Clemson Football: 5 current Tigers who are outplaying their star-ratings

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Head Coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers runs off the field after a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on September 14, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Head Coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers runs off the field after a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on September 14, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers runs the ball against Jordan Fuller #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers runs the ball against Jordan Fuller #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

2. Travis Etienne

Travis Etienne almost went to Texas A&M and then was offered late by Clemson. A product of Louisiana, it was a longshot that he ended up with the Tigers, but yet here he is.

Etienne earned a 4-star rating in the 247 Sports’ Composite player rankings late, but was still considered the No. 213 overall player nationally and just the 15th best running back in the class. He also was ranked as the 9th-best player in the state of Louisiana.

Well, three years later, Etienne is the all-time rushing leader for the Clemson football program and has also broken the ACC record for total touchdowns. He made his decision to return for the 2020 season despite receiving a second-round draft grade and is in position to compete for the Heisman Trophy and become a high first-rounder with another solid year.

He certainly has already proved to be more than just your average 4-star RB.

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