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Georgia running back Trevor Etienne will not be back with the program in 2025. The ball carrier announced his intentions to leave Athens on Tuesday.
The news came as a shock to many close to the Bulldogs. Etienne had reportedly made it clear that he’d planned to stay.
The tailback played just one season with UGA after transferring in from rival Florida. With the Gators, he recorded back-to-back 700-yard campaigns. He experienced a bit of a dip with his new program last year, but still ran for 609 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns.
A junior, he had a decision to make at season’s end. Return to boost draft stock or move onto the NFL? Initially, the belief was that he’d intended to play his senior year with the Bulldogs.
Trevor Etienne is running it back in Athens for 2025! Sources say he met with Coach Smart and made it clear—he’s coming back to chase a degree, boost his draft stock, and compete for another national title. DawgNation, how big is this for Georgia’s championship hopes? #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/HtZUpJDFwH
— DawgNation (@DawgNation) January 8, 2025
“A source very close to Trevor, that knows his situation well, told me he met with Coach Smart to let him know he planned on coming back.”
Reasoning behind that decision involved one last shot at a national title, as well as the ability to earn his college degree.
Days later, he sang a different tune. Trevor Etienne announced his future plans with a post on Instagram on Tuesday. He’ll move onto the NFL Draft, ending his career at Georgia.
View this post on Instagram
The move was surprising given that previous promise. It makes sense in every other facet, though.
The running back position has largely been devalued at the professional level. Barring a breakout senior season, there’s not much Etienne can do to significantly boost draft stock.
By leaving a year early, he can get a head start in the NFL. While NIL would’ve offered the running back a chance to make money in college, the lifespan of a pro rusher is short. Getting to the league as quickly as possible can prove paramount, especially when trying to land that second contract.
Etienne’s decision is certainly a blow to the Bulldogs, who’d believed he’d be in the backfield next fall. They’ll now have to fill the void elsewhere with either a new addition or a player further down the depth chart.