digit touches in all but one game.

Etienne ran into some trouble this offseason with an arrest in March, however, charges of DUI less safe and DUI under 21 were dismissed while he pled no contest to a reckless driving charge. Etienne was also guilty for underage possession of alcohol, failure to maintain lane and a window tint violation, all amounting to 12 months of probation, an $852 fine as well as a $45 per month supervision fee. He will have to complete a substance abuse evaluation, 40 hours of community service, an alcohol risk reduction program and is subject to random drug and alcohol screenings.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart made mention of suspensions that will happen for the Bulldogs early in the season but did not name specific names. As a result, it remains unclear of Etienne’s status for the season against Clemson on August 31st, however, when on the field, he’ll be a factor in an explosive UGA offense.

Etienne’s inclusion on the Doak Walker Award watch list is the latest to come for Georgia this preseason – a full list of which can be found below. The Bulldogs had 15 players included on the All-SEC squads voted on at Media Days and were selected as the preseason favorite to take home the conference title. On Monday, UGA was announced as the top-ranked team in the Coaches Poll to start the season with the AP Poll potentially releasing the same ranking next week.

GEORGIA BULLDOGS INCLUDED ON WATCH LISTS

QB Carson Beck – Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award
RB Trevor Etienne – Maxwell Award, Paul Hornung Award, Doak Walker Award
OL Dylan Fairchild – Outland Trophy
OL Tate Ratledge – Outland Trophy
OL Xavier Truss – Outland Trophy
DL Nazir Stackhouse – Outland Trophy
DL Mykel Williams – Nagurski Trophy
LB Smael Mondon – Nagurski Trophy
DB Daylen Everette – Thorpe Award
DB Malaki Starks – Nagurski Trophy, Thorpe Award, Walker Camp Award
P Brett Thorson – Ray Guy Award
K Peyton Woodring – Lou Groza Award

UPCOMING WATCH LIST ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thu., Aug. 8: Davey O’Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 9: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
Mon., Aug. 12: Bednarik Award
Tue., Aug. 13: Butkus Award