Clemson football: The recruiting pitch for 4-star RB Trevor Etienne

The top running back target for the Clemson football program in the class of 2022 is 4-star RB Trevor Etienne, the younger brother of Travis Etienne.

Etienne is rated as the No. 13 running back in the nation and the No. 12 overall player from the state of Louisiana, according to 247 Sports’ composite player rankings.

He was in town for Clemson’s inaugural Elite Retreat this past weekend and seemingly had a great time visiting with the coaching staff.

Etienne was the lone offensive prospect on campus for the retreat who wasn’t already committed to Clemson football and the overarching belief coming out of the event- in which 5-star RB Branson Robinson decided not to attend- is that Etienne is the top target for the Tigers at the running back position.

https://twitter.com/Trevor_Etienne/status/1404138402828767242

Last weekend, Etienne released a top 10 group that included Clemson, Penn State, Georgia, Florida State, Florida, Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, Auburn and Tennessee.

The Clemson football recruiting pitch for Trevor Etienne

New Running Backs Coach C.J. Spiller is the primary recruiter for Etienne and it does seem he has built a solid relationship so far with the talented prospect.

By all accounts, the main reservation Etienne has about coming to the Clemson football program is that he doesn’t want to be constantly compared to his brother. Travis Etienne left Clemson possibly as the best running back in the program’s history and Trevor doesn’t want to constantly have to deal with that kind of comparison. He wants to make a name for himself.

That’s exactly why Spiller’s recruiting pitch is perfect.

Tigernet’s David Hood reported that Clemson feels it has a great shot with him.

"” I have asked how much Clemson is in the mix and even mentioned that Mike Davis had no interest in following James Davis to Clemson and wondered if it was much the same thing. And I’ve heard what CJ Spiller has told him and it’s great: CJ has told him that no matter where he goes, he will still be Travis Etienne’s little brother until he makes his own name. If he goes to Bama, still Travis’ little brother til he makes his own. If he goes to LSU, still Travs’ little brother until he makes his own name, etc,” Hood wrote."

This is a brilliant pitch and a great point from Spiller.

Etienne is going to be mentioned in the same breath as his brother no matter where he goes. If he stays home at LSU, if he goes to Alabama, Texas A&M, Penn State or anywhere else. Until he gets on the field and makes the most of his opportunities, he’s always going to have that comparison follow him no matter where he goes.

So, why not come to Clemson? It’s a place where you know you’ll be set up to succeed and a place your brother has absolutely gushed over for the past four years. He’s already at home with the coaching staff and it was a special enough place to Travis Etienne that he decided to stick around for an extra year rather than go ahead and pursue his NFL dreams.

I still believe the SEC appeal is real with Trevor Etienne and that might be the route he chooses to take, but the Tigers are still heavily involved and they are making headway as his recruitment continues.