A sophomore running back has hit the transfer portal in a move that could really shake up college football.
According to 247Sports, Florida Gators star Trevor Ettienne has told his coaches that he plans on transferring ahead of the 2024 season.
“Gator Nation,” the player wrote in a letter, “what a ride it has been! I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to put on the Orange and Blue every Saturday, going to war with my teammates who would become my brothers for life.
“With that, I would like to thank coach (Billy) Napier and the entire Gator staff for the continued support and guidance in my time at UF a special thank you to coach (Jabbar) Juluke for being a great teacher, mentor, and role model in these past two years. You’ve undoubtedly made me a better man both on and off the field. My time as a gator was an invaluable experience and one that I will cherish for years to come.”
Etienne was one of the program’s best-performing players over the past two seasons, having rushed for a total of 1,472 yards over the aforementioned period, scoring eight touchdowns.
The decision has been described as “jarring” for Florida following a two-year stretch in which they’ve gone 11-14 under head coach Billy Napier.
It appears things could be a lot worse unless he could work wonders with the roster, especially given a 2024 schedule that will throw non-conference games against Miami, UCF, Florida State, and Samford, as well as conference matchups against Texas A&M, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Texas.
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“Trevor is one of our best,” Napier said last month. “He’s not only one of the best competitors and players that we have, but he’s also one of the better young men in our program. His leadership, his work habits, the way he treats people, I mean he’s a class act. He’s been raised the right way. And he’s an elite competitor.”
The running back became just the fourth true freshman to record over 700 yards in program history, joining Emmitt Smith, Tony Green, and Fred Taylor when he rushed for 719 yards at an average of 6.1 yards per carry in 2022.
