Clemson Football: 5 best players through the first seven games

4. Travis Etienne, RB

Travis Etienne has been Clemson’s biggest surprise of the 2017 season. Coming out of high school, Etienne was rated modestly as a three-star prospect. He has played like a five-star tailback thus far.

The true freshman leads Clemson in rushing with 51 carries for 446 yards and six touchdowns on the year. He is averaging over eight yards per carry, which ranks seventh nationally.

Etienne is sturdily built at 5-foot-10, 200 pounds. He is not much heavier than any of the other backs on Clemson’s roster, however, he runs with an unrivaled physicality. Etienne is one of the most explosive rushers in the country, with startling top-end speed.

Clemson’s rushing attack is set for the next three to four years as the Tigers have talented sophomore, Tavien Feaster to go along with Etienne.