The future plans of star running back Trevor Etienne were apparently made public on Tuesday, and his fate is one of the numerous mysteries surrounding Georgia after its elimination from the College Football Playoff.
Under head coach Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs won another SEC title this season, although they lost to Notre Dame, ranked seventh, in the Sugar Bowl playoff round.
With roster attrition as a result of the transfer portal and the NFL draft, Georgia has a lot of planning to do for 2025 and beyond after an 11-3 season. UGA has already lost 12 players to transfers, while 11 Bulldogs have declared for this year’s draft.
Prior to the 2024 season, Etienne, a junior, transferred from rival Florida to Georgia. He led the team in rushing touchdowns (9) with 609 yards on 122 carries (5.0-yard average) and started all nine of his games this season.
Because of his accomplishments, the first-year Bulldog was chosen for the Coaches All-SEC third team.
With his eligibility to enter the 2025 NFL draft, Etienne may follow in the footsteps of his brother, Travis Etienne Jr., a tailback for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, Mike Griffith of Dawgnation reports that Etienne has told Smart and the UGA staff that he will be returning to Athens for the upcoming season.
“Etienne met with coach Kirby Smart on Tuesday to inform him of his decision, per a source close to the Etienne family,” Griffith wrote
With more than 1,400 yards rushing in 24 games as a Gator, Etienne (5-foot-9, 205 pounds) was the most seasoned back on Georgia’s squad this season. However, his injury kept him out of three games, thus the Dawgs had to use Nate Frazier, a true freshman.
On his route to being named Freshman All-SEC, Frazier, a former four-star, led the team in rushing attempts (133) and yards (671) with eight touchdowns. The Bulldogs may have one of the best tailback rooms in the SEC the following season as Etienne is anticipated to return.
On August 30, Georgia will play Marshall at home to begin the 2025 campaign.
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