Tua Tagovailoa outclasses fellow Heisman hopefuls with beaming colors. While that talent gap appeals no contestors, Clemson’s Travis Etienne is stirring the pot for the outright Heisman frontrunner.
Etienne piqued Heisman appeal — finally — after consecutive three touchdown outings versus Wake Forest and Syracuse. His 9.2 YPC is second in the FBS, first in power-five, and his 11 rushing touchdowns is fourth in the nation. With Dabo Swinney’s quarterback changes being mostly cosmetic, Etienne’s upped assignment sits him among the nations elites and a Heisman hopeful.
But, Etienne’s true impact can be assessed through efficiency statistics. He’s directly responsible for 33% of Clemson’s offensive touchdowns, more than Kelly Bryant and Trevor Lawrence, and reaches the endzone on 13% of his touches. His narrative isn’t as glittery as Tua’s or Kyler Murray’s, but he’s currently on pace for a New York invite.
