Hail Florida Hail
Fansided

Florida football: Trevor Etienne shines bright for Gators in defeat to Kentucky

By Benjamin Henderson

Sep 10, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

When Billy Napier took over as the Florida football head coach, he had to salvage a recruiting class that was left in disarray by Dan Mullen. Napier did what he could, but the damage had already been done and the Gators finished 17th overall in recruiting for 2022.

One bright spot was securing the commitment of running back Trevor Etienne and two games into his career, Etienne looks like he could be a star.

Florida football: Trevor Etienne shines bright

Etienne hails from Jennings, Louisiana, and was a four-star prospect rated as the 14th best running back for the class of 2022. His older brother, Travis, was a star at Clemson and is currently the featured running back with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Napier was able to secure Etienne’s commitment in short order over Clemson, but there still wasn’t a reason to believe Etienne would be a contributor right away. Even though Florida football had to replace the bulk of its backfield heading into 2022, the expectation was still for Montrell Johnson, Nay’Quan Wright, and Lorenzo Lingard to crowd the backfield and make it hard for Etienne to get carries as a true freshman.

Credit to Napier for playing the best guy regardless of seniority.

In 14 carries, Etienne already has 110 yards rushing for a Florida football best of 7.9 yards per carry. He is still behind Wright and Johnson for total carries, but it wouldn’t be hard to see Etienne start to eat up Wright’s carries.

Johnson came with Napier from Louisiana and beyond his fumble on the opening drive vs Utah, Johnson has held his own. Wright however has yet to have his signature moment and with 66 yards off 18 carries, his 3.5 yards per carry is well below the other two.

Plus, Wright was the targeted receiver on Anthony Richardson’s pick-six against Kentucky. Was Wright supposed to stay in the flat instead of continuing his route? Only Napier and company can truly answer what the route was supposed to be.

But if Wright was wrong, it would be foolish of Napier to continue to force the ball to him when Etienne has been far more dynamic. Mullen lost his job in Gainesville because he didn’t want to play guys based on performance (glancing menacingly at Dameon Pierce).

Against USF, a variety of guys will probably get their shot. But against Tennessee, number seven should continue to see his workload increase

Keep up with all things Florida football with Hail Florida Hail.

Home/Florida Gators Football