Texas A&M vs. Clemson: Top 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch

1. Travis Etienne, RB Clemson

If Trevor Lawrence was an eligible prospect, he’d top this list. But Travis Etienne is no consolation prize. As a true freshman in 2017, he scored 13 touchdowns on the ground with a 7.2 yards per carry average, setting the stage for what was to come from the running back.

How’d he do when he became the focal point of the offense? In 2018, he averaged over eight yards per carry with 24 rushing touchdowns. The 5-10, 200-pound ball-carrier isn’t unlike one of his predecessors with the Tigers, C.J. Spiller. He’s a dynamic runner who that makes everyone miss one-on-one.

Don’t mistake him for just an outside runner, though. He’s a one-cut runner who doesn’t hesitate to hit the hole. He shoots out of the backfield like a rocket. In the open field, he has a second gear that makes him a true game-breaker and dynamic big-play threat.

Yes, Etienne is a bit thin, but he runs powerfully with great balance. He fights through contact and doesn’t go down easy. Some may look at him and question his size but his tenacity and running style make him a great prospect. If he catches more passes this season, his stock could rise.

Nevertheless, Etienne will likely hear his name called in the mid to late first-round pick as he’s a versatile prospect that fits into any scheme and could be the top back in the 2020 NFL Draft.