Clemson Football: 5 Reasons Travis Etienne made the right decision

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Running back Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers is tackled by linebacker Tuf Borland #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Buckeyes 29-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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CLEMSON, SC – NOVEMBER 24: Keisean Nixon #9 of the South Carolina Gamecocks tackles Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers during their game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

1. Money talks

With the NFL Draft being as stacked as it is, Etienne overall made a money decision.

There’s a huge difference in overall contract worth for the No. 1 or No. 2 overall running back taken in a draft versus the No. 4 or No. 5 running back taken.

Should we assume that Etienne would’ve gone No. 5 this year and he goes No. 1 next year- in terms of running backs- he is going to make somewhere between $9-$11 million extra next season than he would’ve made this year by declaring, according to the trend set by previous RB contracts.

Because running backs have a short shelf life, they need that first contract to be the best. There’s no guarantee that a running back is even going to get a second contract, so they want to make the most on the first one.

dark. Next. 2020 Defensive Line depth is unreal

When looking at that fact, it’s pretty simple to see why Etienne is returning for his senior season. Money talks and he’s making a decision that he believes is going to greatly affect his family as a result.

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